Should I apply for this job?
October 16, 2014 7:48 PM Subscribe
About a month ago I applied for a job, but was then told that the company had been put under a hiring freeze. They recently posted another interesting looking job opening; do I bother to apply?
Last month, I applied for a job at Acme Co. in Department A. Earlier this week I received a call from Department A's manager, telling me that although I was a strong candidate, the company was recently put under a hiring freeze and there would be no further action on that job posting. This seemed unusual on Acme's part, but may be explained by the fact that a mentor of mine has ties to Acme Co. and may have mentioned me to Manager A. Oh well.
The day after speaking with Manager A, Acme Co. posted an interesting job opening in Department B. So what's going on? I figure that either: a) the job posting is part of Acme's HR procedures and may be a dead end; or b) I misunderstood Manager A and the hiring freeze is only within Department A. (Also possible: Manager A was misinformed; or the hiring freeze was lifted.)
So now I'm wondering if I should still apply to the new job in Department B and whether I should get in touch with Manager A about it. Manager A may have absolutely no idea about what goes on within Department B, but on the other hand, if she really thinks I'm a strong candidate this could help me in my application (assuming the company is actually hiring). Thoughts?
Last month, I applied for a job at Acme Co. in Department A. Earlier this week I received a call from Department A's manager, telling me that although I was a strong candidate, the company was recently put under a hiring freeze and there would be no further action on that job posting. This seemed unusual on Acme's part, but may be explained by the fact that a mentor of mine has ties to Acme Co. and may have mentioned me to Manager A. Oh well.
The day after speaking with Manager A, Acme Co. posted an interesting job opening in Department B. So what's going on? I figure that either: a) the job posting is part of Acme's HR procedures and may be a dead end; or b) I misunderstood Manager A and the hiring freeze is only within Department A. (Also possible: Manager A was misinformed; or the hiring freeze was lifted.)
So now I'm wondering if I should still apply to the new job in Department B and whether I should get in touch with Manager A about it. Manager A may have absolutely no idea about what goes on within Department B, but on the other hand, if she really thinks I'm a strong candidate this could help me in my application (assuming the company is actually hiring). Thoughts?
Yes. Hiring freezes sometimes mean "no new people."
Agreed. In my experience, hiring freeze means no additional employees, not no replacement of employees who leave. Further, it's common for profitable departments to be exempt from hiring freezes. For instance, research organizations at academic institutions that bring in their own funding can often hire even when the higher level institution has instituted a hiring freeze.
Thoughts?
I've never found a situation where it's a bad idea to apply for a job you're interested in. I've found many situations where it's a good idea to apply for a job you're interested in, even if you don't think you'll get the job.
I'd contact Manager A and indicate your interest in Department B and that you are applying for Department B. There's a small chance Manager A could either advocate for you at Department B in order to "get you in the door" to eventually work for Manager A. I doubt there's much that would end up happening, but applying definitely can't hurt you.
posted by saeculorum at 8:08 PM on October 16, 2014
Agreed. In my experience, hiring freeze means no additional employees, not no replacement of employees who leave. Further, it's common for profitable departments to be exempt from hiring freezes. For instance, research organizations at academic institutions that bring in their own funding can often hire even when the higher level institution has instituted a hiring freeze.
Thoughts?
I've never found a situation where it's a bad idea to apply for a job you're interested in. I've found many situations where it's a good idea to apply for a job you're interested in, even if you don't think you'll get the job.
