Would you apply?

[MotherOfGodWeeFella]

I've been effectively acting up at work since my boss left a couple of months ago. My reporting line has changed and I've been working much more collaboratively with new boss than I did with the old one. New boss is fronting the function within the business and telling colleagues it's me doing the work. They don't want old boss's job as they have their own.

Should I apply for old boss's job? New boss has told me I can do the job, but higher management are looking for someone with more experience in some aspects of the role. It's been suggested with more experience I'd be ready for that in a few years' time.

I'm underpaid in my current role btw - by a chunky amount. I was going to look for a new job then various things happened and I didn't. I don't know if I'll be wasting my time or if I can at least leverage a pay rise and promotion. I need a strategy!

Yes. Always yes. You won't get it at all if you don't.

I'm a bit lacking in confidence tbh. Urgh I just don't know.

Do it!

Better to think 'oh well' than 'what if'

At the very worst case, you will get an insight for the type of interview questions to expect for the end time xx

Well I'm going to update my CV.

Do it as it shows that you are serious about progressing. Even if you don't get it, the bosses will know that you are looking to take on a higher level role and may consider you for something else or help ensure you have the expertise needed next time.

Yes go for it, and if you don’t get this role you have put yourself in the frame for development.

In my favour they've reduced the scope of the role since old boss had it. I also think new boss will be pissed off with the level of support I might need. Someone more experienced who is prepared to be more of a team player could be good for me.

For the record I'm a grown woman with a RG uni degree and a master's level professional qualification, which I gained whilst working full time. Don't know why I'm being such a ninny.

Go for it! If you don't get it find out what you need to work on to gain more knowledge so next time you get a promotion. Good luck!

Apply for it, when you're writing your CV use the job description as your template.

So if the first bullet on the JD says 'experience of leading a team and improving KPI performance'

Then the first bullet under your current role is 'Leading a team of 15 Customer Service Advisors. Over the last 6 months successfully increased productivity by 20% resulting in a cost saving of (20% of combined salary of team for a 6 month period).

You want them to be able to use the JD as a checklist and then just tick it off as they work through your CV.

Remember at all times that you have been doing this job, you have been receiving positive feedback about your performance and your manager has commended your ability to do this role to others. So you can do this job. There may be people externally who have more experience but they have less knowledge of your company and will have a bedding in period learning those aspects just like you will have a bedding in period, so they do not have an advantage.

Thank you all - you're very encouraging. The old boss was happy to leave me to large parts of the job, whilst taking the credit for my work I've since found out. Parts of the job were totally kept from me. I'm also not particularly ambitious, I do think there's more to life than the big job, but I work hard and if I don't know something, I'll find out.

Hi there - after much deliberation I applied and I've had the first of two interviews that I know of so far. Fingers crossed!

Ah amazing!
Good luck 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Thank you! I was awake really early and tried to be as positive as possible.

Thanks OP - I needed to see this post today, I also have applied internally for a job a few grades above me that I know I can do, current manager wants to move me up but her boss needs some convincing so fingers crossed for both of us!

Oh fab! Please update us, I saw your first thread and wondered how you got on. Loads of luck with your next interview.

Go for it but Kudos for using the word “ninny”, it’s underused but very apt in a lot of cases

Thanks @Hoppinggreen - apparently it originated in the 16th century and is thought to be from the word innocent. Who knew?

Second interview wasn't an interview, but a "these are the next steps chat" if the interviewer's report is favourable. It seemed very positive to me.

I have a proper second interview. Fingers crossed. I'm hoping I'm viewed as a serious candidate rather than them humouring me.

Yes absolutely apply ! You can learn experience but it's not easy to hire good people! And that stat that everyone says about men applying for jobs they are 1% qualified for and women waiting until 200% (stats are for illustrative purposes only 🤣)

Good luck!

I like your stats @Alwaystired2023 ! I've seen similar before.

I don't think I did myself justice today tbh. I had the morning from hell and was seriously wondering if it was a stress test until a colleague told me they'd had the same 😬

Let's face it, they may just be humouring me as I've no idea if the Chief Exec thinks I'm a contender. I mean I'm doing the bloody job and don't think I've dropped any balls yet, but you just don't know.

Yes!!!