Would you apply for a job you don't want?
By Leca
@lecanis (16647)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
March 22, 2007 6:28am CST
My husband is encouraging me to apply for a job opening at my work that's likely going to be filled internally. It's a new position, not one someone already has. However, I don't really want the job. I just finally got my schedule to be exact hours I want, starting April 1st. I don't want the extra responsibility of this job, and frankly I like what I'm doing now. Not only that, but there is already someone who has applied for the job that I really hope will get it, and I'd rather not be her competition.
However, my husband says if I apply, then at least my bosses will know I eventually intend to move up. He doesn't think I would get it over the other people who have already applied anyways. He just thinks I should interview for the job so that it's known I have some ambition. He says there is no way I will be chosen for it, but what if I was?
What do you think? Would you apply for a job you didn't want just to show your ambition? And would you put yourself into competition with someone you feel actually deserves the job much more than you do?
4 people like this
8 responses
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
25 Mar 07
Your hubby won't be working that job you will ( unless he wants to apply for it ). If it's not going to make you happy don't do it. You are thinking to much again, just do which ever makes you happy. And remind hubby if you're miserable he probably will be too
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
25 Mar 07
I always think too much, I know. It's a curse or something. =p
It just helps for me to have other people's opinions about things like this. Not so much for the sake of help making the decision, but for making ME look at the situation from new perspectives.
1 person likes this
@seamonkey (1976)
• Ireland
25 Mar 07
Given the way you have described the situation, I don't think I would apply. The vare bones of it are: you don't want the job, you are happy in your current position, and you think there is a real possibility you might be chosen. Not a good combination for someone who doesn't want the job. Does your husband also work for the company? I'm not really sure why he thinks he knows better about whether you would be hired or not. Also, it'd be a shame to get the job you don't want over someone who is genuinely interested.
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
25 Mar 07
Nope, he doesn't work for the company. He does have management experience with another company, so he thinks that helps his standpoint on knowing about hiring. Of course, I also have management experience with another company, and of course I know the inner workings of the company I've now worked for 3 years at than he does. He's just one of those people who thinks he knows everything.
I think that last sentence of yours is the reason I really don't want to apply. There are people who really want this job, one of whom I really think would be wonderful at it, and I don't want to compete with someone who wants it far more than I do.
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I see no point in wasting time on a job you will not really enjoy. Life already has enough miseries waiting around every corner, so why go about creating your own? Even if you make more money, that will not overcome your dislike of the job for very long. Decide on the job you do want and go after that one. You will be able to crate a happier setting by doing things you like.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
22 Mar 07
Thanks for your response! I agree with you, there are enough miseries without creating one for myself here. More than that, I'd be giving up something I really like (my current job). Now I just have to explain this to my husband in a way he'll understand.
@silverlou (372)
•
22 Mar 07
The question is what do you want to do? If you wish to move up the career ladder within your works, then you need to strategically position yourself where you will be seen and noticed, regardless of the final outcome. However if you are satisfied with your current position then let somebody else go for the job.
1 person likes this
@PurpleTeddyBear (6685)
• Canada
22 Mar 07
Honestly I wouldn't do especially if their is a chance that you could get it and you have said that it is not a good schedule for your family life. Your family should awlays come first and if it's not going to work then don't even think about it!
1 person likes this
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
25 Mar 07
I tend to agree with your husband and think you should apply for it. He does make a valid point in that it will let your surperiors know that you indeed do want to climb the ladder eventually. But what happens if you get the job? Turning it down wouldn't be a good thing to do but there are things you can do to assure that they don't give it to you without looking bad. During the interview you can talk about your wonderful hours and how hard you've worked to get them and that you wouldn't be willing to change them. Also talk about how much you love your job and how productive you are. In most interviews, they are trying to eliminate people as choices for the job, not to find reasons actually hire them. Does my logic make any sense at all?
1 person likes this
@ARIANNELEXI (798)
• Philippines
22 Mar 07
Dont forced yourself, if you dont want to do it then don't do it. It is hard to have a job that is killing you everyday. It is good to have a job that you love and you are satisfied. But it better also that you will improve and enhance your well being in a new set of work, but always remember before you decide put in mind that you must choose the job that can make you happy.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
Is that supposed to be some strategy? What if you really get the job?
My first thought was go for it if you need/want the money/fringe benefits, otherwise no. But if this is some strategy, then you have to weigh the pros and cons afresh.
If you are very sure you won't get it but feel that it can achieve the effect that you are ambitious and wants up, then go for it I guess..
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
22 Mar 07
Thanks for the response!
That's the problem, while my husband says he's very sure I won't get it, I'm not as sure. I know the other people who applied have been working there longer and such, but the particular skills needed are the ones I'm always being complimented on in reviews. So it scares me that I might get it.
And I most certainly don't want it. While it might be more money, the schedule would be horrible for my family life.
