Job Interviews: What If the Job Doesn’t Exist?

Sometimes you’ll see a listing for a great job but the job doesn’t exist. And unfortunately you probably will never know that for sure. But brace yourself … companies do indeed post fake positions that do not now or may never exist.

Are companies that do this evil? Are the hiring managers bored and just playing games to amuse themselves? While I can’t rule out those possibilities, more likely they have reasons that seem good to them at the time. Even if this feels very unfair to legitimate job seekers.

Why companies post jobs that don’t exist

There are many reasons a company might decide to advertise a job that is “fake” — or at least one that doesn’t exist now or anytime soon. Some possible reasons:

• It was a simple mistake. The Hiring Manager had a job description for a possible future job and included it in their listings. But they may or may not interview for it now anyway — just in case.
• There was no mistake. The company is thinking about creating this job and wants to gather resumes and / or interview potential candidates now so they can move quickly if needed.
• Someone was supposed to be leaving who didn’t leave. The posted job is their job.
• The job was planned to be filled but budget cuts cancelled any immediate hiring. The company may or may not interview anyway.
• There is no job even a maybe job. But the company still wants to interview people to see if anyone feels like a good fit for the future.
• The company is using talented candidates to gather ideas / work product from them. Especially a possibility if they give you assignments to take home and submit for further consideration.
  • But companies also do this for legitimate reasons nowadays.
  • A writing sample submitted after the first interview once got me hired.

What if job doesn’t exist?

My advice is to interview anyway if it’s a company you like. There’s almost no way to know for sure (unless you have internal contacts) and any chance to get yourself seen by a company you’d want to be part of is worth taking. In the process, you may even hear of some other opportunity you’d like.

Give your strongest interview possible. Try to make a connection with the interviewer. Follow up with a thank you note that is memorable in that it reminds them how well you and the job / company match. And, if possible, add something to the note that adds to a question the interviewer asked or something they told you about the company.

And if you don’t hear anything from them, send another polite note in a few months just to let them know you’re still interested in working for them. Should they send you a rejection letter (even if job doesn’t exist), you can still send a thank you for the interview note if you haven’t already.

⇒  Rejected For a Job? Sample Thank You Note

Best advice?

Always assume the job is real and give it your all. There’s much to be gained potentially. You might even find a way to get yourself into the company with some freelance / consulting work once you know you didn’t get a salaried job. Keeping your eyes and ears open for opportunities — and names of potential contacts — always worth the effort for a company you like.

And if they do give you a take-home assignment, use your judgment as to how much of a freebie you’re willing to “risk” in case the job doesn’t exist. You might even self-publish what you submitted on a private website posting with date to protect your work product. And then bill them if they used your ideas!

More posts to help

15 Things I Look for When I Interview People

They Reposted the Job. Should I Kiss It Good-Bye?

Why Networking Matters So Darn Much

10 Steps To Match Your Resume to the Job

Why a Resume Gets Rejected — Even Good Ones!

Start Building Networking Connections That Last!