I am really mad. I took a lot of time perfecting a CV and covering letter for a certain company, and sent it before applications were supposed to close. I then get a reply saying 'Thanks for your application, however the position has now been filled'
*considers sending hatemail to company*
:mad:

Must admit I've never noticed that happen - in my recent experience you are lucky to hear anything back at all if you're unsuccessful! Console yourself that at least in this day and age of computers, you can use the same CV and letter to apply elsewhere...

Originally posted by SilentStatic
I am really mad. I took a lot of time perfecting a CV and covering letter for a certain company, and sent it before applications were supposed to close. I then get a reply saying 'Thanks for your application, however the position has now been filled'

They could have filled it internally rather than continuing external recruitment? Unfortunately, the closing date for a job application is, AFAIK, the last day they will accept applications, but they can choose to make it earlier or extend it if they wish. It's only a guideline based on their internal schedule, after all.

Commiserations on the news, though. There are other jobs out there ...

Working in the trade, I have always been taught that it is bad practice to fill a position before the closing date has gone - that you shouldn't even look at any applications until after the closing date. But trying to convince managers in my organisation of that is quite a different matter. They are faced with staff shortages that have to be covered, and most all of them are bothered about is filling it as soon as possible. So as soon as an application comes in for a decent candidate they want to interview straight away and appoint as soon as possible.

Some organisations are better at enforcing closing dates than others. You will probably find that bigger organisations are stricter on not shortlisting until after the closing date (probably because they can afford to cover the vacancy for longer).

SilentStatic,

Just to be clear..... did you get the reply before or after the closing date?

There was a case a few years back of ytwo people going for one in house position. They had both been interviewed after the deadline and the position was almost allocated, one was told that he'd got the appointment, but no announcement could be made until the other candidate returned from holiday. In the meantime someone else applied (after the deadline) and was given the job.

Needless to say, the two unlucky candidates no longer work at the firm.

Originally posted by cgksheff
SilentStatic,

Just to be clear..... did you get the reply before or after the closing date?

I actually received a reply about a minute after I sent my covering letter and CV (ie, while they were still supposed to be accepting applications). So at least they're good at communicating. Anyways, next time I'll try to send it off before they've even advertised the position :P

Originally posted by SilentStatic
Anyways, next time I'll try to send it off before they've even advertised the position :P

And don't forget to mention that you are immediately available for engagement - that way you beat all the other applicants to the job! :thumbsup:

Good luck with the job hunting SilentStatic. Pleased to have met you at the last forum meet.

just because a deadline is set doesn't mean that the advertisers can't decide to fill the job with the first person that meets the criteria.
The deadline is for their benefit, not yours, in order to stop applications coming in for weeks after they intend to have decided.

Originally posted by Cyclone
just because a deadline is set doesn't mean that the advertisers can't decide to fill the job with the first person that meets the criteria.
Yes well, I think I've figured that out now thanks ;) Anyways, never mind. The (temporary) job wasn't particularly exciting - I mainly applied due to it being only 15 minutes down the road.

Thanks for the tip redrobbo (John?). Was a pleasure meeting you (and others) last night.