Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To go for an interview even when I can't accept the job

59 replies

pipnchops · 12/04/2018 19:55

I have an interview next week for a part time job, plan was DH would go down to part time in his job and be with our DCs (3 and 1) on the days when I work, if I got the job. He's just found out that his work won't let him go part time. My dilemma is do I still go for the interview next week even though I know I can't take the job. I've been a SAHM since DC1 was born so I'm curious to see if I even get the job. Also I'm looking forward to the interview experience and an afternoon of being an adult (how sad is that?!). But is it really bad form to waste the company's time? It's a large local employer I'd love to work for one day so I don't want to burn bridges. It's not my dream job but it's a good job.

OP posts:

joopy79 · 12/04/2018 20:00

If you want to work with them in the future, you wouldn't want to potentially let them down. Could you not organise childcare for when you're at work?

DameSaggyMith · 12/04/2018 20:02

Go for it and look into childcare

NerNerNerNerBATMAN · 12/04/2018 20:02

Just because your plan A won't work doesn't mean you couldn't come up with a plan B. Could you use paid childcare to make it work for example?

Having a job can give you confidence, a new lease of life, as well as valuable NI and pension contributions. I wouldn't write it off just because your ideal plan is a no goer. MANY couples have to compromise.

I'd go with an open mind, see what they can offer you and then try and make it work.

If you don't get offered anything, then at least you've got some interview experience out of it.

Original poster

pipnchops · 12/04/2018 20:14

I really don't want to use childcare. I know it's what many people do but I just can't, not when I don't have to, so I know I can't accept the job. I guess I want to know what the company will frown on more, me going to the interview, potentially getting the job and then turning it down, or calling them tomorrow and just being honest and saying I can't come.

OP posts:

MorningsEleven · 12/04/2018 20:17

Why waste someone's time for an ego boost?

DontTouchTheMoustache · 12/04/2018 20:17

If you have no intention of taking the job then you are wasting their time and that would be incredibly selfish. Imagine if they end up working an hour later because the interview busied up their day too much to get their work.done? You must have been out of work for a long time to not see how unreasonable it would be to do this.

QueenofmyPrinces · 12/04/2018 20:18

Not for the same reasons but last year I was due to have a job interview for a job I knew I wasn’t going to accept.

In the end I phoned them on the day of my interview and cancelled. I didn’t think it fair to waste their time and I felt it was the right thing to do regarding the other candidates too because I didn’t want one of them to be turned down because the job was offered to me when I had no intention of accepting it.

Parker231 · 12/04/2018 20:20

If I was the company I would be really annoyed at you wasting my time. It’s highly likely you will need childcare so worth checking out some nurseries before you apply for any further jobs.

Shizzlestix · 12/04/2018 20:20

Don’t waste their time, it’s pointless and hardly the thing to do to have an ‘adult afternoon’. Go for an afternoon out with mates if you want an adult day out. I’d be fuming, was fuming, when someone hogged an interview spot then told us he wasn’t interested in the post. In my industry, it involves pretty much all day, various tasks. I was really pissed off with him.

YimminiYoudar · 12/04/2018 20:23

It's not a waste of time even if the final outcome is that you get offered the job and turn it down. It is massively useful for companies to be able to critically assess candidates in competition with one another.

The unsuccessful candidates play a crucial role in helping prove that the successful candidate is the best one. If you get offered the job then they know your calibre as the best person for the job even if they later have to settle for second best

Go to the interview and shine the best you can without mentioning or thinking of the logistical issues. If you do get offered the job then do ask for a few days to investigate possible alternative options for allowing you to accept.

Have DH's employers properly followed the law regarding his request for family friendly hours?

Original poster

pipnchops · 12/04/2018 20:23

Yes you're all right, I know, I was coming to the same conclusion myself but I guess I'm just disappointed. Thanks for your replies.

OP posts:

Original poster

pipnchops · 12/04/2018 20:25

Yiminee thank you that's interesting.

OP posts:

Baconbutties · 12/04/2018 20:25

If you def can’t take the job now but want to work for them in the future don’t go for the interview and then turn it down . This won’t foster good relations with them and it’s wasting their time . Be honest and withdraw your application.

BTatemyhamster · 12/04/2018 20:29

I'm interviewing next week and I really hope everyone we see actually wants the job. Otherwise it's a waste of everyone's time, including colleagues who've agreed to be on the panel. IMO everyone in the room should be there in good faith.

Original poster

pipnchops · 12/04/2018 20:34

Oh man I feel really awful now! Will definitely ring tomorrow and explain to their HR.

OP posts:

OlennasWimple · 12/04/2018 20:37

the advice on this thread is in stark contrast to a recent thread where someone was asking whether to ask for p/t hours in the interview or at the point where she was (hopefully) offered the job.

Depending on the role, it might be possible to negotiate something short of f/t hours if you are a really good fit for the role and the company really want you. It's a tough jobs market out there, and getting an interview isn't easy.

I would go for the interview, try to do my best, and explore childcare options in case you are offered the post. It's perfectly possible to decline an offer without burning all bridges - if they really like you, they can keep your details on file in case another role comes up in the future, for example.

Good luck!

stripes416 · 12/04/2018 20:51

Is there a possibility that if you went to the interview and got a feel for the position it could make you change your mind about childcare?

If you say you would like to work for the company and you are obviously ready to go back to work then maybe actually going will make you see it differently? Or are your feelings towards children not going to childcare really that strong?

BTatemyhamster · 12/04/2018 20:56

wanting p/t is completely different to having no intention of taking the job.

SmileyBird · 12/04/2018 21:01

I feel for the person who might be brilliant and really want the job but didn’t get an interview.

Original poster

pipnchops · 12/04/2018 21:07

Yeah me too. Thanks, I feel awful. I didn't know until today that my DH couldn't go part time.

OP posts:

Blahdyblaah · 12/04/2018 21:08

I really wouldn't attend unless you are going to accept the job if offered. You will be wasting everyone's time and it won't look good in the future if you apply again.

Namechange128 · 12/04/2018 21:09

Is there a reason why you wouldn't consider paid childcare if you really like the job?

NapQueen · 12/04/2018 21:11

You are allowed to want to work you know OP, childcare isnt a workhouse.

Paie · 12/04/2018 21:11

I would go, And if you do get offered the job kindly explain that you're very pleased and flattered but unfortunately your circumstances have changed and you won't be able to accept, but would they still consider you in the future if something similar came up? That way you might make a good connection for when the time is right

Original poster

pipnchops · 12/04/2018 21:15

Stripes, I think there's definitely a niggling voice inside that's saying go as you might change you mind about childcare. I have nothing against childcare I just get so upset when I think about leaving my DC with strangers. I'm sure they'd be absolutely fine but I'd be a wreck.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3