To go for a job my colleague is also going for?

[Welshey]

Hi all,

In a bit of a moral dilemma. I’ve been working with a colleague on an ongoing project for 2 months or so.

She’s been at the company for 3 years, I’ve been at the company 1 year, but we only met 2 months ago as I had been working in a different office. Since then we work together pretty much all day, just the two of us and I really like her.

A role has come up in a rival and arguably better company. We work in a niche industry and roles like this do not come up very often.

I also really want to apply but I feel so guilty even thinking about going behind her back and doing so. I think either of us would stand a very decent chance of getting the role.

I am much more experienced in one aspect of the role, whereas she is much more experienced in an another aspect.

The thing is, I did not know about the role until she mentioned she was going to apply on Monday. I’d be stabbing her in the back if I applied and got the role.

She has mentioned multiple times this week she plans on applying but I have kept quiet…

Should I apply? Should I tell her? It’s so niche if I don’t tell her, there is a chance she will find out through the grapevine that I also applied…

Thank you in advance for your advice!

I think this is a valid point.

But I wouldn't value 2 months of knowing someone in a work capacity, where our paths might never cross again if one of us got a new role in a different company, over applying for a job I really wanted!

Does she know you’ve only found out because she’s mentioned it? Because that’s the only bit that’s could be seen as unfair. How did she know about it and you didn’t, is it possible you could have found this on your own??
I still think you go for it.

She would do it to you . Look on the work forum , people who have left a work place after many years only to be snubbed and forgotten about. Look after yourself at work.

Personally I would tell her I was applying and wish her luck.

If you're not worried about keeping up a friendship after you stop working together then apply, one of you get the job, you worked together for a couple of months and never see each other again, end of story! If you see yourselves as becoming life long friends outside work then don't apply.