to apply for a job I think my friend might apply for?

[mooki]

We both work in the same company.

A job opportunity has come up in a sister company that I like the look of. Thinking about it, I believe it's the sort of thing she may well like the look of too.

I know she hates her job and is looking for a way out at the moment. I am fairly p*ssed off with my role too - hence the looking around - but I'm not quite as desparate as she is to change.

I haven't asked her if she is applying for it yet, as I kind of feel that if I knew she was, then I shouldn't.

We are fairly different candidates, we don't have the same background so will match parts of the job spec with different strengths.

I don't think that if we were the only two candidates for this job that I would get it and she wouldn't - we stand a fairly even chance - with her possibly being slightly ahead. And maybe neither of us would get it. It's not like I'm completely b*ggering her chances by applying.

If I ask her if she minds me applying would she feel politely obliged to say no?

If I don't ask her and then get the job, will she hate me?

Why do you need to even mention it to her?

I would apply for it, and discuss later if it comes up. If she too applies you can say "oh great minds think alike" and laugh about how you won't fall out if one you gets it.....

No, of course you're not being unreasonable. Go for it!

I think you should apply, tho I would tell her up front on the basis of "I'm applying for this job, are you going to as well?" - which makes it clear that you are not bothered about her applying - and then if she wants to, you can joke about the best man winning etc. I wouldn't expect a friend not to apply.

I had the exact same situation last year. Myself and my best friend at work applied for the same promotion within our department. There was much soul searching involved, but without sounding too heartless, you have to look after your own career.

As it happens, neither of us got the job But it didn't affect our friendship. Just be honest.

I asked this question fairly recently and the consensus on here was to go for it.
Neither of us got the job so it didn't really matter.
We are or were untill I left last week, workmates rather than friends but we still get on fine.
In fact she often e-mails me with jobs she has seen that she thinks might suit me, and printed an application form for me just last week.

Go for it.

Tell her about the job, I think that's a nice thing to do, and make it clear you won't mind if she applies. You sound like a nice person!

You are being too nice. Go for it!

YANBU, you could tip her off about the job too. what a lovely friend you are!

If you are right for the job chances are you will get it - if shes more suitable it will go to her - may the best (wo) man win!!.

You cant hold your life in case she wants it - nor are you her employment dviser in real life its everyone for themselves.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

I understand how you feel, it's hard when you think that you might stop your friend getting a job, especially if she is more desperate for a change than you are... but as you say, you are both very different candidates, so I think you should tell her you have seen the ad, tell her you are applying and suggest she does too - with (as nickschick said) a 'let the best man win approach.

However, if it was me and we were both well matched I would probably ask my friend if she was going to apply for it, then not apply myself if I knew she was more fed up than I was with my job... but I can be a bit too soft for my own good!!

Thanks all. I feel a bit better - it's always nice to be told you're nice! I will mention it but apply anyway.

The problem is chipping in that the next time it happens the other person won't stand by for you.

Just go for it! I've just applied for a new job, knowing 3 of my work mates have also applied.

It won't affect the way we work, and it shouldn't do for you and your mate.

Similar thing happened to me - I mentioned a job to a friend, we both applied and she got it!

Apply for it. If you want to be a kind friend mention the job to her (I saw this, going to apply for it, thought you might be interested too), but you don't have to.

If you have different skills then it's unlikely that one of you will be ruining the other's chances. If you would have got the job, but stood aside for your friend (or vice versa) they will probably employ someone else whose background/qualifications are more like yours, and not employ your friend anyway.

TrillianEAstraEgg - that's a very good point.

I mentioned the job and the fact that I was applying to my friend. She said she didn't mind me applying. She is applying and also knew a few other colleagues going for it too.

Off to write a covering letter...

Trillian's right, it is highly unlikely that the two of you are going to be the only two people applying for the job, so neither of you is having that much of an impact on the other's chances by applying.