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

[BobbinsBoo1]

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?

Yes, please ignore all this utter crap about 'sectors not liking' such behaviour. It is only pearl clutchers on here who 'don't like' things, the NHS is a pragmatic employer, not a judgemental emotion.

Always, always look after yourself. If you want to apply for another/a better job when you've already accepted one just crack on and do it. If the boot was on the other foot and the employer changed their mind they wouldn't give a second thought about loyalty/inconvenience caused to the applicant.

If their different trusts then there will be no communication.Just go for it,this is what you trained for,your dream jobs.

Job 1 would never know, apply and see what happens, best of luck

At this stage there's nothing to stop you from applying, go for it! Yes there is etiquette around turning offers down if the situation comes to that. You still have a long way to go, application, not sure if you also have to do psychometric tests + interviews/ assessment centres as well?

I may have missed this but have you had a formal written offer and a contract? If not then yes you still have time and are well within your reasons to keep looking for another job. I've been in the situation where contracts have been rescinded for example so is always good to have other options, especially if the other is your dream job...!

Thanks for all your replies, I appreciate hearing everyone's options. After being out of work for so long I really don't know what the correct etiquette is.
Definitely given me lots to think about and I'm thinking about applying. It's unlikely I'd get it because of my lack of work experience but I figure it's worth a try anyway. I didn't think I'd get the other job and the assessment and interviews went really well so who knows!

I think it'd be a good decision to give it a go. Best of luck if you do

If it’s different trusts it’s unlik to be a problem. There will be about 4 over-worked HR staff dealing with all the staff in each trust, they don’t have time to run around doing this sort of checking for non-specialist roles! And at the application sift stage the names etc are removed from the applications anyway so they are done blind, so if you don’t make it through the sift no one will know.
Personally I’d prefer someone to leave before they started than after I’d spent 3 months training them too.

This isn't an etiquette question. It is your life, future and career, and you need to make the decision which benefits you most. Apply for the dream job. You will need to apologise to the other employer, but they do not own you. If you have already signed a contract, then you will need to look at the details of how to resign the post.

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

Really? My brother is in the police and says it’s like musical chairs!! Even those who ultimately want to be police officers often start with 999 calls (easy to get into as turnover is high) then once in flit from role to role while applying for officer training.

He had one friend on day one was asked if and when they planned to move on- they were overqualified and the expectation seems to be that they would be looking to move up within the force. Someone sent him a job ad within the week!

My experience in the nhs is that many people apply for a variety of roles. I’d think nothing of the o/p applying for the other role. If she got it it’s basically a transfer within the organisation, they’re not losing an employee to a rival.

I work in the NHS. I think you absolutely should apply! Keep your options open. Currently you are out of work until September. This may be ok for you in your current situation but it wouldn't be for everyone.
You should view your employer as lucky to have you. Interviewing for a role is as much about whether you want to work for them as it is for them to employ you. You are absolutely within your rights to look for the best fit for you, just as the interviewers will be looking for the best fit for their job.
The first trust won't lose money if you get the second job, they will simply go down the list and offer the job to the next best applicant.

It's making me feel better that others would apply. I've decided to go for it and see what happens

I did something similar in my 20s, and it led to the 25-year career I've had since then. It was definitely the right decision.