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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Unlikely to get a job I'm going for

43 replies

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 19:38

An employment opportunity has come up, locally. At the time that it was mooted, a number of people approached me suggesting that I apply: it was heavily implied that I'd stand a good chance, although obviously there were no guarantees, and I was keenly aware that strong candidates may present themselves.
I would very much like to do it; I'm pretty satisfied I can do it; it would be extremely handy, in terms of income, convenience, having something resembling a (very modest) bloody salary for the first time in ages . . . 😒
Pretty much everyone involved in the interview and appointment is aware I'm interested.
Today, one of the very people who'd first approached me, sought me out to tell me there was now 'strong competition' and that the person is well-known to, and liked by, another key committee member. I have to assume they have at least as a strong an application as me, and may even have a better background on paper. I got the distinct impression - and bear in mind I thought I could probably count on his support - that he was telling me not to bother. I tried not to look downhearted but said I'd apply anyway, hoping the response would be of the 'Yes, do; you stand as god a chance, etc etc' but instead got a kind of benignly pitying: "Good for you!" Super.
Should I apply, or am I very obviously wasting my time?

OP posts:

tectonicplates · 09/10/2020 19:44

You're more likely to get the job if you actually apply for it

Today, one of the very people who'd first approached me, sought me out to tell me there was now 'strong competition' and that the person is well-known to, and liked by, another key committee member.

This person is friends with the "strong competition" and is trying to put you off. Don't rise to the bait, just send your CV in!

girlsyearapart · 09/10/2020 19:48

I was in a similar position recently. Friend works at place , told her colleague in charge of the department about me who strongly advised me to apply.
I didn’t even get an interview !

girlsyearapart · 09/10/2020 19:49

Still think you should apply anyway though

Original poster

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 19:51

@tectonicplates

You're more likely to get the job if you actually apply for it

This person is friends with the "strong competition" and is trying to put you off. Don't rise to the bait, just send your CV in!

No, that's not the dynamic. He's known me all my life - not actually dangled me on his knee, but . . . - and I think would fight for me. The fact that he seemed quite regretful makes me think support for the other person is such that it's a done deal. I feel I've set out my stall, so if I apply and don't get it because in reality the decision has been made, then I'll be resentful. I suppose my question will be answered if I don't apply having made it clear I'm very keen, and no-one mentions it.

OP posts:

Original poster

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 19:53

@girlsyearapart

I was in a similar position recently. Friend works at place , told her colleague in charge of the department about me who strongly advised me to apply. I didn’t even get an interview !

Yes - my exact fear. Means bugger all, really, doesn't it, being strongly advised to apply? 😂 Hope you're happy and in gainful employment, now!

OP posts:

Campurp · 09/10/2020 19:54

I say go for it. If you don’t get the job after the interview then use the feedback in preparation for your next interview.
If you don’t go for it you’ll always wonder ‘what if’.

Original poster

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 19:54

dandled me.

OP posts:

tectonicplates · 09/10/2020 19:55

that's not the dynamic. He's known me all my life - not actually dangled me on his knee, but . . . - and I think would fight for me. The fact that he seemed quite regretful makes me think support for the other person is such that it's a done deal.

Has he maybe overheard a conversation where someone has praised this other person and he's made up his own mind that they favour this person? Does he know for sure what he's talking about?

Spam88 · 09/10/2020 19:56

There's nothing to be lost by applying. The only certainty is that if you don't apply you won't get it.

FinallyHere · 09/10/2020 19:58

The only way to guarantee that you don't get it, is as PP pointed out, to not apply.

There is no way that you can understand the whole dynamic, who knows why your contact appears to have changed sides.

I would encourage you to go for it with an open and enquiring kind. It's as much you interviewing them and vice versa. If you can come out of the interview having found out as much as possible about the opportunity and feel that you have represented yourself fairly, that would be a good outcome. A really excellent outcome.

Everything else will be due to factors beyond your control. If you do your best and don't get it, then know that there is an even better opportunity for you out there.

All the best.

LilOldMe · 09/10/2020 20:02

So much speculation and thinking about this going on! Why is it this complicated? Just apply, see what happens. Good luck.

AnnaFour · 09/10/2020 20:03

I’d apply anyway. This other person might be liked by one committee member but I assume it is not entirely their decision? This other competition might not be as good at interview as they are on paper, might decide not to even apply, might not be all this committee member has made them out to be - so many things!

Just try your best and look on it as a learning experience. At the end of the day, if you apply you have a chance, if you don’t you definitely have zero chance.

If this other person is a better fit for the job and wants it then it’s right it goes to them. But there are a lot of potential variables between now and that happening.

