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Pressure to apply for job

8 replies

Martsem · 12/08/2023 10:14

A job has come up at work. I have done this role before on and off over the years and various roles in that team and am very experienced. The team want me to apply. The downsides are there is no area for personal growth as I have exhausted all tasks of the role. I would be on the same pay as now.

The line manager is new to this line of work so has 5 months experience and I have 9 years experience. This line manager has been asking me for help on how to do things because I have more knowledge and experience and they won't ask their manager through fear of looking incompetent. I just don't get how I can learn and progress if I know more than the line manager.

The workload is unreasonable. I would be expected to do tasks more than is possible in the working week. Lots of chasing people, staff and customers which I find really frustrating because other people did not get the correct information from the customer the first time round. I would find it boring as I have done the tasks so much over the years.

Then I would be expected to do the line manager's job when they are on holiday so my work gets delayed by a week but I get no help or support to catch up. I have done this before for 18 months with constant catching up and don't want to do this again.

I don't see any benefits to this job. If they ask why I have not applied for the job what do I say?

OP posts:
mumlovesvodka · 12/08/2023 10:15

You answered your own question... you simply say 'I don't see any benefits to this job'

Paddingtonsmarmlade · 12/08/2023 10:17

I feel I'm overqualified for this role

AuntieSoap · 12/08/2023 10:17

You say pretty much what you've said here, but leave out the bit about your boss feeling incompetent. Focus on the personal growth bit, but pragmatically find a way to also say that the workload would be unmanageable.

Sounds like you should have your boss's job OP!

Martsem · 12/08/2023 10:24

AuntieSoap · 12/08/2023 10:17

You say pretty much what you've said here, but leave out the bit about your boss feeling incompetent. Focus on the personal growth bit, but pragmatically find a way to also say that the workload would be unmanageable.

Sounds like you should have your boss's job OP!

The head of department wanted me to apply for the manager's job and said I was the best person for the role but I declined. I would have got the job and the manager goes round saying they got the job but they wouldn't if I had applied.

I declined because the department manager did it before as was doing too much and burnt out multiple times - other staff spotted this and tried to support but they struggled with their work too. I could bide my time and see if this manager leaves. Or do the role elsewhere as organisations in the sector are doing fixed term contracts to get rid of backlogs with this type of work but where I work they just expect you to struggle with the high workload on get on with it.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 12/08/2023 10:27

Paddingtonsmarmlade · 12/08/2023 10:17

I feel I'm overqualified for this role

That would be a really good answer. I must say I had thought just make a feeble excuse. Do what suits you.

Martsem · 12/08/2023 10:32

Paddingtonsmarmlade · 12/08/2023 10:17

I feel I'm overqualified for this role

That is a great answer. That is the truth and decent employers want people to grow.

OP posts:
LadinLee · 12/08/2023 11:18

Agree to say you're over qualified and listen say that role is not part of your career development plan.

Aprilx · 12/08/2023 12:28

I would just say I don’t fancy it.

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