Would you apply to a job ad if the employer does not identify themselves?

[The good guy]

Well to be honest they can place ads without names because there is far more people out there looking a job more than the availability of jobs..I don't agree with it but at the end of the day there inbox will be over flowing with mails.

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Here's an example of an anonymous job ad.

Why on earth should someone email or fax their personal details to some anonymous entity?

[kilaj1]

and your sending it to a gmail account at that!!

[roleli]

While I see the concerns raised, I will like to post a defence for those companies.

1. Many times the recruitment is being handled by a 3rd party organisation on behalf of the other organisation.

2. Sometimes the employee does not want everyone to know their strategic direction.
e.g. Look at this example, and as far as I know it is an example only. If you saw Cable and Wireless putting an ad out about seeking cable TV technicians, Cable Box Repairmen, that would be a dead giveaway about what they are up to. Could they be seeking to get the next all-island cable license?

3. Many times when the organisation is named, they get a huge amount of applications, with many if not most of the applications far from relevant to the post being advertised. This puts a huge demand on the resources. Did you see the Gleaner article where thousand of men turned up at JDF when then were seeking only about 300 men?

4. Sometime the organisation is about to fire a rogue employee. Note, sometimes this is not the case. The company does not want the person to know they are being replaced but at the same time do not want to fire the person and then start recruiting. In effect, they have ensure that there can be a smooth transition.

So if you see a job that looks like yours you need to check it out. This could also pose a delimna to the person seeking a job, as they might end upapplying to the anonymous job which turns out to be theirs.

The organisations believe that persons, who really want the job advertised, will respond as they are prepared to step outside the box

Resumes effectively not private.

Given the nature of how job seeking is going now, if you post your resume online at hotjobs.com, monster.com and many other online Job Sites. Those resumes are made available to employers who pay to access them.

A large number of employers, WHO YOU DO NOT KNOW, are able to search and review your resume and you never know.

If you are concerned about privacy, this is what I would recommend.

1. Using a mailing address different from your real address for your resume.
2. Use a different telephone number from your regular one.
3. Only provide the basic information relevant to the job being applied for with a promise that a more detail resume is available

In the end we all have choices. I have only presented another side of the story.

[recursion]

i see some places just put a fax number, P.O box and no name or just an email address. If i see a fax number i simply type it in google & put 876 before the number and it links back to jamaica yellow pages and it shows the name of the organization. But am not applying to those places or sending no resume unless i know where it is going.

Here's an example of an anonymous job ad.

Why on earth should someone email or fax their personal details to some anonymous entity?

http://www.google.com.jm/search?hl=e...55&btnG=Search

Niiice

[kilaj1]

http://www.google.com.jm/search?hl=e...55&btnG=Search

Niiice

yep this one is fine to apply to based on that search, its the ones that come up with no info i wouldn't apply to.

[Kev4eva]

Here's an example of an anonymous job ad.

Why on earth should someone email or fax their personal details to some anonymous entity?

lol not to worry as i said before if its a local number just put 876 before it in google and bingo its no longer an anonymous entity unless no info comes up.

http://www.google.com.jm/search?hl=e...55&btnG=Search

Niiice

ahhh u learning da ropes lol well done son

[roleli]

The fact you can find out the company that the fax or telephone number belongs does not mean that it is that company that is recruiting. IT might actually be a related company or a subsidiary.

Some companies ask other companies to collection the applications for them and then pass it on.

[Kev4eva]

The fact you can find out the company that the fax or telephone number belongs does not mean that it is that company that is recruiting. IT might actually be a related company or a subsidiary.

Some companies ask other companies to collection the applications for them and then pass it on.

well its much better having that info rather than not having any information at all as to where your personal information will end up. So even if its a related company or subsidiary you can definitely know where your infoor resume will end up rather than guessing where it will end up.

[BlackCryptoKnight]

roleli, thanks for responding and giving another perspective.

1. Many times the recruitment is being handled by a 3rd party organisation on behalf of the other organisation.

If that is the case, then why just say that? There have been ads put out by known HR firms who clearly state that they are recruiting on behalf of their client. At least the job seeker would know that it's not a fly-by-night operation getting his info.

2. Sometimes the employee does not want everyone to know their strategic direction.
e.g. Look at this example, and as far as I know it is an example only. If you saw Cable and Wireless putting an ad out about seeking cable TV technicians, Cable Box Repairmen, that would be a dead giveaway about what they are up to. Could they be seeking to get the next all-island cable license?

There are ways of recruiting without attracting attention like that, and at the same time being fair to the job seeker. As you stated in your first point, they could go through a recruitment firm.

3. Many times when the organisation is named, they get a huge amount of applications, with many if not most of the applications far from relevant to the post being advertised. This puts a huge demand on the resources. Did you see the Gleaner article where thousand of men turned up at JDF when then were seeking only about 300 men?

This is Jamaica. Jobs are scarce. Any job ad you put out will likely attract many applicants. Besides, as I said before, with that approach, you are more likely to turn off the kinds of serious applicants you want, because they have the same concerns expressed in this thread. You'd end up getting applications from the more desperate job seekers, and not necessarily the best. The best have more options. They don't need to answer to an anonymous job ad.

4. Sometime the organisation is about to fire a rogue employee. Note, sometimes this is not the case. The company does not want the person to know they are being replaced but at the same time do not want to fire the person and then start recruiting. In effect, they have ensure that there can be a smooth transition.

So if you see a job that looks like yours you need to check it out. This could also pose a delimna to the person seeking a job, as they might end upapplying to the anonymous job which turns out to be theirs.

If a company posts a job which fits yours to a tee, then it's just as well they state who they are in the ad, because you will know it is your job based on what is put there. A company that is prudent enough to put in place a proper succession planning mechanism will not need to resort to those kinds of gimmicks. They would be prepared to transition a successor into that role without having to go outside to fill the post.

The organisations believe that persons, who really want the job advertised, will respond as they are prepared to step outside the box

Translation: Companies feel they have the handle, and the job seekers have the blade. If they're desperate enough, they'll apply despite the cost to them. This is unfair, but at the end of the day, a job seeker can choose not to apply.

Resumes effectively not private.

Sure. But despite that, you can still take steps to minimize your exposure. That is why knowing who you give your resume to matters. Giving it to a legitimate firm that is hiring is different from giving it to an identity thief who you know little about. At least if big company X misuses your data, you know who to take action against.

Given the nature of how job seeking is going now, if you post your resume online at hotjobs.com, monster.com and many other online Job Sites. Those resumes are made available to employers who pay to access them.

A large number of employers, WHO YOU DO NOT KNOW, are able to search and review your resume and you never know.

Many of those job sites have privacy features in place so that employers don't know your contact details and identity. This is to prevent your current employer from finding out you are looking for another job. But yes, if you give your resume to anybody, there is a chance that someone other than them could have access to it. That scenario is still better than the PO box. At least you know that your resume is with Monster.com and can hold them accountable for any breeches in confidentiality etc.

If you are concerned about privacy, this is what I would recommend.

1. Using a mailing address different from your real address for your resume.
2. Use a different telephone number from your regular one.
3. Only provide the basic information relevant to the job being applied for with a promise that a more detail resume is available

In the end we all have choices. I have only presented another side of the story.

Good advice there. Thanks for your input.