Should I Still Apply If Was Posted Weeks Ago or Reposted?

"Trevor, should I still apply if a job was posted weeks ago, or reposted?"

You’re scrolling through job listings, and there it is - the perfect role.

Right company. Right title. Right salary or rate (hmmm…hopefully).

But then… you see it. Posted 27 days ago.

Instant panic. “How did I miss that one????” 

❌ "They've probably already filled it."

x

❌ "I’m too late."

❌ "No point in applying now."

Mate, hold up. It may not be what it seems.

The truth about ‘stale’ job postings is that most people assume that if a job has been up for a few weeks or reposted, the hiring manager is already deep in final interviews, choosing between two exceptional candidates.

Reality? Not always.

✅ Recruitment isn’t instant. On average, it takes 36 days to fill a job in Australia. (SHRM)

✅ Hiring managers get busy. They post a role, then get buried in meetings, projects and other things.

✅ Some job ads are up forever. Companies keep roles open to build talent pipelines, even when they’re not urgently hiring.

A job posted weeks ago doesn’t mean you’ve missed the boat. It just means you may need a different approach.

I know one major Australian telco who have been advertised for 15 PMs a month ago and STILL HAVEN’T INTERVIEWED ANYONE! It happens all the time!

So, should you still apply?

YES, if…

✔️ The role is still listed on the company website (not just a job board).

✔️ There’s no “applications closed” update.

✔️ You meet 80+% of the criteria.

NO, if…

❌ The company has re-posted a similar job (suggesting they filled this one).

❌ You find an announcement online like, “Welcome to our new [Job Title]!”

❌ The recruiter tells you, “We’ve already made an offer.”

So how can you get noticed - even after the deadline?

1️⃣ Skip the ‘Apply’ button - go straight to the hiring manager or recruiter.

Find them on LinkedIn, send a short, sharp message asking if the role is still available and why you’re a fit. (Most people won’t bother, which is why this works).

2️⃣ Leverage your network.

If you know someone at the company, get a referral. Referrals increase your chances by 4x. (Jobvite)

3️⃣ Apply and follow up immediately.

Most applications sit in an inbox, untouched. A well-timed email or LinkedIn message can push yours to the top.

Here’s the bottom line - just because a job’s been up for weeks doesn’t mean it’s off the table.

Hiring isn’t an exact science - it’s messy, delayed and sometimes just downright chaotic. You just never know – go ahead, throw your hat in the ring and chase it!

Worst case? You don’t hear back. That’s expected, right?

Best case? You land an interview because you stood out and chased it down.

💬 Have you ever applied for an “old” job posting and still got hired? Tell the world in the comments