Stale Ads

As a job hunter there has probably been a time when you’ve come across an ad for a job that seems perfect for you only to realize that the ad was posted a week or two weeks ago. Normally, most of us conclude that it’s a stale ad and we should move on and keep looking. We rationalize, surely the job has been filled by now. After all a week or two is a long-time when it comes to an open position.

However did you know that many employers state that the majority of resumes that they receive do not match the job description and that many applicants turn out to be unqualified for the positions that they are applying for. Even in these days of high unemployment often times a company has to run an ad a couple of times before they find the “right” person.

Even if a company does identify a few canidates that have the qualifications and the required skills there may be some personal characteristics that the employer is seeking that the canidates do not possess. For example, the employer may be seeking a person who seems thick-skinned because they know that the new employee will be working with a very critical and intense manager. They may be looking for someone who can do the job and also has a real good sense of humor because the light heartiness can help to lift morale around the office. They may be looking for someone who seems like they would not feel put upon if they are asked to run personal errands. There can also be times when the most promising canidate finds a job before they hear back from the company and as a result they turn down the offer. In short, the field may still be wide open. And the "right" person could very well be you.

Therefore, before you jump to the conclusion that the job has been filled or that the company has already narrowed down their choices, ask yourself why not and consider submitting your resume anyway. You don’t have anything to lose and who knows you may end-up being the one.