How do I tell colleague not to go for job I'm applying for?

[Funkyslippers]

I'm applying for a job and they invited me to the open day for a tour & informal chat. I was looking up where they are based and realised they are within walking distance of where I live. I was quite taken aback as I thought they were further away so I told a colleague (and friend) about it, mainly in passing. She's also told me about other jobs she's gone for. After the tour I texted her 'just incase you're interested, the company is really good etc' as I thought she'd like to know how I got on. She then said it sounded great and checked the name of the company with me. I now realise that because I put 'incase you're interested' she now thinks I'm telling her that she should apply too! How do I gently tell her that wasn't what I meant and I'd rather she didn't apply too! She wouldn't have known about it if I hadn't told her

[GG1986]

Never tell people when you are applying for jobs, you only tell them once you have actually got the job. The way I would have read your text is that you are saying if she is interested she should apply too.

[Odile13]

Well, you can’t tell her really. Now she knows, she can do whatever she wants. It’s one of those lessons learned - don’t tell people what jobs you’re applying for.

[theemmadilemma]

Call it a life lesson.

[AlisonDonut]

What a plum.

Next time keep it to yourself.

[Beseen22]

My friends and I send each other jobs all the time and would say incase you are interested. If its a work friend I would be equally qualified and assume they were saying "this is in our field and looks like something you would love but not what I'm interested in.

I think you are just going to have to let the most suitable candidate win.

[Deathbyfluffy]

@Funkyslippers

Yeah but she wouldn't have been interested if I hadn't said 'incase you're interested'. She hasn't said she's applying but the fact she checked the company's name makes me think she might!

Then why say 'incase you're interested'?!
This one's entirely on you, that's a heck of a clanger to drop.

[fajitaaa]

@seven201

Oh dear! You can't stop her. All you can do is send a message saying "ha, just realised my 'in case you're interested' message made it sound like you should look at the job too! Not what I meant". Word it better than that though. You definitely can't ask her not to apply!

That would make me think the job is amazing and more likely to apply for it

[ididntknowthat11]

So what did you mean by "in case you're interested"?

The only meaning I can infer is "in case you're interested in working here"

?

[TeaParty4Me]

I think you need to just put this one down as an error on your part.

I personally don’t tell anyone what jobs I’m applying for unless they specifically ask and even then I might not tell them.

If you big a job and company up then of course other people are going to apply.

[HelpMeGetThrough]

I told a colleague (and friend) about it, mainly in passing.

This is why I never have colleagues as friends. You play your cards very close to your chest with anyone you work with.

[Effieswig]

@Funkyslippers

Yeah but she wouldn't have been interested if I hadn't said 'incase you're interested'. She hasn't said she's applying but the fact she checked the company's name makes me think she might!

But you did tell her. And said ‘if you are interested’.

At this point what she does is completely up to her.

[Chickenkeev]

@Deathbyfluffy

Then why say 'incase you're interested'?!
This one's entirely on you, that's a heck of a clanger to drop.

Agree with this. You should have kept the specifics to yourself. On your own head be it.

[Galatine]

Tough, but you can't put the Genie back into the bottle!

[TheApplianceofScience]

Loose lips sink ships.

[AngryGreasedSantaCatcus]

@seven201

Oh dear! You can't stop her. All you can do is send a message saying "ha, just realised my 'in case you're interested' message made it sound like you should look at the job too! Not what I meant". Word it better than that though. You definitely can't ask her not to apply!

There's no wording it better because basically it boils down to "I wanted to brag about this great job but I don't want you to apply for it".

[dontgobaconmyheart]

The best candidate will get the job at the end of the day, whether that's her or any of the other applicants, all of whom are more than entitled to apply regardless of where they saw or heard about it.

There isn't anything you can do, or should do about this OP, other than brush up for the interview should you get a formal one and hope you are the best candidate for the role.

[Showersugar]

I have friends in the same industry as me, and one very much at the same level, we often share job opportunities with each other and have found ourselves up against each other at interview. It's sisterly, we support each other! One even paid for some career coaching a few years back and fed back some of what she learned to me for free (and very helpful it was too!).

So basically, just pretend you're super cool like me and my successful friends. I mean, us lot on this thread know that not to be true but sod it, we're just strangers on the Internet right?!

[IglesiasPiggl]

When I apply for a job, the only people I tell are DH, my mum and my very dear friend who has no interest in the same field. This is why!

[MushMonster]

Lol, you made your bed, now sleep on it!
You are noone to go around telling people what to do.

[Parisj]

I agree with the jokey 'But please don't apply!'

[SunnySaturdayMorning]

@Funkyslippers

Yeah but she wouldn't have been interested if I hadn't said 'incase you're interested'. She hasn't said she's applying but the fact she checked the company's name makes me think she might!

But she is interested now. If she wants to apply, she can apply. It’s nothing to do with you.

[WillowtreeHouse]

@Funkyslippers

Yeah but she wouldn't have been interested if I hadn't said 'incase you're interested'. She hasn't said she's applying but the fact she checked the company's name makes me think she might!

You made a mistake, you can't seriously think that you can tell her not to apply. That would be ridiculous.

Someone told me about a job once, the one I have now (specifically for me to apply) and when I pointed out that it might suit her too she said she wasn't interested in applying herself. She was a bit embarrassed when I bumped into her at the interview.

[Lochjeda]

You can't 🤣 four of my colleagues went for the same role yesterday. You can't stop people applying. You just need to hope you are the best candidate and give the best interview. The best person will get it.

[DrMarciaFieldstone]

@Funkyslippers

Yeah but she wouldn't have been interested if I hadn't said 'incase you're interested'. She hasn't said she's applying but the fact she checked the company's name makes me think she might!

Doesn’t matter though, you can’t stop her (or anyone)

[Lochjeda]

@Lochjeda

You can't 🤣 four of my colleagues went for the same role yesterday. You can't stop people applying. You just need to hope you are the best candidate and give the best interview. The best person will get it.

And just to add they were all being supportive of each other and cheering each other on with the may the best candidate win.