Qwom · 09/10/2020 20:04

What will you lose if you apply for it?...

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 09/10/2020 20:04

@Spam88

There's nothing to be lost by applying. The only certainty is that if you don't apply you won't get it.

This.

It sounds like you are maybe talking about a fairly unusual employment situation (although appreciate you don’t want to give outing details!), so you’ll have a clearer view on this than anyone else here, but I would be healthily sceptical about whether your long-standing acquaintance actually knows it’s a done deal for this other applicant, and wonder whether others involved in making that decision would be horrified to think he’s merrily spreading this sort of sentiment.

FWIW I’m in a mildly similar position at the min - just applied for a move at work which lots of people told me I should go for, would be very well placed etc. A friend is on the panel and said to me “it’s a really strong field - you’re definitely good enough, but prep hard!”, which is a more unambiguously encouraging message than you’ve had I know. The same bottom line is true for both of us though - the feedback if unsuccessful will still be really valuable, and the only way of definitely not getting it is by not trying.

Good luck!

Original poster

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 20:06

Thanks, all. I don't think he's changed sides, btw - I think he's telling me that others on the panel have indicated that they'd go for the (putative) candidate suggested by the bloke on the panel who is pretty influential and that he can't really help me (I think the panel is five-strong - I know one very well; one quite well; one very vaguely and two not at all).
I probably will apply, but I feel very disheartened. I suspected there'd be a fair few applicants - it's an attractive job for a number of reasons, especially in a recession) but though I stood a good chance. Now I feel like I'm being told not to bother. Oh well.

OP posts:

Scweltish · 09/10/2020 20:07

Of course you should apply op! You can’t go through life scared of doing something incase you fail. At least you know you’ve tried, you’ll live forever with ‘what if’ I’m your head otherwise. What have you got to lose?

Original poster

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 20:17

Actually, I think I very definitely have something to lose, which is a bit of face. I've never really worked anywhere 'corporate' so don't know what it's like to be unsuccessful with an internal interview, but I guess it's a bit like that in that, if unsuccessful, I will have to see these people again. A lot. Except not in an office, and not with a job there, but in a place where everyone knows everyone and has a fair idea about their circumstances. They know, for example, that I'm badly-off. That I'm a single mum. They know I do lots of jobs to make ends meet. I absolutely don't expect these things to be germane as far as the recruitment process is concerned, but I expect I'll feel a bit embarrassed and resentful. Which I accept is all on me, but I'll still feel a bit like Emma Grundy in 'The Archers'. I think. I haven't listened in a while.

OP posts:

tectonicplates · 09/10/2020 20:18

He doesn't know this for a fact. It's speculation. Go for it. Do it!

SirGawain · 09/10/2020 20:20

If you want the job go for it! No one can second guess what will happen in the interview. I have been for jobs the everyone expected I would get and failed as well as those I didn't think I stood a chance for and got them.

Original poster

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 20:20

Well, I probably will apply. I accept that the bottom line is that I definitely won't get it if I don't. Thank you, all.

OP posts:

Original poster

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 20:24

@SirGawain

Thank you. You're not the only one who has made that comment, about expectations, and I know it's true. I shall do everything in my power to convince myself I haven't got a prayer. Shouldn't be too hard!

OP posts:

Notthetoothfairy · 09/10/2020 20:31

Good luck OP, hope you get it.

FinallyHere · 09/10/2020 20:38

Formerly UK, now international corporate here.

unsuccessful with an internal interview

Applying for a role is seen as a way to signal interest in future roles. Feedback is provided to support a future bid, by showing what they are currently considered to be lacking and hence what they need to do before being successful.

I'd encourage you to ask for feedback. Good luck.

crowsfeet57 · 09/10/2020 20:43

I was strongly advised by the chief executive, the director and the manager to apply for a job I had been covering for a year. Despite that they gave it to an outside applicant who made me redundant.

You should still apply. if you interview well it would be hard to justify not giving it to you.

Original poster

PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe · 09/10/2020 20:47

I really don't mean to sound like a gloomy old cow, but the environment and job in question is so wildly different from a corporate role. If I don't get this position, I can't really imagine there'd be any 'feedback' and there won't be the scope for me to apply for a dozen similar roles elsewhere when I've got more experience under my belt I'm tied to this locale, and I'm also not in the first flush of youth. It'll be ok, though. I'll keep plugging away with my miscellany of minimum wage jobs. I can feed and clothe my kids - even the immensely gangly teenager! - just, which is more than some can do. I'm just feeling a bit 'Taste of Honey' ish.

OP posts:

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