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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to apply for a job that I potentially can't start for a year?

116 replies

Naicehamhun · 21/02/2020 10:02

IABU- don't apply and wait until I am in a position to move.

IANBU- Apply and be honest about start dates.

Background: Through a series of circumstances beyond my control I have been left as a lone parent of one 7 year old DC. DCs father is local to where I live currently but is not allowed unsupervised contact, so I have no help. I work full time in a very intensive job and have no support within 100 miles if the area I live in. I am therefore looking to move back to my hometown where there is a bit more support from family and friends.
I have found the perfect job in my home town, I am qualified and stand a good chance. The job market in that area is very limited and this is a rare opportunity.... However. I am not on any position to make the big move any time soon.
My house needs building work before it can be put on the market. The market is stagnant in my area. My mortgage will not allow me to let it out. Hometown is a lot more expensive and I stand to lose a lot of money if I rush this process and I need all the cash I can get.

I can't get this job advertisement out of my head. I feel like I would be a fool to not apply but I can not start for many months and I feel this would instantly put off the employers. They do also specify that previous applicants will not be considered and the likelihood of the same role coming up again in the next few years is very slim.
My initial thoughts were to send an opening email to them before I apply formally, explaining my circumstances and potential start dates to gauge if they will consider me as an applicant. But I feel that this could put them off if I approach it the wrong way. I am desperate to move.

OP posts:

HuntIdeas · 21/02/2020 10:57

If you’re moving back to be near friends and family isn’t there anyone that can put you up for a few months? It will be much quicker to complete building work and sell an empty house

ChicCroissant · 21/02/2020 11:10

If you are desperate to move, apply for the job and put the house on the market. Assuming you get it, surely a job you have in the new area is better financially than waiting to renovate and sell later on? Rather than wait for the perfect opportunity I think you have to work with what you've got here.

Why will you lose money?

PurplePi · 21/02/2020 11:11

There's a third option. Apply now, but don't mention start dates.

Get the job, then worry about sorting out the old house. Move to the new area - staying with friends & relatives if poss to save money until the old place is sold.

If you're doing the building work yourself - you can go back & do it at weekends. Otherwise, bite the bullet, hire a professional who can work on the old house while you're not there. OK, so there will be some initial outlay, but you'll be able to sell more quickly.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 21/02/2020 11:13

I think if you apply, and you get it, there are ways you can make it work. It will be tough for you and will involve perhaps making financial sacrifices, but it can be done.

But they aren't going to wait a year for you. That's a really unrealistic approach to go in with. It would put me right off as a recuriter

ThunderGarlic · 21/02/2020 11:14

Definitely at least register your interest and CV.

I knew someone who was in a similar position, being very well qualified for a particular role in a new organisation. She would have been the perfect candidate but the employers originally couldn't wait for her and filled the role with a less suitable internal candidate. When this person didn't work out six months later, they were on the phone to my old colleague and she got the job further down the road.

ineedaholidaynow · 21/02/2020 11:16

In the area I work in the application form asks what is your earliest start date.

TomeOfSomething · 21/02/2020 11:16

How much will the building work cost, and how much will the price of the house differ?

I would be very pissed off if you came for a job and didnt want to start for a year, if I wanted someone in a year, I'd start recruiting in 8 months or so, not now

Icecreamdiva · 21/02/2020 11:18

If were recruiting I wouldn’t take your application very seriously no matter how well qualified you are. A lot can happen in a year, you might be in a very different place then. An employer can’t be expected to hang on in the hope you will still be available this time next year.

i realise there are some positions where a years lead in would be normal - in academia particularly. A friend is a college Dean in the US and it is quite normal to accept a job with a start date a year or 18 months in the future but since you say this isn’t the norm in your industry I think you have to let this one go.

By all means, ring them and have an informal chat before applying but be prepared to be told they want someone sinner rather than later.

Aridane · 21/02/2020 11:19

I would apply. At my organisation it takes AGES to fill positions so it might end up being that a timelag of the sort you mention would get swallowed up in the length of time it takes for the whole recruitment process

Aridane · 21/02/2020 11:21

And if you like the job and package and if you are offered it, then maybe it is attractive enough for you to move earlier (and pay someone else to manage the project management work)

SevenWhinesForSevenMothers · 21/02/2020 11:23

How about contact them beforehand and explain your situation?