I'd contact Manager A and indicate your interest in Department B and that you are applying for Department B. There's a small chance Manager A could either advocate for you at Department B in order to "get you in the door" to eventually work for Manager A. I doubt there's much that would end up happening, but applying definitely can't hurt you.
posted by saeculorum at 8:08 PM on October 16, 2014
A company under a temporary hiring freeze may still go through the selection process. They just won't be able to bring the selectee on board immediately. If you wait until you know the freeze is over, they may already have made up their mind.
posted by ctmf at 8:08 PM on October 16, 2014
posted by ctmf at 8:08 PM on October 16, 2014
Two things:
1) At least at the company I work for, there are tons of posted positions that are not actually ever going to be filled. This is done for all sorts of weird reasons, which boil down to the fact that the company really doesn't care about candidates wasting their time. It could easily be a manager who asked for a new employee, the employee hasn't actually been budgeted and never will be, but the HR department agreed to put up a listing anyway.
2) I have heard managers say "we are under a hiring freeze" as a polite way of saying "you aren't a good fit for the position."
So yes, I think you should apply, because persistence pays off. But don't get your hopes up.
posted by miyabo at 8:21 PM on October 16, 2014
1) At least at the company I work for, there are tons of posted positions that are not actually ever going to be filled. This is done for all sorts of weird reasons, which boil down to the fact that the company really doesn't care about candidates wasting their time. It could easily be a manager who asked for a new employee, the employee hasn't actually been budgeted and never will be, but the HR department agreed to put up a listing anyway.
2) I have heard managers say "we are under a hiring freeze" as a polite way of saying "you aren't a good fit for the position."
So yes, I think you should apply, because persistence pays off. But don't get your hopes up.
posted by miyabo at 8:21 PM on October 16, 2014
Of course. You do wish to be employed there, yes? Then you must apply.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:05 PM on October 16, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Ironmouth at 9:05 PM on October 16, 2014 [2 favorites]
It is common for Acme Co. to post and repost job listings and use "hiring freeze" as a way to respond to applicants.
I worked in the hiring department at Levi's corporate - there were thousands of people there which occupied a couple of blocks - there were a startling number of applications that were processed and discarded on a daily basis. It's expected from both ends that the ease of application and the ease of rejection will result in a bit of ease on each end.
I saw who got hired and persistance works. I advise it.
posted by vapidave at 10:39 PM on October 16, 2014
I worked in the hiring department at Levi's corporate - there were thousands of people there which occupied a couple of blocks - there were a startling number of applications that were processed and discarded on a daily basis. It's expected from both ends that the ease of application and the ease of rejection will result in a bit of ease on each end.
I saw who got hired and persistance works. I advise it.
posted by vapidave at 10:39 PM on October 16, 2014
I agree with saeculorum and vapidave. One way to be sure you won't get the job is not to apply for it.
posted by Gelatin at 5:15 AM on October 17, 2014
posted by Gelatin at 5:15 AM on October 17, 2014
I once applied for a new position and was told informally that I was going to be hired, but was then told that a hiring freeze had been instituted. Soon afterward, an existing employee left, and I was hired for that spot. You don't know what's going on, but apply - it could very well be the same situation.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 5:55 AM on October 17, 2014
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 5:55 AM on October 17, 2014
What do you have to lose by posting for it? No one will fault you for sending an application in for a job that is advertised.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:09 AM on October 17, 2014
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:09 AM on October 17, 2014
General Malaise said: "you have nothing to lose. Showing more initiative rarely hurts you."
Make this your job search mantra.
As long as you are unfailingly polite and observe the forms, you should always be persisent, call back, apply again, talk to someone else, etc.
I've even called back after getting officially rejected and asked how I could have been a better candidate. Sometimes I get nothing, but at least once, I got information that in fact lead to a position with another firm I would never have considered -- or qualified for.
posted by Herodios at 7:28 AM on October 17, 2014
Make this your job search mantra.
As long as you are unfailingly polite and observe the forms, you should always be persisent, call back, apply again, talk to someone else, etc.
I've even called back after getting officially rejected and asked how I could have been a better candidate. Sometimes I get nothing, but at least once, I got information that in fact lead to a position with another firm I would never have considered -- or qualified for.
posted by Herodios at 7:28 AM on October 17, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by General Malaise at 7:56 PM on October 16, 2014 [2 favorites]