Although April Fools’ Day is over, this is no joke: We now have to wade through fake job postings. An increasing number of job seekers are noticing this trend that, unfortunately, has been around for quite some time.
A survey of more than 1,000 hiring managers conducted by Clarify Capital found 27% said they had job postings up for more than four months, the Wall Street Journal reveals. Of those, almost half were left up to give the impression that the company was doing well.
Other employers left job postings up for different reasons, some to give the impression to overworked employees that help is on the way. Or, they might be hedging their bets that they will need employees in the future.
This is frustrating for job seekers. Job hunting is a grueling process that takes a considerable amount of time and energy. It requires job seekers to sneak out of work for a series of interviews. If they are caught, it could put their current job at risk.
Some companies will delay hiring as they search for the perfect candidate. After some time, they decide not to fill the role at all. Other companies delay hiring to save money. In some situations, the hiring process can take so long that the hiring manager might change, leaving the new hiring manager to reevaluate the post.
Companies often look at job candidates like a product. Imagine going shopping at a store like Target. You can look at every item and, in the end, no one will care if you don’t want to buy anything. This isn’t a fair experience for job seekers, who are people, not products. These decisions have a real impact on their lives.
I once interviewed for a role at a large financial services company. The company put me through roughly 12 rounds of interviews over a five-month period, including in person interviews in another state.
Near the end of the process, they assured me I would get an offer. I stopped looking for other jobs and started packing my things to move. The hiring manger called after a few weeks to tell me the role had been on hold since the beginning.
He continued to interview me in hopes that he would eventually gain approval. He did not.
If you’re a job seeker, remember your job search is a numbers game. If you aren’t hearing back from a company or if they’re going slowly, hedge your bets. Apply for more roles.
Keep things moving in order to find an employer who is truly hiring. Look for job postings that haven’t been up for months and that contain specific details about the role.
Eventually, you’ll find a real opportunity that’s a great fit.
Angela Copeland, a leadership and career expert, can be reached at www.angelacopeland.com.