I've emailed the recruitment assistant twice now...

[BelowDeck]

I have applied for a job that would be a promotion in my current workplace. I want this job. If I don't get an interview or am unsuccessful at interview, I will seek employment elsewhere. The role I'm in has only this one route for development.

I have an interview on Wednesday this week for another job. It would be fine. New. A nice change, but it's not my first choice.

Problem is, I still don't know if I even have an interview for dream job.

Do I even go to interview on Wednesday?

I'm cringing because I've emailed the recruitment assistant twice now, asking if I have an interview. Normally, if you don't hear within 6 weeks you just haven't got an interview. It's only week three. Is contacting them coming across at desperate?

Go for the other one. Don't miss out on an opportunity just because your current employer may or may not offer you an interview.

Go to everything then deal with the offers when they come in

Go to the interview. If nothing else it will be a good bit of interview practise.
If you are successful with the job you have the interview for it could give you a bit of a bargaining tool towards the position you really want.

Go to the other one. If nothing else, it's interview practice, but it's also an opportunity for you to find out more. Why isn't it your dream job? What would need to change to make it so? Interviews are also an opportunity for you to find out more, so make sure these questions get answered.

Definitely go for the interview on Wednesday otherwise you’ll be putting all of your eggs in one basket.

Go to everything then deal with the offers when they come in
^This - you may even find that the other job is preferable if you go and interview. Don't limit your options - and I am sure I don't need to say - keep the bit about leaving if not promoted to yourself. Also whist you might mention it's your dream job, better to focus on all the reasons they should give it to you (from their perspective).

Thank you! All good advice.

I have just confirmed that I will be attending on Wednesday.

What if I get offered the job on Wednesday, then have an interview for other job the following week and am successful at that? Isn't it really wasting people's time?

What if I get offered the job on Wednesday, then have an interview for other job the following week and am successful at that? Isn't it really wasting people's time

You can only make decisons on offers, you havent even got an interview yet. sit still until there is a decison to make.

Isn't it really wasting people's time?
Yes - but don't feel bad. It happens all the time unfortunately, but it's not your fault is it?

Ok - I need to relax a bit

Go for the other one so you have all the options. Also if you work for a large company (which it sounds like you do if they wouldn't come and tell you face to face you'd been unsuccessful) don't hesitate to call the recruitment department and ask them for the progress i.e. has shortlisting happened yet or not. It's their sole job at the end of the day & it won't bother them - they shouldn't have been ignoring your emails as an internal candidate. If it's 3 weeks since the closing date they need to get a move on with shortlisting it it hasn't happened already otherwise they will start to lose candidates I.e. yourself if you get offered this other job!

Stop emailing and pick up the phone to the recruitment person.

You can only make decisons on offers, you havent even got an interview yet. sit still until there is a decison to make.
^ And this.

Good luck!

You're right. I'm not going to potentially waste any opportunities on a what if.

It’s a business transaction so if you get offered the other job, you can bow out. It happens and no one dies.

I've been in the same job for ten years, so this is all a bit new to me. I definitely need to work on being a bit more ruthless. It's not personal, it's business, and all that.