Struggling with this one

[frugalone]

As some of you know, I've got some ongoing employment issues.
I subscribe to a number of job boards, including one for higher education. This week, I got an email saying a competing university has a job opening. The position is exactly what I did at the college where I worked for 7 years. In fact, this particular position was open about 2 years ago. I applied and heard nothing.
That may sound a bit odd, considering that I had done the same durned job for 7 years. However, my former boss just happens to be friends with the dept. head and I suspect some badmouthing went on.

Anyway...the job has opened up again. I'm not sure whether or not I should apply. For one thing, the commute is even further than the one I had for 7 years (which was a big factor in why I hated the job). And as some of you may recall, I wasn't crazy about the work.

That said, I'm in a dead-end job and I need more money. And the longer I stay out of my former field (even if it's not what I want to do when I <ahem> grow up, the further behind I get.

What do you think? It's hard to decide when I see those two negative factors staring me in the face. On the other hand...things at the library are just not improving or changing. Believe me, if a job opened up at a closer college that was an equivalent, I'd apply for it. But I"ve been looking for literally years now, and it has not happened.

I feel quite sad.

What do you think?

[Simplemind]

Apply. You don't know for certain why they made the decision they did in the past. It wasn't a negative about you it was a positive about somebody else. Give it a second chance. It is always easier to find a job when you have a job so if you do get it this time around and you don't like the drive etc., look at it as temporary as you continue to look for a better fit.

[lhamo]

Apply. You don't know for certain why they made the decision they did in the past. It wasn't a negative about you it was a positive about somebody else. Give it a second chance. It is always easier to find a job when you have a job so if you do get it this time around and you don't like the drive etc., look at it as temporary as you continue to look for a better fit.

+1

[SteveinMN]

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take." -- hockey great Wayne Gretzky

If you don't apply, you have absolutely no chance of deciding if you want the job. it will never be offered. Apply. You can always say 'no' once you know the facts.

[Tradd]

Apply.

[redfox]

Applying for a job says you want to have a conversation about it. That's all. Worry about the particulars when you've been through the process & have an offer on the table.