Why Old Job Postings Persist Despite Regular Updates

Companies often face the decision of whether to pull old job postings from their websites or applicant tracking systems (ATS). This article explores the reasons why such postings may remain visible, despite the benefits of regular updates. Various strategic, legal, and operational reasons can motivate companies to retain old job postings, impacting their visibility, SEO, and compliance with labor laws.

Visibility and Branding

One major reason for retaining old job postings is to maintain a strong employer brand. Keeping these postings on the company website can showcase the evolution of roles and the company culture, which can attract future candidates. This practice not only enhances the employer brand but also keeps the company top-of-mind for potential hires, increasing the chances of attracting suitable applicants in the future.

SEO and Traffic

Old job postings contribute significantly to search engine optimization (SEO). These postings keep the website active and indexed, driving organic traffic to the site. Regular traffic from job seekers can lead to a higher volume of applications for current openings, ultimately benefiting the company in the long run.

Legal Compliance and Data Retention

Some organizations are required to keep job postings for a certain period to comply with labor laws and regulations, especially for government contractors or companies in regulated industries. Additionally, companies may have internal data retention policies that determine how long they keep records, including job postings. These policies can vary widely from one organization to another, necessitating the retention of certain postings for legal and historical reference purposes.

Resource Constraints

Regularly updating or cleaning up old job postings can require significant resources. This includes time, personnel, and technology to manage the ATS effectively. Companies may not always have the necessary resources to perform these tasks consistently, leading to the retention of old job postings.

Historical Reference and Candidate Interest

Old job postings can serve as valuable historical references for future hiring managers. They provide insights into the evolution of job roles and responsibilities, facilitating better decision-making in recruitment. Additionally, sometimes candidates may express interest in roles that were previously posted, and having that information available can help facilitate future recruitment efforts or discussions.

A Few More Reasons

There are a few other reasons why companies might not pull old job postings from their ATS or websites:

The Job Site's Own Policies

Many job sites keep old job postings for a long time, even after the advertiser has removed them. This is often done to maintain a claim of having the largest number of active job postings, which can be a significant factor for companies like Indeed or LinkedIn. This practice can take control out of the hands of the job advertisers, causing frustration and inconvenience.

Apathy and Resource Constraints

Recruiters may be overly busy or simply forget to remove old postings, leading to the accumulation of outdated job listings. Some recruiters might think, "What's the harm if it sends me some more good candidates for next time?" or "I have better things to do than spend 5 minutes removing an old advert!" This apathy, combined with lack of resources, can lead to the persistence of old job postings.

Understanding these reasons can provide valuable insights into the practices of job postings and their management. While the decision to retain or remove old postings is often strategic, it can also be influenced by practical considerations and operational constraints.