Why couldn't they just tell me if the job was still available?

[ScottishSue]

(NC for this just in case!)

I don't think IABU but I'm not totally sure... I recently found out about a local job vacancy. My qualification is not exactly right for the role but it said full training would be provided. It was a full time position and I would much rather find a part time job but as hardly anything is coming up in the area in which I trained I thought I should apply anyway and see what happened. The fact that it was local was very important as transport is an issue.

I have very little experience in applying for the type of job I have trained for as I only completed the course quite recently so I find filling in the very long and complicated application forms quite stressful and very time consuming. I started to fill it in but was struggling with it a bit, then I had a couple of days where I was unable to continue with it. So on Monday I called to check if the specific role I was interested in (there were some others) had been filled yet as there was no date given by which the application had to be returned. The person I spoke didn't know if it had as there are different locations for the work and there are roles at each different place, iyswim.

So I was told that the best thing would be to fill in the application form and send it in, stating which role and location I was interested in, and then someone would get back to me and let me know if it was still unfilled. I was a bit taken aback but being polite and rather less assertive than I should be, thanked the person and rang off.

But then afterwards I felt quite annoyed - I really didn't want to go to all the trouble of filling in an application form for a post that may no longer be available! So I emailed the office person again, being very apologetic for taking up their time, and very politely asking if it would be possible to just be told if the job I was interested in was still available rather than sending the form in order to find out.

I have had no response at all so now, when initially the person in the office was helpful and quick to reply so I'm wondering if IWBU or were they? It has kind of put me off from applying a bit, especially as I was unsure about it anyway

Filling in the application is good practise for any future jobs you may apply for so is worth doing anyway. Keep a copy of it so you have a starting point for the next one you do.

If it is a large or multi site company, the person you spoke to may genuinely not know about local recruitment.

I think your best bet would be to fill in the form as quickly as you can (assuming the closing date hasn't passed) and send it in. Keep a copy of what you've put on the form to paste it into the next application if you need to.

I'd be wary of contacting them again in case you're seen as being a hassle to deal with.

Thanks for replying dontlikebeards

I know it could be good practice but it would take me so long to do it! I have copies of previous applications I've done but this is in quite a different format so loads of editing required.

Not a large company, it's in the area of social care (whereas I've trained in specialist support within schools) and they have 3 different homes in a 20 mile radius. I spoke to the admin person and I find it hard to believe she couldn't have found out which roles had been filled and let me know. I imagine other people might want to know too...

Just send it in. They might keep it on file in case a similar vacancy occurs again.

If you are not willing to spend a couple of hours on the form then you can’t be that interested in the job TBH.

If only it was a couple of hours - I'd already spent double that on it and still not even half way!

I really don't want to do this for a job that no longer exists. I just want to know one way or the other, surely that's not that preposterous?

i would call the particular site and ask if that role is still being recruited for at that site. Ask to speak to the recruiting manager and ask some questiins about the role.

Hi sackrifice - unfortunately due to the sensitive nature of the work they do you can only call the central office and speak to to the admin person

Jeez, just fill it in, I'd discount you for being hard work before you even applied.

I'd fill it in anyway. Even if that particular job has gone another may come up soon.

If you think the form is too much work, you might want to consider if you're the right fit for a social care role

We have lots of people walking in, phoning or emailing looking for work. I have no idea which roles are currently open, unless it’s in my own dept., or what the deadlines are for closing applications. If there’s no closing date for applications I’d assume it’s an ongoing search/recruitment and advise the applicant to fill out the application form. Honestly, if you’ve already put 2 hours into it you might as well finish it. We also keep applications on file for future reference in case similar roles come up.