Q. I have a pretty basic question for you. When is it too late to apply for a position?
With all these job search sites that compile postings from other sites, like
indeed.com, it seems like jobs that may be "outdated" are still listed as viable options. I find myself in a
predicament. I'll come up with what appears to be an appealing job only to see that it was posted 20 days ago. Generally, if anything is older than two to three weeks, I'll disqualify it, but I'm wondering if this is a mistake.
When is a good time to cut off applying -- if ever? How long does a recruiter/editor keep open for applications? (I know this varies, but a ballpark idea would be helpful.) Is it a horrible thing to contact the company or person listed to inquire about it even when the ad says "no phone calls or e-mails please"?
StephanieA. Don't worry too much about applying too late. You have little to lose. Get busy figuring out how to apply earlier.
What you're experiencing are Web sites that
scrape other sites to get content for their own and to try to become a one-stop shop. Of course, as they are not the sites where the ads were placed, no one will tell them when the jobs are filled or the ads expire. The problem, though, is you are finding out about job openings after other people do. As you find ads that have been scraped, use a search engine to find out where they originated and watch those sites.
Poynter Online's Career Center features job postings placed directly by employers and uses indeed.com to increase its offerings. Colleen Eddy, director of the Poynter Career Center,
explains why here.
In response to your question, she advises: "I would use each posting as an invitation to network. If the job is connected with an organization and if your resume and cover letter clearly show your value, they may call anyway. The idea is to stand above the crowd in your paperwork.
Persevere. Don't let this discourage you. Instead use all job postings you are interested in as an invitation to contact the company."
Jobs can stay open for a very long time, given the hiring freezes that roll in and out pretty quickly. So, a job may be technically open, even though there is no movement to fill it.
As for ads that tell you not to call or e-mail, I would tend to call anyway if it were for a job I really wanted and especially if I already had a relationship with someone in a supervisory position at that company.
Asking my colleagues: What do some of you think about people who call when the ad says not to?
Click here to give us your take.
Coming Thursday: She wants to update her "horror show" of a Web site and asks how close she has to come to showing her original clips.
I always appreciated calls if they: Asked if it was...
