Unlikely to get a job I'm going for

[PoorMansPaulaRadcliffe]

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?

@crowsfeet57

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.

Jesus. I haven't the stomach for high-powered roles, I can see that. That sounds abominable

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.

I once got a job and found out that another new starter, in a more junior role, had unsuccessfully applied for my job (but impressed enough to be offered an alternative role). I said on day one I hoped they were no hard feelings; she said of course not - and that was it. Never mentioned again in the two years we worked together.

Without wanting to be rude, no one else cares that much.

Do it do it do it. Apply.

I'm interim at the moment and decided not to apply for the permanent role largely because the CEO drives me batty. They've given it to someone less experienced than me and I'm kind of kicking myself because I've got way more experience than the person they appointed.

The practise of applying and interviews is very useful.

@StillCoughingandLaughing

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.

I once got a job and found out that another new starter, in a more junior role, had unsuccessfully applied for my job (but impressed enough to be offered an alternative role). I said on day one I hoped they were no hard feelings; she said of course not - and that was it. Never mentioned again in the two years we worked together.

Without wanting to be rude, no one else cares that much.

Yes, but she still had a job at the company, didn't she? She went for the more senior position, didn't get it, but had a desk to return to. This is entirely my point. Ordinarily, if you go for a job and you're unsuccessful, you either won't have to see those people again or, if it's internal, you will, and it might be a bit shit and awkward for a bit but at least you'll still have your existing job at the end of it all. If I go for it, and don't get it, I will indeed have to see them again, and it'll probably be when I'm serving them a pint, looking after their kids, or scrubbing their lavs. And I'd struggle with that, a bit. Sorry. I don't place that high a value on myself, but I have a smidgen of pride. I already worry that people rip it out of my son because of my motley collection of menial jobs. His friends at the well-regraded grammar he attends, tend to have parents who order high-end cuisine, not ones who serve it. And he's very cool about it, but I'm not falling over myself to tell him I've tried and failed to get a salaried role I could probably do standing on my head. I'm not thick, for what it's worth.

@travailtotravel

Do it do it do it. Apply.

I'm interim at the moment and decided not to apply for the permanent role largely because the CEO drives me batty. They've given it to someone less experienced than me and I'm kind of kicking myself because I've got way more experience than the person they appointed.

The practise of applying and interviews is very useful.

Thanks. Vacillating like crazy but I probably will. I think. Or I won't. One of the two 😂

He's giving you a heads up that the competition is stiff. So fgs up your game! It aint over till its over. Why are you rolling over and giving this job to someone you don't even know?

Yes, but she still had a job at the company, didn't she? She went for the more senior position, didn't get it, but had a desk to return to. This is entirely my point. Ordinarily, if you go for a job and you're unsuccessful, you either won't have to see those people again or, if it's internal, you will, and it might be a bit shit and awkward for a bit but at least you'll still have your existing job at the end of it all. If I go for it, and don't get it, I will indeed have to see them again, and it'll probably be when I'm serving them a pint, looking after their kids, or scrubbing their lavs.

But you seem to think that when you serve that pint, they’ll take it back to their table and whisper to their companion, ‘Can you believe that woman behind the bar applied for a job with us?!’ They honestly won’t be. People are not constantly watching and judging.

@StillCoughingandLaughing

Yes, but she still had a job at the company, didn't she? She went for the more senior position, didn't get it, but had a desk to return to. This is entirely my point. Ordinarily, if you go for a job and you're unsuccessful, you either won't have to see those people again or, if it's internal, you will, and it might be a bit shit and awkward for a bit but at least you'll still have your existing job at the end of it all. If I go for it, and don't get it, I will indeed have to see them again, and it'll probably be when I'm serving them a pint, looking after their kids, or scrubbing their lavs.

But you seem to think that when you serve that pint, they’ll take it back to their table and whisper to their companion, ‘Can you believe that woman behind the bar applied for a job with us?!’ They honestly won’t be. People are not constantly watching and judging.

Ha! You obviously don't live in my village, so at least I can rule you out as a committee member. I'm not saying it'll be a hot topic for years to come, but there'll be a few months of sympathetic head-tilting and possibly even some pity-tipping. They'll see me as a plucky middle-aged scrapper, trying to drag myself up from the gutter before the game is up completely. And I know I'm not wrong about that. It's now about whether I can cope with that behaviour if I take the risk and apply. I probably can. It's only a smidgen of pride we're talking about, after all 😂

I think you’re over thinking this. You want the job- apply!

Competition is tough so know that you really have to blow them away at interview and even then you might not get it, but so what? You definitely won’t get it if you don’t apply!

I would never look down on someone for applying for a job and not getting it but I would for someone who had the potential but lacked the nerve to apply. I interview a lot and often see members of staff that I interviewed and they weren’t successful. We always talk about what went well and ways they can improve next time.

I applied for an internal role and was literally interviewed this afternoon and told I didn’t get it. I felt a bit shit for about half an hour, then cracked open some wine and now I feel alright again. Colleagues that knew I went for it have been super supportive and nice. My line manager was on the panel and sent me a text saying she was proud of me. Our senior boss who called with the rejection wants to talk to me about my future prospects. Me and the colleague who got it have been mutually supportive throughout the process and I’ve congratulated her and she’s been lovely back. It’s definitely been more good than bad.

I don’t know your specific circumstances and it is possible you work with a bunch of arseholes who will revel in your failure, but most people are quite nice really.

Op apply for it.

I applied for three jobs and I've been offered them all

Didn't think I'd get any of them.

I definitely know I'm overthinking it, I grant you. I'm becoming neurotic, even though I know I'm not exactly wrong to feel like this.

If you do go for it, in the application and in the interview, be 100% positive about the job, and about your abilities to do it. Do not say any comparisons with your current work, nothing like 'after lots of part time jobs I really want a decent salary' or anything self deprecating at all. Then you'll have nothing to lose face about.

OP, are you ok?
Your posts are increasingly reminding me of a couple of people I have known well, both very intelligent people battling some grinding but not extraordinary situations, and both ending up developing a bit of an intense narrative about where they fit (or didn’t) in their local community, and honestly it was so very much in their heads. Other people just didn’t care in the way both women were sure they must. So I wonder.

It’s clear you’re in a very different sort of environment to any I know, and this application (is it some sort of a trustee type role? It’s clearly of significance to the community rather than just one employer?) is an atypical one. Nonetheless I think separating out your application from your perceptions about how your neighbours see you would be a constructive thing to do.

Good luck op you should deffo apply .

But you seem to be talking yourself out of a job here. They already know you have shown an interest so it won’t make much (or any) difference if you go for it and don’t get it.

If you interview well and they score you formally as they should you have just as much chance as anyone , do not give into imposter syndrome!! You can do this and we’ve all been there good luck