Should I Apply To That Really, Really Old Job Posting?

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When candidates search for jobs, they become familiar with the job postings as if they were their own neighborhood. Like the house on the block with the "For Sale" sign in the yard for what seems an eternity, you may notice job postings that have been up forever too. You may ask, "They haven't filled that yet?" or "Why is that still up?" or "Should I apply?" but the more you see the same thing, the more likely you will skip over it.

There are many reasons a job post may appear "old" to the job seeker, but the reality is more nuanced. Below are just a few scenarios that more than explain why a job listing is "old."

Scenario #1 – The post is for an "evergreen" job. There are many postings online for "evergreen" jobs, positions for which companies recruit twenty-four-seven, 365 days a year. A typical recruiting set-up encourages a steady stream of applications monitored and managed by a dedicated recruiter or Human Resources professional. These exist across fields and pay scales and may have more of a rolling hiring process than other jobs – all advantages to the job seeker. Some examples of high demand jobs for which employers may continuously post:

• Accountants/Auditors – An accounting firm (e.g., PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young) always needs accountants and auditors.

• Retail – Large retail operations (e.g., Nordstrom, Macy’s) recruit sales associates year-round and ramp up hiring during the holidays.

• Delivery Drivers – the Gig Economy employs lots of drivers with different employment arrangements. Whether independent contractors or employees, gig economy workers are always in demand.

• Nurses – Nurses are the most extreme example, but this category could include other healthcare roles. In fields where there are shortages of qualified people, the jobs become evergreen by default.

Scenario #2 – The position is still open. Recruiting employees is expensive. To run a job ad on multiple digital and traditional platforms costs money every day. Job ads are not on auto-pilot. The moment job ads are no longer needed, they are pulled. Life is unpredictable, so many reasons may exist for why a position is open for a long time, and the job seeker can't know any of them. Here are just a few examples:

• The hiring manager may be searching for a unique candidate profile and is willing to wait until he/she meets the perfect individual.

• A candidate accepted a job offer and then backed out at the last moment.

• Salary negotiations fell apart.

• Background check/drug test fails.

• The last candidate’s references came back "Buyer beware!" and they decided to keep looking.

• Family matters made the candidate turn down an offer.

As you can see, the multitude of potential reasons a job listing may be old is reasonable and neither indicate a dark cloud over the position, company, or recruiting process nor preclude consideration by people searching for employment.

Scenario #3: Some jobs are more difficult to fill than others. Step over to the other side and consider the two most probable environments in which recruiters operate. Environment #1: cities. Advantage: lots of jobs and lots of candidates. Disadvantage: lots of jobs and lots of candidates. It's very competitive. Environment #2: small labor markets. Advantage: Less competition. Disadvantage: Fewer jobs and recruitment challenges. Each environment contributes to employment that may go unfilled for longer than anyone wants.

• In big cities, companies may have the luxury to take their time because the pool of candidates is so large. There may be many qualified candidates, so the recruitment, interview, and hiring process expand in scope and timeframe. The longer the hiring process, the more likely you will lose potential candidates to other jobs.

• In smaller labor markets, jobs may go unfilled because deeper pools of qualified professionals more likely live and work in larger cities such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Miami. Recruiters in remote or smaller markets may face more issues in needing to identify and relocate potential employees, which costs time and money.  

The final takeaway is this: stop skipping over old job listings and consider applying for roles for which you are qualified. Forget about the age of the job listing. Lightning can strike anywhere, anytime. If you don't apply, you definitely won't get the job.

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Philip Roufail contributed to this article.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

Holiday Job Hunting Blues? 5 Fantastic Reasons To Apply For Positions In December

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Looking for a job in December, and not getting much traction?

It's true, hiring activity does slow down late in the year as hiring managers and recruiters take their Christmas vacation, and corporate Finance teams clamp down on spending to goose the end-of-the-year numbers.

But don't lose hope. The end of the year can still be a great time to look for jobs. Here's why:

1. There are fewer applicants during the holidays. Job hunters are often just as distracted as potential employers, pulled into holiday shopping, vacation, and office parties – which means less competition and a better chance of having your resume reviewed.
    
2. Some positions really do need to be filled, regardless of the season. Urgently. While some hiring managers are off skiing in the Poconos or at home making holiday fruit cakes, some recruiters are still clocking in. And they're actively working on filling jobs for managers who are also in the office, screaming loudly about their need to fill the position. You won't know which posted positions are critical – so act as if they all are, and apply away. Be the gift that mysteriously appears under the hiring manager's tree (metaphorically speaking, of course).
    
3. The office environment is more relaxed during the holidays. Unless you work in retail, the pace of activity slows substantially during December. People are in a good mood. Let this work in your favor – should you be called for an interview, you may find yourself ina  more pleasant, in-depth meeting with the hiring manager than during crunch time. It's a great opportunity to build a bond when you're not rushed and don't find yourself competing for attention with your interviewer's email and a buzzing phone.
    
4. Your current employer will be less suspicious of time taken off for interviews. Between school Christmas pageants, holiday parties, and picking up visiting relatives at the airport, employers anticipate a lot of PTO will be used in December. You won't be missed.
    
5. Hiring picks up again in January. Big time. Be ready. Everyone's back in the office, and working at full speed. Managers will buzz the recruiter, demanding resumes for their open positions. If you applied in December, you're ready to be found. If you wait until January 2, it may be too late.

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Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

Job Hunting Zen Thought of the Week - October 16, 2015

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Here is your Job Hunting Zen Thought of the Week!

You go to an interview fully prepared.

Your résumé is immaculate.

You dress perfectly.

You answer the interviewer's questions to perfection.

You ask all the right questions.

And you don't get the job.

Sometimes companies simply miss the mark when it comes to hiring.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. He is a Human Resources professional and staffing expert with almost two decades of in-house corporate HR and staffing firm experience, and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).

Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.