Have you applied for a job with no hope?

19 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 7,2025 at 9:08PM UTC

   How do you know there's no chance? Before you even applied for the role, did they know you had an interest? Honestly, you need to change your mindset and start thinking positively rather than taking yourself out of the game before it's even played.

2. AnonymousMay 7,2025 at 10:21PM UTC

   If you don't apply, the answer is automatically "no." When someone leaves, the best way to be considered for promotions is to ensure that your superiors know and understand your career aspirations.

3. AnonymousMay 7,2025 at 10:57PM UTC

   You find things to love about the job and people to connect with. Growth is good but peace and hard are worth just a much in my book.

4. AnonymousMay 7,2025 at 11:31PM UTC

   This post was hard for me to read! I am sorry you are feeling this way.

   I hope you're okay! I hope you're making time to for yourself before you apply. I hope you take a step back and consider if this is something you really want to do. anymore.

   It sounds like you might be at a bit of cross-roads and that's okay. This could be a good reflective period for you to ask yourself what would bring you joy in your next role? What do you really want to do next with your career?

   The beauty about growth is, we can look at it from different altitudes. This might feel like a growing pain right now but it won't last forever. Perhaps what you're experiencing is an outgrowth period. Perhaps you're more ready than you realize to take on something new, exciting and more challenging.

   Don't count yourself out until the final answer is "no" and even if it a "no" --- it could be a "not now" or perhaps it is redirecting you (for your protection) to something greater!

   Be encouraged. You so got this! Good luck to you.

5. AnonymousMay 8,2025 at 3:47AM UTC

   Well heck you won’t know unless you try. But your attitude is not a winning one! Stand up straight, put your shoulders back and cheerfully request a chance. If they say that they need different skills etc

   fine this is info you didn’t have before. Plus they know

   you are dedicated and want to

   stay with the company and

   they have a chance to get to know you. This is the time for being good to yourself and go for it!

6. AnonymousMay 8,2025 at 4:09PM UTC

   You miss 100% of the shots you do not take. If you want to change, be the change. Show the higher ups/decision makers why you're a good fit. You can only achieve if you believe. So put yourself out there if you REALLY want the job or at least a chance to considered. The poor me, woe is me, will not get you ahead, but the what the heck I'm going to try and show them I'm a good fit puts your mindset in a positive light.

7. AnonymousMay 9,2025 at 12:42PM UTC

   Your opening sentence would be a perfect answer for the poster to use as an answer to the “why did you apply for the position” question, and then lay out their case.

8. AnonymousMay 9,2025 at 12:05PM UTC

   You simply wouldn't apply without some hope. It's against human nature.

9. GirlBossanova934974May 9,2025 at 1:50PM UTC

   First off, you should probably stop usinig the word, "leaders" when it comes to addressing your current management. Managers they probably are. Leaders, they are NOT! These managers are probably pointing fingers at each other, tryiing to assign blame for your director leaving. I would apply for the job ASAP! The easier you make it for these managers, the better off your chances of getting the job.

10. AnonymousMay 10,2025 at 12:38PM UTC

    Apply. Think about why you would be good for this role and have conviction in that. If you don't get it and sincerely want it, ask where you need to grow and work on those things. Then you'll be ready for this role -- at your current company or elsewhere.

    Use this not just as a shot at this particular job but as aprofessional development opportunity.

11. Erica NicholasMay 10,2025 at 2:12PM UTC

    Maybe they didn't think you'd be interested. Always apply! If you don't get it this time, they'll be keeping a closer eye on you for other opportunities.

12. AnonymousMay 10,2025 at 5:59PM UTC

    Definitely apply! I agree with the person who said they may not have thought you would be interested. You may not have all the skills and they may decide not to pay for the person who does and you may be groomed while in the role. Always stay positive!

13. Jessica FerlandMay 11,2025 at 12:53PM UTC

    Is it your company's culture that the Directors would come to you? I would never expect that as a general rule. So absolutely go for it.

    That said, is the job something you want to do? Simply cautioning not to take the job just because it's available.

14. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 12:33PM UTC

    It's not on management to advance Your career, it's on you.

15. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 1:33PM UTC

    Feeling this rn. Applied for three leadership positions in my agency in the last 9 months. Not hired. It's hard to stay motivated for sure - but at my age, I may be stuck.

16. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 2:53PM UTC

    I'm feeling the same. I got laid off, and there have been more misses than hits. I'm applying with the hope that someone at least looks at my application, but my hope is dwindling.

17. AnonymousMay 12,2025 at 4:15PM UTC

    Whoa, why be a victim..definitely apply show interest and if and or when they reject you be gracious and show why you as an internal candidate need to be nurtured for future growth. Don't wait to be asked instead reach for what you want and need and ask for feedback on how to get there if you get turned down. That is how you grow your own career.

18. Lisa WilsonMay 12,2025 at 9:25PM UTC

    apply! you just have to keep applying to things and then they will know you are interested in growth. There are other ways to show you are interested in growth opportunities as well. Stretch assignments,

19. AnonymousMay 13,2025 at 1:19PM UTC

    Do NOT under any circumstances. Your thoughts determine your actions. If you are interviewed with the thoughts that there is no hope, that is the aura you will give to those interviewing.

    My position required a 4 year degree. I have zero degree. However I knew that I was doing my job and my supervisor's job at the time so I applied. I didn't get it the first time only because my personal life was in an uproar and i only asked them to interview me for the experience.

    The second time when the supervisor that had been there less than a year (i was doing her work as well because she didn't have a clue) left, there was not even an interview. My manager called me to her office and said if I wanted the job it was mine. They had to post it for legal issues but I was the only one in consideration.

    Had I gone in with that mindset that I had no hope, there is no way I would have made it. When the supervisor took over after my first left (the one I only interviewed for), we had several findings on our ISO audit (not good at all). She left and we corrected those. The next year (three years ago), I was the supervisor and we aced it. The auditor asked why I had been overlooked as supervisor before. I told him not to blame them because I turned it down. He said this was where I needed to stay.

    Go into the interview thinking that the job is yours. Yes, it will be disappointing if you don't get it but the experience of interviewing in a higher position is a valuable experience that will only help you in the future. Learn everything you can and DO NOT be afraid to toot your own horn!

    Good luck!