Job adverts written with a specific person in mind

[Mygardenandme]

Just a moan really. I knew there was a job coming up in a team I want to work in. Given what the job is and my experience, I thought I'd have a chance.

Someone on the team knows I was planning to apply and thought the same. They just forwarded me the final draft of the job advert. It's confidential but they wanted to give me a heads up so I wasnt disappointed.

It's so specific and prescriptive, it's obviously written with someone in mind. I dont know who but it says things like "must have this specific qualification". It's an internal role and the qualification is quite obscure and not at all related to what we do as an organisation. There are various other points.

I know it happens. I guess Id rather know I dont have a chance before putting loads of effort in but I'm disappointed and frustrated.

Not in the public sector I work in.

Job criteria is written from the job description, which is the role you will be doing. The job description has to match the post, otherwise the employer is not filling the gap in the work required.

If you can't meet the job criteria and can't do the job, you'd soon be out as performance management targets will not be met.

The job came out today so I spoke with the manager. He said I should apply and he'll give me feedback when I'm unsuccessful. I said "when I'm unsuccessful? Hahaha". He obviously realised he said something he shouldnt have done and got all flustered and tried to backtrack. So they have someone already.

I'm going to apply and take him up on the feedback. My boyfriend said that at least Im not going in to it hopeful and I knpw where I stand which is true. Disappointing though.

Apply anyway definitely. I had a similar thing where the job was obviously earmarked for one particular guy and I don’t think they imagined anyone else would apply but I wanted it and I interviewed so well that in the end they split it between the two of us and then I was much better at it and he left and I got the whole job and am still doing it today.

how arseit of them @Mygardenandme !! (Think that’s how you spell it?!)
hopefully he’ll be feeling really awkward and uncomfortable now.
am really sorry that their shitty behaviour been confirmed.
wonder if is anyway you could really increase the uncomfortableness for them, or is that too petty?

@Watchweek I know how that’s meant to be (and if it is where you are / under you - that’s great) but in too many places unprofessionalism and favouritism, and structures where it’s impossible to manage people out can be rife!

They want you to apply so it looks like they gave you the opportunity but you weren't up to it. If it's that specific then no one else will apply either. Fuck em and look for another job.

But sounds like they’ve written it for a particular person, but if it is public sector they have to evidence they’ve interviewed others for the role. Even if theyre wasting some candidates time 🙄

That's what I'm saying. Don't play their game!

I'm looking at it from a practice point of view so I'm going to apply properly, spend most of tomorrow writing my personal statement, thinking of interview questions etc.

If you look at it from the pov that I won't get the job, then it is a waste of my time.

But I've decided that it's a good practice run for when something else comes up. I am going to take it as seriously as if I had a chance and will make an absolute nuisance of myself until I get proper, useful feedback afterwards.

It's a lot of work and I know I'll still be disappointed at the end of it but if the manager does give good feedback like he said he would, then it might be a good investment for future applications.

Good Thinking @Mygardenandme you are more mature than I, absolutely use it as practice for future interviews at jobs that bloody deserve you!
im immaturely hoping that they offer the job to shoe-in, you interview and get a better job elsewhere, shoe-in then rejects job and they come crawling to you but Nooo! You are onward and upwards!!