We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.
Withdrew application but regret decision - second chance?

dundermifflin
Posts: 29 Forumite
(Apologies for the lengthy post....)
I'm inbetween jobs having just moved to a new area. It's semi-rural and job opportunities are limited when it comes to anything that matches my background (mainly admin, human resources and legal sector work).
I applied for a job that I didn't quite meet the specification for - I met probably 50% of the "minimum" requirements but was lacking experience in certain other areas. It was the most similar job to what I was doing before, but again, this job had extra responsbilities that I had no experience whatsoever for. The job is an auditing role with an international distribution company.
I wasn't expecting to get any interest or a phone call and forgot about it. A few weeks later, I received a phone call inviting me to interview for the role. I spoke with the person on the phone (who I later discovered would be by direct line manager) and in a breif 5 minute conversation about the role we got on very well, she laughed at all of my attempts at humour etc. Anyway, she invited me to interview the following week and sounded very keen to get me in for the interview - she liked my CV and previous experience etc.
Then I did something silly. I got cold feet. I became anxious, moreso than in preparation for any interview I've ever had before, and I never get anxious. Deep down I just thought I was punching above my weight for this job and that I'd be found out in the interview when asked questions. I replied to the same person who had sent me my email confirmation for the interview and withdrew my application, stating I had accepted a position elsewhere. The same person replied wishing me luck for the future.
That was a month ago. I'm still unemployed (money isn't an issue at the moment), but deeply regret not going for interview. Today I discovered that the same company is advertising once again for the same role - clearly they haven't filled the position or are seeking further employees.
It was a huge mistake, and having thought about it, in hindsight I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Should I re-apply? I imagine even if they did decide to invite me to interview again they would want to ask about my "other" role I had accepted (which didn't exist at all) and why that didn't work out etc.
Advice?
I'm inbetween jobs having just moved to a new area. It's semi-rural and job opportunities are limited when it comes to anything that matches my background (mainly admin, human resources and legal sector work).
I applied for a job that I didn't quite meet the specification for - I met probably 50% of the "minimum" requirements but was lacking experience in certain other areas. It was the most similar job to what I was doing before, but again, this job had extra responsbilities that I had no experience whatsoever for. The job is an auditing role with an international distribution company.
I wasn't expecting to get any interest or a phone call and forgot about it. A few weeks later, I received a phone call inviting me to interview for the role. I spoke with the person on the phone (who I later discovered would be by direct line manager) and in a breif 5 minute conversation about the role we got on very well, she laughed at all of my attempts at humour etc. Anyway, she invited me to interview the following week and sounded very keen to get me in for the interview - she liked my CV and previous experience etc.
Then I did something silly. I got cold feet. I became anxious, moreso than in preparation for any interview I've ever had before, and I never get anxious. Deep down I just thought I was punching above my weight for this job and that I'd be found out in the interview when asked questions. I replied to the same person who had sent me my email confirmation for the interview and withdrew my application, stating I had accepted a position elsewhere. The same person replied wishing me luck for the future.
That was a month ago. I'm still unemployed (money isn't an issue at the moment), but deeply regret not going for interview. Today I discovered that the same company is advertising once again for the same role - clearly they haven't filled the position or are seeking further employees.
It was a huge mistake, and having thought about it, in hindsight I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Should I re-apply? I imagine even if they did decide to invite me to interview again they would want to ask about my "other" role I had accepted (which didn't exist at all) and why that didn't work out etc.
Advice?
0
Comments
-
Apply, tell them half the truth (say the other business changed their mind). Hopefully if they are really interested in your application they will take it further. What have you got to lose?Find out who you are and do that on purpose (thanks to Owain Wyn Jones quoting Dolly Parton)0
-
I kind of agree, but I'm wracking my brain for a better excuse! In the employers shoes I'd be wondering why the other job withdrew the offer, so that might not be the best approach.
To be honest, I'm wondering if the whole truth might not be better! It happens. People do suddenly get scared to death of an interview, and I can't think of any employer who doesn't recognise that. Would it be possible to speak to the person you dealt with before, and put your cards on the table and ask? From your point of view, making stuff up now to compound making stuff up before just complicates matters, throws up more questions than answers, and risks you tripping yourself up. And from an employers point of view, I think what you did and why is understandable. Put the right way it is even a point to laugh over, you being such "wally" and all! They might appreciate the truth more than an excuse, and at least they will know that you aren't likely to up sticks and walk away from their job for some reason - which telling a lie will give the impression you might.0 -
Just say that the other company pulled the funding for the position. It happens all the time.0
-
It can also be shorthand for something else that they aren't admitting to as well. Easier to say than, "your reference was rubbish", " we found out about your criminal record" or "we know about your sickness record/ won't make reasonable adjustments" or whatever.0
-
Just tell them the truth because I bet if you got it and you talk about it later they may wonder why your story is different.
Tell them you were nervous for interview. They probably understand your positionMortgage free wannabe
Actual mortgage stating amount £75,150
Overpayment paused to pay off cc
Starting balance £66,565.45
Current balance £58,108
Cc around 8k.0 -
dundermifflin wrote: »
Today I discovered that the same company is advertising once again for the same role - clearly they haven't filled the position or are seeking further employees.
Advice?
I agree contact them but keep an open mind it could be they have a bad reputation for staff handling (as you say you've not long been in the area), the person offered declined, they didn't find anyone suitable to make an offer to, to depending where you have seen the advert posted, a mistake in readvertising.
I cancelled a job interview last Thursday, as it was offered quite short notice and with my pet hate of printing out the lovely application form to complete and take to interview (grrrr) at a gutting less then 2 days notice, when one applied with CV 8 days before, I also had to point out their error in the confirmation email so only to see it re-advertised on Monday!!! Baffled I have steered clear of wanting to re-apply as I'd said I wish they could give more notice of interviews so you can't be as bad as me!But anyway I did also have to wonder if any of the above also applied. :cool: I have my most nerve racking ever interview tomorrow (nothing could put me off) tho the job is still being advertised! So afraid be careful with the whole readvertising thing.
0 -
You don't have to tell even a whisker of a lie! Just contact them, say your circumstances have changed, and you are very interested after all. You can speak about your nerves at interview (if you decide to tell them) if they ask you further about this.Ex board guide. Signature now changed (if you know, you know).0
-
Readvertising a position is also nothing at all to be concerned about. It in no way indicates that the company is bad - it may be quite the opposite, or they may be expanding, or they may not appoint if they don't get the right person.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.5K Spending & Discounts
- 241K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.7K Life & Family
- 254.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards