Would you reapply for your job

[DynamoKev]

It looks as if, following a merger, some or all of us may be invited to apply for our current jobs.
I realise that organisations only merge to save costs and the result will be some people left without a job - that's just how capitalism works.
I have minimal employment rights as I have been in the job less than 2 years (thanks Tories and Tory voters).
If this happens I am considering not applying as I consider the process demeaning. I think I could probably get a job somewhere else and this one isn't wonderful. Would you apply for your existing job if they asked you?

It's. Not competing fairly though is it?

If management don't know who is good and who isn't they are pretty poor managers . An interview process may make them justify their prejudice it won't overcome it

And applying for a role favours those who are good at job applications and interviews, which may not translate into good at the job at all

They did at our place and had to stop it as they were keeping all the white males and someone spotted that

If management don't know who is good and who isn't they are pretty poor managers

It's a merger situation. None of the managers will know all the staff.

@Anniegetyourgun

Never mind the process, do you need the money?

It's a bit reckless to flounce out of one job without securing another, especially in these times.

Yes I need the money, but I don't have to get it from this job - other jobs are out there - I got this one in the middle of a pandemic.

I don't regard it as a flounce - I can just not do it and see what the reaction is.

I don't intend to beg for a job I already have/had.

Yep, I would!

@SamMil

I was in a similar position and I decided not to bother. I really loved my job but there were reasons not to - I didn't want to compete against my colleagues, I didn't want to have to go into an interview to explain why I would be a good fit for a role I was already doing, etc.

In the end it all worked out fine as I got offered a job a week later where I gained a much broader range of experience and a higher salary.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Thanks for this - this is in line with my thinking at present.

I work in the public sector, I’ve done this 3 times. It’s a pain but necessary. I think it’s also good as people need to up their game sometimes and don’t just coast in a job for 20 years without making an effort.

I don't think it's demeaning and I would try not to take it too personally (easier said than done)

I would apply. If you get it, you could continue to search for a new job, and you may be able to negotiate a higher salary if you're currently in employment

The brave part of me would say that I'd tell them to shove their job up their fucking arse, with custard. The rational part of me would just be fucked off but get on with it.

One way or another you'll be applying for another job soon. It's not so much the process of reapplying for the job you already do, it's the statement they are making: you are disposable, replaceable, you have no value.

You know what? I would apply for the job again... but be applying for lots of others too. The ideal scenario would be to get/keep your job, then quit soon after for a new one - this would be the way to cause the most inconvenience to them.

Why is it demeaning?

In my experience employees much prefer the chance to shine in an interview than relying on a redundancy selection matrix where you get zero chance to input/influence.

No big drama! They’ve merged people will lose jobs I’d be bending over backwards to follow due process and cooperate!

I have recently had to do this. It was incredibly stressful, it was a competency based interview that i have very little experience of. There was two of us going for one job.

Not something i care to repeat

Capitalism as a whole is demeaning, unless you're the 1% making money out of forcing people to beg\compete for their old jobs. I'm sure they'd prefer a gladiator-style contest, but that's still illegal (for now).

This is no worse than many of the things various bosses will make you do, so it really would depend on how much I liked the job, what my chances were of getting a better one and how much I'd love to tell them to stick their re-application process up their arse.

I'm employed but have applied elsewhere recently. It's been sobering not to get any interest, even for jobs I felt well qualified for. Apply elsewhere by all means, but unless you hate it, I'd apply for your current job too.

Try having to reapply 8 times in 18 years! I was a bit institutionalised looking back and the company was badly ran with constant changes at the top. But I had great colleagues and interesting rolls and well paid for that industry. The 8 th time I walked away

I agree it's demeaning, but it depends how much you need the job.

I would on the basis I had nothing to lose, while also applying elsewhere. No point cutting off my nose to spite my face.

Of course, I wouldn't want to limit my options so I'd apply for my own job, and others too. Nothing to lose if you do both.

Just do it and continue to look for another job. It is always easier to negotiate for better pay in your next job if you got the current job in hand as leverage. Otherwise, the other employer will smell blood and drive a harder bargain. It is a feather in your cap if you get the job back from your employer because it shows they value you (over someone else). Again, good story at your next interview.

Redundancy exercises are pretty common these days. They are a blunt tool. See it as just a 'process', and not one that produces the best result for the company or retains the best people but is a 'process' which reduces headcount and duplication in a merger. Therefore, play the game dispassionately and look out for No.1.

If you need the job then do it, if you don’t then don’t.

I personally wouldn't; I don't really need to work and I am a bit bored of my role; itwould be the kick up the butt I needed to leave and find something new.
However in the current climate it might not be easy to find something else so do consider that.

I am doing this at the moment. I work in a great role in the private sector. Second time I have done it following a restructure, although last time I managed to get a promotion (been at the company 8 years).

Seems very odd to me that you wouldn't, if you would otherwise want to keep working there.

My first job I had a one year contract, at the end of the year I had to interview again. Everyone does at my work place. Yes it was a bit 🤨 but i don’t think I’m above it.

I’ve always avoided it but have seen colleagues go through the process and it’s never nice. People still talk about the last one years ago with a huge amount of bitterness.

I saw it once where a colleague had done a role on a temporary basis and argued it should be a band higher. Poor lady applied, didn’t get it and then had no job. She was properly shafted.

I've done this several times and in hindsight, because I was much younger, I wouldn't do it. This economic climate is tough but there are still jobs.

Its a horrible process, in the past I avoided it by finding another job before the interview stage.
So definitely keep your eyes peeled for something else.
However depending on your financial situation I would apply for my own job if I hadnt found another one beforehand but through need not choice- Its the absolute pits but sadly fairly common.

I have had to re apply for my role on 4 separate occasions following various changes within my 30 year career, most of them the last 5 years of it

I wanted to stay

If you dont then don’t put yourself forward