I've been shortlisted for a role I can't get to

[user1471867483]

I only applied to see if my application form 'looked good'!, as I'm so out of practice applying for jobs. Whilst I like the sound of the job in itself, I knew there was no way I could take the job if I was offered it as it's too far for me to travel to/from. I feel guilty now if I withdraw my application. Should I feel guilty?

Withdraw your application. Then at least someone who actually wants the job has a chance of getting onto the shortlist. And don’t waste people’s time in the future.

What you said

Go to the interview for the practice.

Why worry about if you can take the job? It's not compulsory to accept a job you're offered.

Seems silly to feel guilty about withdrawing at this stage, when presumably the alternative is withdrawing once they've spent time interviewing you and potentially discussing you at length.

When I've interviewed I never added another if someone withdrew, I was just happy for the break.

Sounds good.

Just withdraw. That happens frequently (we do a lot of recruitment) as we understand that candidates apply for multiple roles and so we may miss the boat as they've accepted another job etc. You don't need to give a reason just a polite email saying thanks so much but I'm afraid I need to withdraw.

I'd guard against the interview practice idea unless you are really desperate for it. You may struggle to lie if during the interview they ask you about your interest in the role or even about how you will cone to the office x days/week or you may get offered the role and then you'll be in a more awkward position. You never know when you may come across people again ... I offered a job to someone who pulled out on the day they were due to start, citing another job they'd accepted. I was badly let down due to importance/urgency of role but accepted their story of this other role being their dream. I then saw on LinkedIn they never did get that job and then a couple years later they contacted me prospecting for work again. Needless to say I'll avoid them as they were not honest with me.

It might be a good idea to wait until I get offered an interview and then withdraw then, as my application status says I'm "At the first stage in my application process".

I'd withdraw now. You have no intention of taking the job.

Withdraw, save everyone's time and let someone who wants this job get it .Good luck for new job .

And waste everyone's time

Withdraw.

You’ve already wasted enough of other people’s time.

Companies and interviewers waste the time of applicants all the time. Why ask six people to take a day off work, prepare a presentation and be interview ready when you know you are making an internal appointment? Or spend hours filling in application forms that get immediately binned?

The OP should not be made to feel like a time waster. She is just getting herself prepared.

I totally agree. I've been massively messed around by companies that are hiring. Jobs that were really internal, one where they were so checked out the feedback they gave me obviously wasn't for me, one who went quiet when I mentioned I had depression, one who asked me if my periods affected my work - I could go on.

Is there any way that you would take it if they were to come up with a really flexible package? It’s always frowned upon on here, but I have not worked FT for the last 16years. Each of the 4 jobs I’ve had were advertised as FT vacancies, and I’ve negotiated job share or part time hours on each.

I wouldn’t feel guilty about “wasting their time” in any case, having been the token external candidate for a post they offered to someone who’d been locuming in the exact role for the previous six months.

Well, I was asked once if I had a bf and if I wanted children in the future, which I believe are 'illegal' questions. I got offered the job, but declined it.

Is it a dream job? Like a DREAM dream job, that might not come up again? I'd be inclined to give it a whirl, negotiate for flexibility and see what happens. Or is it something like midwife in London, but you live on the Isle of Skye?

If you know you couldn’t get to the job, if offered, how could you get to the interview? Unless it’s elsewhere I suppose.

It might be on MS Teams, but I don't know yet.

Those questions aren’t “illegal”. Poor choice of questions but your answer were not used to discriminate against you as you were offered the role.