AIBU to apply for an internal promotion that I am 99% sure I won't get

[ohcarolina2001]

My boss's job has been advertised as a maternity leave cover. Looking at the job description and application questions I am not at all confident it's the job for me.
A year ago I would have definitely applied but there has been a restructure since then and this job is now more senior than it was. The job has been advertised internally and externally simultaneously, adding to my doubts about whether they think anyone internal can do it. I am currently on maternity leave myself too so feel out of the loop and unconfident to boot. And is returning to work with an 11 month old baby the right time to take on a bigger role? - probably not.
But since opportunities like this don't come up often, is it worth applying just to demonstrate that I am keen to progress - or would I just look foolish applying for a job I am unlikely to get? They will almost certainly interview me since I am internal, even if they think I don't have the right skills to do the role - but will they think I am a PITA time waster? Of course interview practice and feedback after the interview can be very useful.

YABU - don't waste your time or their time by applying for a job you know you won't get
YANBU - got to be in it to win it. Apply and worst case you will get interview practice and feed back

Go for it - you never know. 👍

Go for it. I applied for a senior role when I was really junior, and knew there was no way I'd get it. They were impressed with me at interview so were able to create a trainee role for me and a couple of years later, I'm now doing that senior role having proved my worth as a trainee.

You'll never know unless you try

If you don't apply there is a 100% chance you won't get it

Give it a go

YANBU - got to be in it to win it. Apply and worst case you will get interview practice and feed back

Exactly this!
Where I work, it would show your commitment to progressing your career. This has happened in my department, so although this person didn’t get the job (another person had been working towards the role for a good while), when another opportunity came up they got it because they’d previously been interviewed (and were great at their job).
If nothing else it should make HR/managers aware they should be helping you develop.
Good luck!

I have just done exactly this recently. I didn't get the job, but got excellent feedback, and it was made clear to me that I would be a good candidate for another role (slightly less senior but a good promotion nonetheless), which is about to be advertised. In the interim, the managers have set up some mentoring for me, and have been including me in higher level discussions and meetings.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, I will give it a go!

I've gone twice for jobs for interview experience purposes and been offered them! Go for it and good luck.

Absolutely go for it. There is no harm done if you don't get it but the practice of going through the recruitment process, and the feedback you get, will be helpful if you don't get it. Plus you never know - you might actually be the best candidate. So do your very best, don't be defeatist and don't tell anyone involved in the recruitment that you don't expect to get it.

Obviously if they do appoint someone else then you will have to do a bit of extra reassurance that you aren't going to resent that person.

Go for it!!!! It will show you have initiative and ambition and they will look at you in a new light. Youll put yourself on someones radar and it will pay off. Im doing much the same thing myself at the moment and its nerve wracking but you have to back yourself. Good luck!!!!

Definitely go for it..

I went for a job that was senior to me, the other internal person that went for the job had been covering the role for a year. They go the job (fair enough - they had the experience) but I’ve been given several (paid) opportunities to step up since then, with loss of additional training and feedback has been amazing.

If I decided to move on from my job I’d be in a good position. I don’t want to. But it’s good to have options!!!

Agree with others. Give yourself time to prepare for the interview, show your worth and your potential then who knows ....good luck

Do it!
I applied for acting up cover recently and didn't get it but I then went for a similar role in another organisation and was successful and I know that having the interview practice and feedback helped.

Please apply. Even if you don't get it, it's good to apply.

So glad you're going for it,I echo what everyone says. I've applied for roles I didn't want and wouldn't get and then when ones I have came up they've given me them without redoing the full interview process, just quick chats instead

It signals your interest. If you're not quite ready for it, it's possible there will be an opportunity later. For example, if you boss decides to go part-time after maternity leave, they might look at splitting the role to give you more responsibility at that point.

Definitely throw in for it!

Highlight the relevant skills you do have and don't underestimate the value of knowing the local systems, processes and general who's who and how things are done which will mean a much easier start and training period for you compared to an external Candidate. Even if you aren't chosen, you've shown your ambition and initiative.

You won't be seen as a PITA. if you don't meet the criteria you won't be interviewed and if the panel waste time interviewing really unsuitable candidates then that's on them! Good luck

Go for it - even if you don’t get it they will know you have ambition to progress and consider you a candidate in the future.

Do it. Shows intent if nothing else.

100% go for it. A) you never know but importantly B) shows ambition and the feedback will be helpful either way!

Go for it. As others have said if nothing else it signals your intentions and gives you (hopefully) interview practice. I would add that it also gives you the incentive to review your CV, which let’s face it is lower than ironing on most peoples to do list.

If you keep an up to date CV then firstly you are less likely to forget things that you have achieved and secondly it means you are prepared if another job comes into view.

I applied for my current job while being pretty sure I wouldn’t get it.

The only question you should ask yourself is do you want the job? If so, go for it.

But you will need to talk yourself up a lot more inside and out than you just did in that post

@ScrapThatThen

The only question you should ask yourself is do you want the job? If so, go for it.

Completely agree with this. Other point I'd ask myself is would I get the support I need to complete the role successfully? One to weigh up from your own knowledge but also delve into at interview. This will be important if this is a step up for you.

What’s with women and sell-doubt? Go for it!