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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To apply for another job after I've already been offered a different role?

38 replies

BobbinsBoo1 · 08/06/2018 17:04

Feels morally wrong so I'm not sure if I am BU.
I've been a sahm for 13 years. Saw a role advertised in April for a training programme within the NHS which leads to my dream job. I did a degree while being a sahm in order to apply for this type of role when I was ready to return to work. I applied but didn't get short listed for interview. I saw a different job that wasn't what I planned to do long term but thought I would enjoy. This job is also in the NHS but a different trust. I got this job and am now waiting for a start date which should be around September time.

I've just had an email about graduate jobs from the uni I attended and the original training programme has come back up (different speciality so I wouldn't be applying for the same job exactly) . I'm considering applying for it. Would that be wrong of me?

OP posts:
blueshoes · 08/06/2018 17:58

Is this new role also with the NHS?

SadTrombone · 08/06/2018 18:00

Nope. Go for it! This is just how the world of work works!

Original poster
BobbinsBoo1 · 08/06/2018 18:12

Yes, both roles are with the NHS but different trusts.
SadTrombone that's what my husband said Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
BobbinsBoo1 · 08/06/2018 19:46

Bump

OP posts:
blueshoes · 08/06/2018 23:42

It is very bad form to do this.

I have only worked in private companies and don't know how the NHS works. But if you resign to take up a role in another NHS trust, is there a risk that the first NHS trust will get in touch with the other to tell them what you had done? Would you be depriving someone of a place in the first trust but taking it up and dropping it as soon as someone prettier walks through the door? I guess it is only tax payer's money.

I hope your role does not require integrity as a personal quality.

Original poster
BobbinsBoo1 · 09/06/2018 09:52

Thanks for your reply blueshoes what you've written is how I'm feeling about it. Just gutted the perfect role has come up I suppose. My dh and friend have encouraged me to apply so I thought maybe I just felt wrong about applying because I've been out of work so long I don't know how it all works and was being silly not applying.

OP posts:
StormcloakNord · 09/06/2018 09:57

I think blueshoes is being extremely dramatic.

It's your dream role, just go for it.

Neverender · 09/06/2018 09:58

Do what's best for you.

Panda81 · 09/06/2018 10:24

I think you should apply. Isn't there a risk with the job offer that it could be withdrawn between now and September if they can't yet confirm a start date?

MismatchedStripySocks · 09/06/2018 10:27

You haven’t even started the first role, there’s loads of time for them to get a replacement. I say apply for this other one.

Ratarse · 09/06/2018 10:28

Go for it, they'll tut, roll their eyes and re-advertise. Anything can happen in 3 months when you're waiting to start a job. It's just life (recruiting is part of my job and is a pain in the arse anyway).

nosyupnorth · 09/06/2018 10:34

if you were supposed to start next week and you were shopping around for better options than that would seem flaky but if they're expecting you to wait around being unemployed for months until it's convenient for them then I don't think there's anything wrong with looking for an offer that actually comes with a prompt follow up

KirstenRaymonde · 09/06/2018 10:47

OP You’re fine to do this, you haven’t even started the training yet it’s not like you’re a week into a job and are about to leave. Blueshoes is being dramatic and silly. I work in higher level recruitment and people pull out of processes even after confirming really quite often. There may well have been someone who came second to you that they’ll just offer the job to instead.

Original poster
BobbinsBoo1 · 09/06/2018 12:53

Thanks for the replies. Giving me stuff to think about seeing different opinions

Panda81 I'm a little worried about that. Concerned I will apply for the job, not get it and the other job remove their offer if they find out I was trying for a different role.

The world of employment is all so new to me

OP posts:
bbcessex · 09/06/2018 12:58

Absolutely apply for the dream job. You won’t know how far you get until you try.

Rest assured that if the job you’ve been offered was subsequently subject to cut backs, they wouldn’t think twice about dropping the offer.

That’s just how it is - look after yourself and go for it.

TERFragetteCity · 09/06/2018 13:02

if you were supposed to start next week and you were shopping around for better options than that would seem flaky

It is not flaky to go for another job at any time. It is what people do. It is how the work of work works.

Bridechilla · 09/06/2018 13:10

A job is a job, you may not get the training second time around and you also might not pass probation at your new role - bet they wouldn't think twice in letting you go. No regrets!

blueshoes · 09/06/2018 13:49

I am bit surprised recruiters on this thread take this so lightly. I suppose that is why some in the profession have the reputation, having dealt with them as an employer.

OP, if this is a junior role, maybe you'd think who'd remember. I don't know whether NHS trusts communicate with each other. There is that risk if it is in roughly the same area. I work in a specialised area and sector where I can easily call up someone who knows the candidate. I have to bite my tongue and not ask my contacts at the company which the candidate works at what the candidate is like when someone applies for a role at my firm as it is a breach of confidentiality. I can imagine some other prospective employers might not restrain themselves.

If you go for the dream job, when will you know the result? If it is a decent time before September, then it is a pain for the first trust but at least you will be able to tell the first trust before you start.

Zacjosh · 09/06/2018 13:50

I have worked in the Nhs for 40 years in many different roles,, departments and trusts. I agree blueshoes is completely wrong, It is common for staff to move between roles, accept multiple job offers, as offers can be withdrawn at anytime, in fact I am sure the NMC recently recommended nurses change roles every 2 years

TheProvincialLady · 09/06/2018 13:55

Where I work the trusts would only be talking to each other if these were fairly senior roles. And possibly not even then. It is very normal for people not to take up jobs they have accepted, if something better comes along. Likewise it sometimes happens that a job offer will be withdrawn if the formal offer letter hasn’t been sent.

Look after yourself. Why miss out on your dream job out of loyalty to an employer you don’t even work for yet?

Browniebaker · 09/06/2018 14:31

I think people are forgetting you've applied for this role before and been rejected. Who's to say you won't be rejected again?

And in the mean time, the trusts might contact each other and be aware that you've applied for a second role while having been accepted for another. It's something that other sectors of government employment like the police don't like. They tend to like you knowing what you want to do, not just apply for anything.

You might get away with it, you might not. But you were rejected before, even if the role isn't exactly the same.

Browniebaker · 09/06/2018 14:33

Forgot to add, maybe take the job you have been offered and apply for the role you want in a few years. You never know, you might actually like the job you have got, and if not you've shown loyalty. Currently you aren't showing loyalty if you jump ship before starting.

whosafraidofabigduckfart · 09/06/2018 14:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheProvincialLady · 09/06/2018 14:42

How and why would trust 1 be talking to trust 2? The OP doesn’t need a reference from a job she hasn’t started. The only time it could become a problem is if she encountered the same recruiters a few years down the line if/when she applies for a job at trust 1. TBH it’s unlikely they’d even remember her name - the NHS is huge and if there is more than one trust locally, it’s really only at senior level that anyone would be noticed and remembered.

Bufferingkisses · 09/06/2018 15:09

Trust 1 and trust 2 are not allowed to.talk about your applications. Your data is confidential for a start! In fact department 1 and 2 in the same building wouldn't be allowed to!

Pps are being ridiculous and dramatic. This is the world of work. You owe no loyalty to a place you don't even work yet! Believe me they won't think twice about dropping you if the funding for your role gets cut!

Starting then leaving doesn't look great on a cv but you've not started so that doesn't matter.

Just apply for the job. Do your level best to get It, this is your dream and your life don't sell yourself out. People give back word before starting all the time. Honestly, I work in NHS and recruiting is part of my role, I'd hate to think an employee of mine chucked a chance like that down the drain! That sort of loyalty is very misplaced.

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