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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder if anyone has ever had a job earmarked for them?

51 replies

SnugShaker · 13/08/2025 15:18

I’ve heard of situations where a job is advertised but it’s essentially made with someone specific in mind. Sometimes, it feels like the best candidates in interviews are just part of a formality, and other times, a job is put out there so a particular person can apply. And then, when that person does apply, the job mysteriously gets closed.

Has anyone had this happen to them or am I just being paranoid?

OP posts:
XanLovesHaribo · 13/08/2025 15:21

SnugShaker · 13/08/2025 15:18

I’ve heard of situations where a job is advertised but it’s essentially made with someone specific in mind. Sometimes, it feels like the best candidates in interviews are just part of a formality, and other times, a job is put out there so a particular person can apply. And then, when that person does apply, the job mysteriously gets closed.

Has anyone had this happen to them or am I just being paranoid?

Happens all the time - in fact DH is about to start a role that this happened on.

He is an expert in a particular system in use at this company. They have a policy that all roles need to be advertised externally, even though he's one of only a handful of people in the world that know this system. Yes, someone else could learn it, but it would take a couple of years of intensive training to get up to his level.