Job advice post interview

seville_2003

Hello,

i was looking for some advice. I interviewed for a job yesterday and I think it went very well. It’s within the civil service and I would be moving up a pay grade, so I’m really hopeful I get it.

The problem is they are recruiting throughout the country and asked candidates to put 3 locations in order of preference on their application, which I did.

It says each location will be divided in order of merit and if successful you will be given a location at the offer stage.

the problem is the place I put as my first choice I can no longer move there due to personal circumstances. The other two places are fine.

how would you approach this? There is a direct recruitment email. Would you email now or wait?

Maybe I’m worrying about nothing. I just don’t want it to seem that firstly I’m over confident that I’m going to be successful and jinx it and secondly I’m not very organised/a pain.

thank you

Sandtree

Whats happened between yesterday and today to make your first choice place now untenable? 

It would seem sensible to let them know that your circumstances have changed over night, probably worth suggesting a 4th choice as well, as it means if you are considered a high merit candidate that you arent excluded from 2nd and 3rd choice because you're going to be offered in your 1st choice.  Whilst technically what has happened is probably none of their business you may want to consider an explanation if the reason isnt going to raise more alarm bells.

seville_2003

Thank you for your reply.

My partners work situation has changed meaning My first choice would mean more travelling and extra cost.

I will get in touch like you said. I’m sure they’ll understand. They are still interviewing until 18th June so hopefully my changing preferences won’t make much difference at this point

Emmia

I'd wait until they offer the role to you, and then raise the location issue. If you don't get it, then there is nothing to tell them.

Edit: Contacting them beforehand looks a bit presumptuous that you'll be offered the post.

TELLIT01

Inform them immediately.  Nothing would look worse than being given your first choice and then telling them you can't take it.

General_Grant

Emmia said:

I'd wait until they offer the role to you, and then raise the location issue. If you don't get it, then there is nothing to tell them.

Edit: Contacting them beforehand looks a bit presumptuous that you'll be offered the post.

Contacting them beforehand looks confident - that you are a good candidate.

Emmia

General_Grant said:

Emmia said:

I'd wait until they offer the role to you, and then raise the location issue. If you don't get it, then there is nothing to tell them.

Edit: Contacting them beforehand looks a bit presumptuous that you'll be offered the post.

Contacting them beforehand looks confident - that you are a good candidate.

As a civil servant who interviews a fair bit I'd see it as arrogant or cocky

Tbh jobs in the CS where I thought I'd got at interview, are jobs which I haven't got... the jobs I get are the ones where I leave feeling a bit meh about my performance.

Sandtree

Emmia said:

I'd wait until they offer the role to you, and then raise the location issue. If you don't get it, then there is nothing to tell them.

Edit: Contacting them beforehand looks a bit presumptuous that you'll be offered the post.

The problem is if they are offered in Location 1 then Locations 2-4 are offered to other people. OP says they cannot do Location 1 any more and so the only way they get to retain the offer is either by accepting location 1 or hoping someone else declines an offer to create a gap they can take.

Contacting them beforehand looks neither presumptuous or confident... it looks matter of fact.