If you come across a job posting that is no longer available, don’t panic. There are still steps you can take to pursue the opportunity.
Contact the company
Even if the job ad has been removed, that doesn’t necessarily mean the position has been filled.
Many companies take down postings once they have received a certain number of applicants. Reach out to the company’s HR department or hiring manager to inquire about the status of the role. Let them know you are still interested in being considered.
Check the company’s website
Often times companies will re-post open positions on their careers page. It’s worth regularly checking the website of the company you want to work for to look for updated listings. New postings don’t always get re-advertised the same way. Also, see if the role gets posted on the company’s LinkedIn or other social media pages.
Sign up for job alerts
Another easy way to stay on top of new openings is to set up automatic job alerts. On sites like Indeed and LinkedIn, you can customize searches for your dream role or company and get notified when matching jobs get posted. This takes the manual work out of checking for listings everyday.
Network internally
Leverage any connections you may have at the company, even if it’s just an initial contact. Reach out and explain your interest in the role, and ask if they can offer any insight about the hiring plans. Employees are often the first to know if similar jobs will be opening up again in the future.
Check for similar openings
Chances are if a company was hiring for a specific type of role once, they will likely need to fill that position or a similar one again down the line. Broaden your search criteria a bit to find comparable jobs either at that company or others in the same industry. Getting your foot in the door somewhere similar is a great way to make yourself the top candidate once your dream job reopens.
Consider contract or temporary work
If it’s a particular company you’re after, see if they have any contract, freelance or temp work available. Taking on short term projects can help you demonstrate your skills and get exposure to the team and managers. When permanent positions open up again, you’ll have the advantage of already being established with the employer.
Ask for referrals
Another way to get your resume in front of the right people is asking for referrals from your network. Reach out to any professional contacts, friends or even family who may have a tie to the company in question. Employees who refer candidates often get bonuses or incentives when their referral gets hired.
Keep applying
Persistence is key in the job search process. Keep checking back on the company’s jobs page and reapplying when you see a relevant opening. With the job market being highly competitive, it often takes applying to multiple roles until you find the right fit. Stay motivated and don’t get discouraged if your first choice doesn’t pan out.
Conclusion
While having a specific job posting disappear can be disappointing, it’s not necessarily the end of the road. Take proactive steps like networking with the company’s employees, signing up for alerts and applying for similar openings. With the right amount of persistence and creativity, you can still manage to land your dream job even if the initial posting is no longer available.
