Has this happened to you?

Anonymous

June 27,2023 at 6:41PM UTC

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Has this happened to you?

I’ve been applying to jobs for a while. Twice since January, I’ve made it to final round interviews with two separate companies only for the organization to repost the job (one time with a higher title, and higher pay than what I applied for) without changing the job description. One had even asked for references but didn’t contact anyone.

What is this about? Are there any questions I should be asking during the interview process to see if something like this might happen during the hiring process.

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AnonymousJune 27,2023 at 8:17PM UTC
It's not you. Companies are very skittish and don't feel the need to be decisive. They are just waffling because no one is sure about the economy or where they will be in 6 months. More CEOs are quitting than ever due to uncertainty and how to navigate the world right now.
AnonymousJune 27,2023 at 9:07PM UTC
Thank you kind stranger on the Internet. It is helpful to hear someone say that it’s not me. I realize that you don’t know the answer but does anyone ever really know where they’ll be in 6 months? I’ve always felt like anything could happen professionally or personally. I didn’t realize that was something new.
AnonymousJune 27,2023 at 11:16PM UTC
Personal references really don't happen in MOST positions, it's really employment verifications and that's just confirming dates worked. And that's even really just done at a certain level of positions, NOT across the board. You may not know if they verified your work, as it can be through a 3rd party who handles that. I'm going to say that they haven't met the caliber of candidate yet that they feel they need. I would move on. good luck.
AnonymousJune 27,2023 at 11:36PM UTC
If references don’t happen in most jobs, then why do so many jobs ask for them as part of the application process? They can verify employment with HR, which likely aren’t the same folks most people would be using a reference.
AnonymousJune 28,2023 at 11:11AM UTC
Maybe they do it only based on what they are learning from the candidate to see if there's any doubt of experience on one offs. There are plenty of people of paint their experience one way on their resume and then can't speak to what they have on there. It's not a hill to suffer on, for sure. Then if they speak to someone there's a bias, right there. I've not heard of any lower than C-suite and more executive positions really speaking with anyone, so that is rare, and IMO outdated for junior ranked positions, ie managers and under. If they're asking for personal references, (insert eye roll here) that's like 1980's and they're probably using DOS computer programs. (If you don't know what that is, it's like a flip phone equivalent)
Clydene HorriganJune 30,2023 at 9:29PM UTC
I have been contacted as a reference for positions in what you call junior this year.
AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 2:39PM UTC
Probably not a global company or a position that warrants it for sure. It’s a rarity and honestly not time well spent due to legalities.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 28,2023 at 3:31AM UTC
It's about them continuing the search until the hiring manager has found the candidate they feel is the best fit.
Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJune 28,2023 at 12:58PM UTC
As Joan noted, companies are likely reposting in hopes of pulling additional people for consideration. Don't count yourself out of the running, but it may be they have a particular skill set or prior experience they are hoping to find. It doesn't mean they don't find you not valuable - but they may be looking for something specific.
Julie EJune 29,2023 at 10:04PM UTC
I had that happen to me last year with an internal position. The company froze hiring and brought the position back in the form of two positions, one at a higher level which was two above mine and one a my level but at a lower pay grade. I tried for the higher one and didn’t even get an interview, which was frustrating because I was a final candidate for the original posting. I didn’t think I’d get enough of a bump in pay for the one at my level so I didn’t apply for it.
AnonymousJuly 1,2023 at 7:56PM UTC
Yes, you should always always ask why the role is open. If they let you know the role was new ask if they have calibrated the level in the org structure for the role or are they casting a wide net in terms of the market to see who applies or fits. Depending upon the answer - best asked to the hiring manager by the way - you will know if they are fishing loosely. If they are replacing someone ask why. If they terminated someone find out if you can why that person failed the role. Then you will learn about the most important things for success in the position and also about where to focus your interview and conversation. If the person quit you could also learn about whether the person did a great job or not that is also a predictor of your possible success as well. Gleaning any and all of this information should help along with looking at the leavers and comers to the company in LI. Using these together will let you know really what is going on and what level is the right one for the role they posted. Generally if they are an emerging company they might post with several versions to test the market and for those using key words in their job search. It's definitely NOT about you, its the companies inability to clearly brand externally their jobs. As for references, NEVER give those up front. They do not need those until you are at the offer stage. I once heard of someone whose references were viewed and cost them an opportunity before they even interviewed.