Job Posting Removed before Interview — Possible Meanings

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If you’ve landed on our page today, you must be confused as to why a job posting may get deleted or taken down before you even get a chance to be interviewed by your target employer.

There is a multitude of angles to look at regarding this query. One thing’s for sure though: an employer would less likely recklessly remove a job posting without even trying a discussion with an applicant.

Interested to learn more? Please scroll down to get the hang of this recruitment-related concern.

 

What does it mean when a job posting is deleted before the interview?

A job posting may be deleted before the job interview because the job position has been filled in, there is a surplus, shortage, or enough applicants, the ad platform subscription has ended, the job posting period has ended, the job description is being edited, or the job posting is illegitimate.

 

Possible reasons why a job posting is deleted before an interview

Most seasoned employers have sufficient funding to pay wages to a team of recruiters to handle hiring procedures.

This allows the organization, especially large-scale ones, to do away with the burden of recruitment processes.

It also enables the smooth flow of organizational operations because employers could have a talent pool in case turnover rates increase.

Since this is the case, human resource management training programs are also designed to edify recruiters to strategize depending on economic transitions.

More often than not, several reasons compel experienced recruiters and organizations to decide to delete job advertisements or postings online.

Listed below are the most notorious ones.

 

Filled-in position

When an employer has already found a suitable person for a vacant position, then it is likely going to remove a job posting before an interview with the nth applicant takes place.

This also means that the person may have already committed to working for the company either verbally or by signing a legal contract or any written agreement form.

Once this happens, the job posting can be conveniently taken down to prevent further applications from inundating the recruiters’ responsibilities.

However, the recruiting team cannot just tactlessly rely on such agreements because anything can still stop the chosen person to really start working for the company.

So, if you have been scheduled for an interview prior to the removal of the job ad, you will still be contacted to proceed with the interview procedures.

The best thing to do is to keep your lines open, as well as your mind.

Do not sulk over this issue too much, and just keep swimming, I mean searching, in case you won’t be considered for the role.

 

Surplus or shortage of applicants

Another possible reason is either the shortage or surplus of applications for the posted job position.

Either of the two factors could prompt the employer to delete the job posting so as to mitigate any recruitment-related problem.

A shortage of applications could mean that there might be some issues with the job description or details, including the compensation package, work location, and qualifications.

Whereas, a surplus of applications may suggest an increase in the unemployment rates on a larger scale of the labor market.

Hence, any of these two reasons may also explain why an employer deletes a job posting before an interview.

 

Sufficient number of applicants

In conjunction with the previous reason, job postings may also be taken down when there are enough applicants on the employer’s plate.

Let’s just say that the management has already set a number of target applications within a certain period.

And, you happened to be the last person who got scheduled for an interview before the job posting is set to be deleted from the advertising platform.

This reason may also prompt the job posting’s removal, and thus, there’s no need to read too much between the lines.

If you’ve already been scheduled for an interview, then, of course, you will be given the chance to apply for the role.

 

Subscription expiration

Another possible reason that the job posting might suddenly disappear is when the company’s subscription plan on the advertising website has just ended before your appointment for an interview.

This could actually mean that the job ad will be reposted as soon as the employer decides to continue their subscription plan.

If not, then you can try checking other popular websites for the same job posting. You may try going to Craigslist or even Linkedin for a similar post.

Just make sure you’ve taken some notes about the job ad, or a screenshot perhaps, so you can use accurate keywords when searching online.

 

End of the job posting period

The general job posting period in most websites should last an average of thirty days or one month.

If you’ve applied for a particular role only a couple of days to a week before the posting period is about to end, then it is pretty common for the job ad to disappear.

Most of the time, though, especially if you have linked your e-mail account to the job advertising website, you will automatically get notified when and if the posting period ends.

Checking your e-mail regularly prevents this kind of confusion. But, if you really want to be sure, you may also contact the company for clarification.

Recruiters often set a period of one to two weeks to decide and finalize the best person for the role.

If two weeks have passed after you’ve been called for an interview, yet you still haven’t heard from anybody, it’s time to either contact the company or simply move on to another prospective employer.

 

Job details being edited

Sometimes, employers may have to adjust the job description for some reason. These reasons may include the need to modify details in compensation and benefits, work location, and qualifications.

When this happens, an employer may temporarily take down a job post to edit the necessary information.

In particular, this situation may occur when employers receive one too many unqualified applicants, such as underqualified and overqualified ones.

What you can do is to avoid sulking on the matter, review your application as well as the company profile to see whether it is really the best place where you want to be. 

 

Illegitimate job posting

Finally, a job post may also be taken down when and if it is found and proven to be inauthentic or a recruitment scam.

When this happens, you had better be grateful for not being unwittingly involved in any organization that is legally liable for some criminal offense.

Unfortunately speaking, some illegal recruiters may also be taking advantage of the surge in online job applications.

Some job advertising platforms may implement strict policies against fraudulent recruitment schemes.

And thus, an advertising website may automatically cancel or block doubtful job postings if they do not meet the terms and conditions of the site.

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

 

What does “job posting removed but the application is still under review” mean?

This could mean that the employer may have received sufficient number of applicants that it prompted them to stop accepting applications. The application is still under review because the employer is still deliberating on the most suitable person for the role.

 

What does it mean when a job posting gets taken down after the final interview?

This likely implies that the employer is still deliberating on whom to hire for the vacant job position, which includes your own application. It may also mean that the position has been filled in, so you had better be prepared either way.

 

What does it mean when a position is closed after an interview?

A position could get closed after an interview either when the job position has been filled in or the employer is still deciding on whom to hire among the existing applicants.

 

Conclusion

Apart from recommendations or referrals, the other most convenient way of getting a decent job is through an online application.

Knowing the nooks and crannies behind it enables us not to read too much on signs that may only cause apprehensions.

So, seasoned or not, reading a blog or two about this topic is not only useful but also pretty much meditative.