Calling before an interview.......

[Mobydick100]

Asking for a friend....
She's seen a job advertised...pay is about £25-30,000 p.a. Public sector. Local authority. Is it worth calling department and asking if she can visit department or is that a pointless/ stupid thing to do? Job involves doing home visits in deprived area... worth meeting manager before, hopefully making a good impression and learning more about job? Do people do this? Would it be looked on positively or just wasting everyone's time?
Thanks.

I don't work in public sector, but it seems a bit odd. Manager presumably won't have time to host dozens of people who are deciding whether they might like to apply for a job...?

No point at all as it's public sector. Applications and interviews are scored using strict criteria so something like this wouldn't be taken into consideration even if she makes a good impression. The most she should do would be to phone and have a brief chat with the manager about the role.

I doubt they would agree to it and it would likely be seen as an odd request.

She may be disqualified on the basis of potential canvassing if she’s asking to meet managers outside of the recruitment process.

That's really helpful- thanks.