Should I apply for this job?

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Not really an "issue" - more an ethical dilemma...

I'm on a fixed term contract for a company that I really like, and ideally would like to stay in long term.

An internal vacancy arose in a different department. I applied, got an interview yesterday but was unsuccessful.

But I got really good feedback and they have asked me to apply for a different vacancy that I had previously discounted. Reading the job description more carefully I think I could do it well.

The problem is that a good friend of mine at work has applied for this second vacancy. She is pretty unhappy in her current role (she was in tears at her desk on Monday) and has recently returned after a major operation so she is still feeling a bit fragile. She has confided in me what a big chance this could be for her.

I haven't been devious up to now - I had no plans to apply for this job until today - but I feel underhand in thinking about it now. On the other hand I do want to progress my career.

There is no guarantee that either of us will get the job - this was advertised to external candidates as well - but I've got til Friday to apply and I really don't know what to do!

Advice would be most welcome. Thanks.

If you want the job, apply for it.

As you've said, there's no guarantee that either of you will get it.

If you get it you haven't "stolen it" from her, they might not have given it to her anyway.

She may not feel like that of course.

Apply for it, but tell your friend first, be honest! If she found out later, that would be awful.

Also, if your friend is so unhappy at work something needs to be done about that, perhaps she has come back too soon from her sick leave?

Thank you both.

Tantrums I would definitely tell her, but feel sick even thinking about that conversation.

Her unhappiness stems directly from one individual in our department. The difficulties there are are well known but managers have yet to solve the problem.

A couple of things have happened this week which has made me realise how difficult the office atmosphere is, and her upset on Monday has motivated me to do something about it. Not sure what yet.

Sorry was distracted by toddler!

Its not up to you to sort out your friends unhappy work situation, maybe have a discreet word with her line manager.

Yes, I will do. Thank you :)

Off to be distracted by my own little one now but any other views most welcome.

Quick update for those who were kind enough to take an interest.

I applied, not heard anything back yet.

I spoke to my friend this morning. She was fab, completely supportive and lovely, as she is a fantastic person.

I still feel a bit of a heel, but less so.

We also talked about the problems in the office and might try to garner some support for improving things there.

I'll just keep talking to myself on this thread :)

My friend got an interview and I didn't - I assume, because I haven't heard anything and she has

I am so, so delighted for her - she's got a really good chance, and she will be fantastic at the job.

But I am pissed off that the recruiting team (a) made me go through all of that hassle and guilt of applying because they (b) didn't even have the courtesey to acknowledge my application let alone tell me that I wasn't short listed.

Par for the course these days I suppose.

Really glad to hear your friend has got an interview.

Really bemused about why you didn't, when you'd been asked to apply. It's possible your application form didn't hit all the right notes, but you absolutely must seek feedback, not least because you have no actual proof the application was received.

Hope you can improve the situation in your office, it's clearly not acceptable if your friend was in tears at her desk.

Thanks Tribpot (I'm not talking to myself then!)

I know. I've just sent off a faux breezy email to the recruiting manager to check that my application wasn't lost in the ether, I know it hasn't, but I WANT AN ANSWER!

Well they certainly owe you an answer, Unexpected.

How unprofessional of them!

If they invited you to apply they should at least let you know that you have been unsuccessful and why.

I'd think that if they asked you to apply then you should at least have an interview...

So I got a reply from my "just checking if you got my email" email on Sunday.

It didn't arrive, so they never received my application!

But, they have short listed now, so unless someone drops out they won't interview me.

I feel slightly better that I haven't been ignored, but how frustrating!

(And I am awake at silly o'clock because of a dream and a snoring husband)

Well, that makes sense in one way Unexpected, as it seems very odd that they would ask you to apply and then not shortlist you.

Not sure what you mean by 'it didn't arrive', are you saying you emailed the same account as you sent the application to? And you got a bounceback?

It didn't arrive? How annoying - how did that happen?

No explanation as to how it didn't arrive. I definitely sent it to the right place (used "reply" in my email to them), got no bounce back and the recruiting manager has checked deleted folders and junk folders.

We do every now and again get glitches in our email system so I guess I was just unlucky, or the spam filter quarantined it before it even reached their junk folder.

But, just had a call - I have an interview next Wednesday :)

(And also back to guilt for going up against my friend again...!)

Well, that's good news! Better than never really knowing which of you would have got the job if both applications had been considered :)

In the spirit of finishing a thread I just thought I would let anyone who was interested to know that I wasn't offered the job. I didn't feel I did particularly well in my interview TBH, I don't know why - nerves or tiredness or something. I'm not devastated which probably means that it wasn't for me.

But, my friend was not offered it either, and I think I'm more upset for her. She would have been genuinely fantastic at the job (I think I would have been winging it a bit) so I hope they've made the right choice...

Thanks for coming back, sorry it was bad news.