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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To lie on application form?

14 replies

NewJobApp · 27/10/2022 20:46

Part of application form asks “have you applied for a job previously if yes give details”. I did and didn’t get shortlisted. I spent so many hours doing the form and personal statement. It’s not an exaggeration I literally can see 14 versions of my personal statement on my computer. I put so much effort into it. I have never spent this much time. I was heartbroken that I didn’t get shortlisted when I should have, later found out they already had given it to an internal candidate but had to advertise for some reason. Person that told me shouldn’t have and I promised I wouldn’t tell and I haven’t until I’ve just written it here!

so another job (different one) has come up and I know I have a chance at it. I’m highly qualified and this is amazing. But I’m worried about making it look like I’m desperate if I write “yes I have applied for such and such job”

what would you do?

YABU = tell the truth. It won’t make u look desperate.

YANBU = don’t write it. There’s no way they’ll know.

OP posts:

Chickenpeppers · 27/10/2022 20:49

Be honest, it might actually work in your favour if they ask why you applied again, you can reiterate your relevant skills and experience for the role

MuggleMe · 27/10/2022 21:17

I suspect it's as much about if hr have to create a new application file for you or if there is one already as anything else. If you lie on this you're so easily found out and immediately make yourself seem untrustworthy.

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 27/10/2022 21:18

Well when they go to the database to create a new entry and find all your details you'll look like a liar so then they probably won't hire you. There's no way in this day and age that they can't answer this question for themselves, so it's an exercise in honesty.

Augend23 · 27/10/2022 21:19

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 27/10/2022 21:18

This.

theswoot · 27/10/2022 21:20

Yeah lying on your application probably isn’t the best start - tell the truth. I can’t imagine it would go against you.

FallopianTubeTrain · 27/10/2022 21:20

Or look at it the other way, it shows you have a genuine interest in wanting to work for that company

Sunandflowers · 27/10/2022 21:21

Don’t lie! They will likely have you in their database anyway.

NumptiesIncorporated · 27/10/2022 21:22

Definitely don't lie.

It's a positive that you are so keen to work for the company that you reapply despite being knocked back. At best they'll think you've forgotten you applied before, which isn't great, at worst they will realise you lied, which is even less great.

ParentallyUnprepared · 27/10/2022 21:43

I did this but for a phone interview, because I didn't want to come across desperate.

The same woman interviewed me again. Recognised my CV. Asked me outright if I'd applied before and I said no and she told me I had. I had to pretend I had absolutely no recollection of that interview and made a complete twat of myself.

And no, I didn't get the job.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 27/10/2022 21:48

Apart from the fact it's illegal?

Artygirlghost · 27/10/2022 22:18

@VeniVidiWeeWee
Apart from the fact it's illegal?

Yes, prisons are full of people who didn't mention they had already applied for a job that is being advertised again...lighten up.

OP it is likely that they have your details on file as a previous applicant anyway so there is no point in trying to hide it.

DragonflyNights · 27/10/2022 22:21

Got someone at my work who originally applied for a different role. The feedback about that was they were impressed he came back and applied again as it showed he really wanted to work for us!

Lagattolove · 27/10/2022 22:26

I work in public sector recruitment and we have applicants reapply and to multiple jobs. No judgement. Sometimes it’s just the wrong time. I actually silently champion the names I’ve seen before.

ConfusedGin · 27/10/2022 22:38

Be honest. It says give details but you don't need to give that much detail. "I applied for / expressed my interest in the role of X in month year" That's enough for them to join the dots - they will be able to find your records and will recall what happened to that role.

As long as you put in a strong application, you should be judged on the merits of that and against the pool of people you're up against.

I've had someone apply for jobs in my team twice (different levels appropriate at the time). I recognised them immediately and they were shortlisted on their second application because they deserved to be. They tanked the interview but that's not the point.

I also went back to a strong candidate to let them know about a different role that they had the core skills for. They submitted the same application - literal copy and paste - which meant that others scored more highly in the shortlisting criteria so making sure you're adapting your application for this new role and it's criteria is key. But you know that.

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