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Original poster

Applying for a job advertised 4 times

23 replies

Hellsinky · 11/02/2022 10:22

I saw a job advertised in September last year, but only saw it the day it closed. It was a sideways step, and not sure if it was something I actually wanted anyway. Possibly could have got an application in last minute, but decided not too.

I saw it re-advertised this morning. Upon searching, I've discovered the job has been advertised with 4 closing dates over the last 6 months.

I don't have about a third of the essential skills, but I have very good experience for the other two thirds as well as those listed as desirable.

But why has it been advertised 4 times? Surely they can't have offered it 3 times and then the successful applicant has turned it down? My friend suggested they're holding out for the ideal candidate with lots of experience. And this makes me think I don't really stand much of a chance.

Can anyone else shed any light on why a job might have been advertised multiple times?

OP posts:
heelforheelandtoefortoe · 11/02/2022 11:05

Your friend is probably right so go ahead and apply. What's the worse that can happen?

GeneLovesJezebel · 11/02/2022 11:06

You’d be surprised at how many people turn down a job they go for.
You should apply.

Feelingoktoday · 11/02/2022 11:13

I work for a council. Currently we are having to advertise many times for the same job. People don’t turn up for the interview, turn it down, pay isn’t enough, get offered other jobs. Go for it. Good luck,

museumum · 11/02/2022 11:15

I went for one of these. I didn’t get it. Nobody did. They were holding out for the ideal candidate who didn’t exist 🤷🏼‍♀️

AtLeastPretendToCare · 11/02/2022 11:17

Is there only going to be one job with this role or is this a role a group of people all hold? If the latter may just be usual attrition.

CharacterForming · 11/02/2022 11:17

An obvious reason, depending on the nature of the job, would be that they have several people in identically named and spec'd jobs and they've had to replace a few of them separately over the period.

Starlightstarbright1 · 11/02/2022 11:19

I have applied for 3 jobs recently due to current contract on job ending.

I accepted the first job
Didnt get the second job
Third job I got so accepted and have since had to turn down job one. I can only assume job one will now have to be readvertised

Ormally · 11/02/2022 11:19

@museumum

I went for one of these. I didn’t get it. Nobody did. They were holding out for the ideal candidate who didn’t exist 🤷🏼‍♀️
Yes, this can happen. Feedback 'They are looking for a particular skill set' (that doesn't appear to be overt in the job description). Possibly, reading between the lines for mine, Board level or director experience.
Original poster
Hellsinky · 11/02/2022 14:44

There's definitely only one job, as it's a manager of a department role. I realized they had advertised it multiple times by looking at their Facebook page, and they kept posting "we're still on the look out for..."

Basically I have experience of managing people but not in that particular area, so I'm (hopefully) able to put strong management examples, I'm not able to have a huge amount of knowledge of the actual role those I'd be (potentially!) managing, but then again they might have staff applying for it as a promotion with no experience of managing.

I'm going to go for it and see! As @GeneLovesJezebel says, what's the worst that could happen!

I'm hoping if they were on the lookout for the first ideal candidate, they may now have realized they don't exist! Or if they have offered it to people who have turned it down, they may be desperate and I might stand more of a chance despite not being completely perfect!

OP posts:
AtillatheHun · 11/02/2022 15:07

In the case of a particular PA role to a “name”, it’s because people get hired and refuse to stay more than a few weeks ;)

Original poster
Hellsinky · 11/02/2022 21:31

@AtillatheHun

In the case of a particular PA role to a “name”, it’s because people get hired and refuse to stay more than a few weeks ;)
This is also one of my worries too!

Well... Application is in. Fingers crossed, I think! Closes on Sunday at midnight. We shall see

OP posts:
FennecShandDoesEverything · 11/02/2022 21:35

It could be they have multiple of that role, it could be they have high turnover in it, it could be they're just really struggling to find the skills they want for the money. It's a seller's market for skilled workers right now in many sectors.

PangoPurrl · 11/02/2022 21:59

Yes, my first thought was that you should proceed with caution in case they've filled the role each time- but the previous 3 successful applicants all ran away screaming!

Original poster
Hellsinky · 12/02/2022 07:49

I've tried searching on LinkedIn to see if I can find anyone who has that role listed to see how long they were there, but I cannot. It's not a huge company but I've found a few employees who have been there several years. The company has a Facebook page and they share job openings - this one has been posted with 4 closing dates about 6 weeks apart since September but never before then after going back several years!

OP posts:
BorderCollieMum · 12/02/2022 14:45

In my line of work it happens frequently, and it's because they can't get a (half decent, or sometimes any) candidate to fill the role. So I'd be thinking the opposite - that they may be ready to broaden their views and consider candidates who don't meet a narrow spec, and are willing to be more flexible. Go for it.

MulticatHouse · 12/02/2022 15:06

There is a company near me that advertises the same job over and over and has been doing this since around Oct 2019 when the last job holder retired after many years.

They take someone on, they don't get on with the owner and they either leave or get the sack in their probation period.

I interviewed there last year, I was successful but declined in favour of a better role. Subsequently a friend of mine got the job. She lasted a month and now they are advertising again.

Ormally · 12/02/2022 18:23

What will you say when they ask 'Do you have any questions for us?'

Userxxxxx · 13/02/2022 12:35

The Employer has been 'fishing' each time, where they advertise, interview even but with no intention to take on.

I interviewed one time for a unique PA type role in a bailiff's office where it to had many past advertisements, but I got the impression they couldn't make up their mind as to whether they wanted someone self-employed or employed. As it was I lasted half a day when I realised I was going to struggle doing what they needed and could I work for such a strong character if that makes sense.

Starlightstarbright1 · 13/02/2022 15:03

One of the jobs i applied for recently , had a closing date. I went to the company site pre interview the same job was advertised with a later closing date. I asked at interview if there was more than one job and there wasn't.

Babyroobs · 13/02/2022 23:55

Maybe they just have rolling recruitment?

Original poster
Hellsinky · 16/02/2022 13:09

Got an interview next week 😃

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 16/02/2022 13:11

Good luck OP!

Starlightstarbright1 · 16/02/2022 16:40

@Hellsinky

Got an interview next week 😃
Oooh exciting... good luck
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