Job application etiquette

[Eminybob]

I've just applied for a new job on a bit of a whim. Pissed off in current job due to politics, underpaid and undervalued etc.

Seen a role almost identical to mine at a competitor company, no salary on the ad, but I hear anecdotally that they pay generously.

They have emailed me with some follow up questions, but given I tick every box on the job spec and have loads of relevant experience so I think it's likely I'll get an interview.

But... I'm really not sure I want to leave my current job. What if I'm just having a bad week? January blues and all that. I love my team, the office is close to where I live, it's hybrid but I enjoy being in the office. The other job is fully remote, but I don't really have an office space at home.

Would I be terribly thought of if I turned down an interview? Or worse, interviewed, got the job and turned it down? I would only consider it anyway if it was a decent pay rise.
Just don't know if I've done the wrong thing by submitting the application if I'm not 100% sure I'd take the job.

I've only moved company once before by the way and that was due to redundancy so no experience of this before.

What would you do?

Not at all, people go to interviews all
The time just to see what options are out there, to gain confidence in interviews, etc. if you happened to get the job you are within every right to decline, they may ask your reasons for declining but you can be honest, they might negotiate with you if they really want you

No one knows if they'll take the job when they apply! It's as much an interview process for you to find out about them, as for them to find out about you. I'd still go through the whole process and then weigh your options. Good luck!

I'd reply to their questions but also ask for the salary in the same email. Might not be what you want anyway so you've no decision to make.

Thanks, that is what DH says, I have nothing to lose really.

They asked for my salary expectations so I have pitched what I would like - that might be a deal breaker for them!

You're overthinking this. People apply for jobs and then pull out of interviews, turn down job offers all the time!
Many people are applying for more than 1 job at a time so if they're offered one they want they pull out of the other one.

You also don't know how much you'll want/like the role until you've had a chance to ask more questions about it at an interview

I did similar recently, almost identical situation to you re: current job and I would definitely ask the salary as per PP before going further. For me it wasn’t worth interviewing unless they could guarantee some specific flexibility re: hours so I was upfront about this after the initial call and they were happy to proceed.

I hadn’t interviewed in 8 years so even if I hadn’t got the job, I now had an up to date CV and all the interview prep ready to go for any another opportunity. It’s great practice.

Good Luck!

Currently in an almost identical situation to you. I got offered a job in October and have been going through relevant checks etc since that time and then Christmas came and went during that time I’ve gone back to work and been given a pay increase. Went back to prospective employer and asked if they would match my new salary. Amazingly they have - which I wasn’t expecting so now going to go for the new job and accept the offer. Fed up in my job at the moment, colleague went behind my back and used me for their own benefit, like you feel undervalued and nothing positive to say about the place other than it was handy working flexibly and from home most days but I’m done with it now and want to move on. I’m sure you’ll make the best decision for you, good luck 😌

Well, I have had a chat with the recruiter today, the starting salary is at the top end of my expectations, and the role sounds almost identical to what I am doing now. It would be at least a 20% pay increase.

I have an interview next week.

I can't believe this is happening to be honest, I almost wished that the salary would be too low so I didn't have to make a difficult decision.

But I'm actually a little bit excited actually. Eek.