Ask Minto
I keep seeing the same jobs posted on three or four different websites, month after month. I’ve even applied for a couple of them but never gotten a call. A friend told me some companies keep postings up all the time but they are not really hiring. I’m just as concerned that maybe it is an indicator that the company is not the kind of employer I would want if they have a lot of turnover. How can I tell?
Kelly
Dear Kelly:
That’s a very common question and the short answer is that you probably can’t tell for certain – at least not as an outsider. But there are ways to learn what you can. First I want to say that you and your friend should not assume that a company is not really hiring or has problems with retention because of continuous postings. Many companies are growing so fast and/or so consistently that they are always actively recruiting, and top managers in stable companies would rarely refuse to meet a very suitable candidate even if they do not have a pre-existing opening. Some companies do have trouble hanging on to good people but regular job postings are not necessarily an indicator of that.
Your best source of information on a company is someone who works there and is in a position to know whether or not the company is growing and seeking talent expansion. Use your networks or research business news on the company to find someone on the inside and ask for a few minutes of their time to ask them a few questions about their work. Look up the company in the “Top Employers” and “Best Companies” guides and see if they made the cut. If they do not appear, read what is said about related or competitor companies to get a better idea of the evaluative criteria used to decide who is a good employer in that field. Send your resume to a few recruiters, ask for a meeting with them, and while you are there pitching yourself, ask if they know anyone who has worked for that company. One way or another, you can probably improve your knowledge before applying in most cases.
When you either can’t find the information you seek or don’t have time for the search, my call would be to apply, say yes to an interview if you get one, meet them and judge for yourself. If you are interested enough in the position to be wondering what they are like to work for, it is probably worth your time and effort to pursue the opportunity. And if you are just idly curious but not strongly drawn to the job or you have a nagging feeling that something is not right for you – before or after an interview or offer – trust your gut.
Minto Roy
President
CareersToday Canada
www.careerstodaycanada.com
www.mintoroy.net