Notanotherflightdelay · 21/02/2020 11:24

You can build a house in 13 weeks, I have renovated loads. You need 3 months to get any house ready to sell maximum

RedskyAtnight · 21/02/2020 11:26

I really wouldn't apply. There is no way a company will let you set a start date for a year's time - the entire need for the job might have gone away by then.

If you apply, you need to be prepared to start in a maximum of 3 months (or whatever is industry standard). So you need to decide if this is at all possible (can you suck up the cost/ can you move in with family/do you have savings/ can you sell your house as it is)?

Definitely don't apply, go through the recruitment process and then spring it on the recruiter that you can't start for a year - that will be a sure fire way of getting yourself blacklisted.

Aridane · 21/02/2020 11:26

I wouldn't contact them beforehand - that will almost certainly entail an automatic decline

ThunderGarlic · 21/02/2020 11:28

PS I also received a "thanks but no thanks" letter this morning for a job I applied for over six months ago, didn't really want any more, and had completely forgotten about. It all depends on the organisation, its size, nature and recruitment cycle, I guess. There can be very long lead-ins for international roles in big organisations.

partofthepeanutgallery · 21/02/2020 11:34

I would say apply for the job and say nothing. If you get it, then sell the house as is, take a hit financially now, and move back to support.

gingersausage · 21/02/2020 11:35

Phone them now and ask if there’s any possibility of a relocation package. Don’t mention your circumstances, just say that you live in x town but you are very interested in the job.

JosefKeller · 21/02/2020 11:35

Don't wait until the interview!

You can apply but be very specific on your dates from the very start.

I honestly would find it very weird to get an email telling me someone is available in a year and keen to work in xyz place. At best I would think you have a massive ego and feel you are so amazing everyone would be delighted to wait a year. Not sure I would put you through.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 21/02/2020 11:36

Certainly I'd give the recruiter a call to ask, but since there's obviously a need to advertise now they'll presumably have appointed someone else by the time you're ready, and they're hardly going to chuck out their new member of staff after a few months

Obviously don't mention support/childcare if you call though ... just as it's not their problem it's not their business either

JosefKeller · 21/02/2020 11:36

or that
I would say apply for the job and say nothing. If you get it, then sell the house as is, take a hit financially now, and move back to support.

but be warned many companies don't consider you until you have relocated...

TeaForTara · 21/02/2020 11:36

I was in a similar situation and I moved for the job. Travelled back (4 hrs each way) at weekends to oversee the renovations. It was exhausting. I knew if I let that job go, there might not be another for years.

You'd be daft to let this opportunity pass but it's highly unlikely they will wait a year. Get your house valued "as is" and also "after renovations" because the difference might not be as much as you think.

redastherose · 21/02/2020 11:41

First of all it is a standard condition of all residential mortgages that they cannot be sub-let without the mortgagors consent. It doesn't meant that they won't consent to you subletting the property, what they may do is insist that the mortgage is changed to a buy-to-let one which has a higher interest rate so don't rule that option out from the start.

Realistically they are unlikely to wait for a year for you but it really doesn't need to take a year to get yourself to your home town. So think of the options you have. In reality if your industry standard it 3 months notice and the recruitment process is likely to take another month to 6 weeks before any possible offer so that puts you already 4 1/2 months or thereabouts through your year. If you apply, start straight away to get whatever works you need done to your house, there are loads of things that you can do yourself without trades so long as you research how to do them so you can push on with those things. If you get a job interview and you are offered the job you will already be 6 weeks further forwards in the works on your house. If you have someone you could stay with at the other end you could still go for the job whilst your property is being marketed once the works are finished. It isn't as easy to do things at a distance but not impossible either. Think positive.

shinyredbus · 21/02/2020 11:41

Why would the company wait for you? Unless you are one of 5 people in the country and it’s such a niche role?

AriadnesFilament · 21/02/2020 11:43

a residential mortgage won’t allow letting, that is true.
But it is very possible to convert a residential mortgage to a letting mortgage - it’s basically only a question of the lender’s risk expose when it’s boiled right down.

I’d suggest that - before you write this option off, and before you have any opening conversations with the potential employer that might put them off - you have a look on your lender’s website at their options around changing your mortgage, or give them a ring.

Rezie · 21/02/2020 11:43

I don't see the harm in applying. People apply for jobs all the time without really expecting to take the job, so I don't see how this is different. I would explain the situation after the initial interview (assuming you'd get it) and see if there are accommodations to be made. There is no harm. At least you get your name out there.

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