Can they say this?

i_like_shoes

I'm applying for a job at work, but on the job vacancy they have stated

"There is a preferred candidate for this role"

Can they put this actually on a vacancy ? It seems a bit 1 sided to me... is there any point in applying for it when they state this ?

dseventy

Yes they can put that.

They don't even have to advertise the vacancy.

D70

ohreally

i_like_shoes wrote: »

"There is a preferred candidate for this role"

What do you perceive this to mean?

KiKi

Bit stupid of them to do that, but they can do it. I suppose they'd rather be upfront - otherwise if you apply, and then the person that everyone knew was going to get the job anyway got it, everyone would complain that they wish they hadn't advertised the job in the first place if they had a preferred candidate, as they wouldn't have wasted their time applying.

What I'd take from it is: we're open to candidates applying, but you're going to have to be damned good to beat the person we have in mind.

KiKi

custardy

dothey not mean they have a preferred candidate
as in they are looking for someone who ticks X boxes for skills/experience?

ohreally

I believe they mean their preferred candidate meets the desired criteria from the person spec rather than simply meet the essentials - not a specific person they have in mind for the post.

LadyMissA

i_like_shoes wrote: »

I'm applying for a job at work, but on the job vacancy they have stated

"There is a preferred candidate for this role"

Can they put this actually on a vacancy ? It seems a bit 1 sided to me... is there any point in applying for it when they state this ?

It may be the polite way of saying 'listen if so and so wants the job, apply as we want you to', but as said here they do not even have to advertise it and could just give it to the person they want to.

killerpeaty

Personally, if this was a job or a company I really wanted to do/work for, then I would apply regardless of whether they said they already had the right guy for the job. Primarily because I would hope that I would impress them enough for them to keep me in mind for next time. Unlikely I know. Secondary as practice, I would hope with each new CV and cover letter I am getting closer to getting good enough to get the actual job.

Good luck!

TeaCake

I would read that as theres an internal candidate already lined up but they have to advertise the vacancy so unless someone really spectacular came along dont build your hopes up.

KiKi

'We have a preferred candidate' means 'we have someone already lined up for the role'. Not 'we have this sort of person in mind'.

ohreally

KiKi wrote: »

'We have a preferred candidate' means 'we have someone already lined up for the role'. Not 'we have this sort of person in mind'.

Unless you are aware of this specific employers intentions, you can't possibly state this with certainty.