Job adverts written with a specific person in mind

35 replies

Mygardenandme · 25/11/2025 14:31

Just a moan really. I knew there was a job coming up in a team I want to work in. Given what the job is and my experience, I thought I'd have a chance.

Someone on the team knows I was planning to apply and thought the same. They just forwarded me the final draft of the job advert. It's confidential but they wanted to give me a heads up so I wasnt disappointed.

It's so specific and prescriptive, it's obviously written with someone in mind. I dont know who but it says things like "must have this specific qualification". It's an internal role and the qualification is quite obscure and not at all related to what we do as an organisation. There are various other points.

I know it happens. I guess Id rather know I dont have a chance before putting loads of effort in but I'm disappointed and frustrated.

OP posts:

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 25/11/2025 15:19

If you can’t evidence any of the competencies, why are you so keen to work in the team?

Limered · 25/11/2025 15:05

They’ve asked for an obscure qualification that has nothing to do with the job? So, using your teaching analogy, the job is run a GCSE blog and they’ve asked for a gardening qualification? Because they know the person they want has one?

Tamfs · 25/11/2025 15:05

Apply anyway. Regardless. Just had a similar process at work (not a job I wanted) and the person that got it didn't meet several of the essential criteria.

BoldNavyCritic · 25/11/2025 15:01

I'm in a totally different sort of sector but my last two jobs have been specifically created for me and totally dependent on my particular very unusual skillset, yet both have had to be advertised externally in line with standard policy (two different companies). I don't think anyone else applied for either, but I have always wondered what purpose this serves, really. It must be really frustrating for any other candidate there might be and yet also adds to the stress for the person who is lined up for the job.

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/11/2025 15:01

You know the statistic that men apply for jobs they are around 60% qualified for and women 100%.

You can do the job. Style the application out. It's great experience to do it anyway!

Original poster

Mygardenandme · 25/11/2025 14:55

Thanks all, it is so specific I can't even attempt it. Of the 5 essential criteria, I can evidence 1 at a push. I cant evidence any of the desirable. I'm just wasting my time.

I can do the job but I cant blag the criteria with my experience. It's not teaching but imagine the essential criteria is someone with 3 years of teaching maths to 3 year olds in a classroom when I have 2 years of marking GCSE Spanish exam papers at home and the job is writing a GCSE blog.

I've no idea who the person it's written for is. I cant put the person who sent me the advert on the spot by asking them.

I'll drop the manager an email once the job is out saying Im disappointed I cant apply for this one but keep me in mind for other things. But worded better.

I'll get over it. I'm just disappointed because the last job I was successful in got it's funding withdrawn.

OP posts:

purplecorkheart · 25/11/2025 14:38

Apply anyway. Sounds like they want to keep the job internal and put off the external applications.

Stormywalks · 25/11/2025 14:37

Still apply so that you are on the radar and short list. If you don’t get this one you will be considered for the next.

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/11/2025 14:36

Apply anyway. But also have a think about what it is that makes this person the person they want to promote. Sometimes there's a very good reason for that. And thinking about it dispassionately may help with next time.

SoScarletItWas · 25/11/2025 14:34

I would still apply. You could be mistaken and it’s not definite that anyone has the qualification. And in applying you show that you’re interested in progression. You have nothing to lose!

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