Reasons for advertising a job externally

Concerned75

Hi.
I have a job question and ideally would welcome replies from experienced people in HR or recruitment.
I saw a job advertised on a job website. The role is something that was unofficial discussed where I work.
I can't be 100% sure it is a role at my place, but the requirements are so specific to the area where I work.
My dilemma is ultimately, I would like to apply for the job. I want to ring the agency advertising it and find out more about it, but if I do and it is linked, then I'm stuck because it hasn't been advertised on our notice board and I'm worried about the reprocussions of going behind the company's back, so to speak, assuming it's linked
Is it standard policy that job opportunities are advertised internally first, unless noone is suitable for the role etc....? As in this case, there are people suitable for the role, but haven't been asked/assessed. Any ideas the reasons for this?
By the way, if anyone knows how I can find out more about the role without incriminating myself, either via the agency or my HR next week, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.

HappyMJ

They can advertise directly outside the organization first if they want there is nothing requiring them to advertise all jobs internally first.

I'd have a chat to your line manager and see if there are positions within the company that you could move to and I would mention that you have seen this position advertised and would like to apply for it internally.

I wouldn't apply through the agency but I would make enquiries with the agency to see if they had any other positions available.

sangie595

Concerned75 wrote: »

Hi.
I have a job question and ideally would welcome replies from experienced people in HR or recruitment.
I saw a job advertised on a job website. The role is something that was unofficial discussed where I work.
I can't be 100% sure it is a role at my place, but the requirements are so specific to the area where I work.
My dilemma is ultimately, I would like to apply for the job. I want to ring the agency advertising it and find out more about it, but if I do and it is linked, then I'm stuck because it hasn't been advertised on our notice board and I'm worried about the reprocussions of going behind the company's back, so to speak, assuming it's linked
Is it standard policy that job opportunities are advertised internally first, unless noone is suitable for the role etc....? As in this case, there are people suitable for the role, but haven't been asked/assessed. Any ideas the reasons for this?
By the way, if anyone knows how I can find out more about the role without incriminating myself, either via the agency or my HR next week, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.

Assuming it is the same role, and company policy is to not go external unless they don't think they have the internal skills, then that would seem to answer your question - they are looking for something they do not believe that they have at the moment.

I am not sure what is incriminating about you contacting an agency about a job - wherever that job happens to be. Perhaps they might think again if you are looking to leave. Or not. But I can't see why they would be surprised that their employees actually look at the job market - lots of employees do.

Concerned75

The problem is I think it's a role we are already doing, it looks like they just want someone in a supervisory role to oversea it.
I am as far as I know previous experience in the job I do. The others I work alongside with, have none at all. I havent been there as long as them and the others are known by the company for no experience, I wouldn't want to get overlooked because there is a lot of them.
I think you can't apply for the same job twice, so that would cancel me out immediately, if I made that mistake.
There are no other positions I could move to because of health etc..It would be a new created role to start end of March. I did causally as my line manager if he knew of it. His face went blank; either because he didn't genuinely know of it, or its not official to let anyone know internally at this stage. I know this sounds a bit complicated, but the workforce is now predominantly Polish and there is an element of favouritism going on towards them from some of the management, even though they don't have the skills. Perhaps that's why they've advertised outside.
Incidentally, my last workplace contract said " no employees must be actively seeking work, whilst in employment at X" It does happen.
Perhaps I should ask the agency exactly where the job is, sometimes they're very vague.

Concerned75

That should have read. I'm the only one with years of previous experience

HappyMJ

Concerned75 wrote: »

The problem is I think it's a role we are already doing, it looks like they just want someone in a supervisory role to oversea it.
I am as far as I know previous experience in the job I do. The others I work alongside with, have none at all. I havent been there as long as them and the others are known by the company for no experience, I wouldn't want to get overlooked because there is a lot of them.
I think you can't apply for the same job twice, so that would cancel me out immediately, if I made that mistake.
There are no other positions I could move to because of health etc..It would be a new created role to start end of March. I did causally as my line manager if he knew of it. His face went blank; either because he didn't genuinely know of it, or its not official to let anyone know internally at this stage. I know this sounds a bit complicated, but the workforce is now predominantly Polish and there is an element of favouritism going on towards them from some of the management, even though they don't have the skills. Perhaps that's why they've advertised outside.
Incidentally, my last workplace contract said " no employees must be actively seeking work, whilst in employment at X" It does happen.
Perhaps I should ask the agency exactly where the job is, sometimes they're very vague.

I'd ignore that term. It's unenforceable. I'm always looking for work whether I've just started a job or been working for months. If someone is willing to pay me more money for the same effort I'll take their money instead....that's me though I have a service to sell...my labour and I'll sell it to the highest bidder. I have no loyalty at all to any of my clients.

Concerned75

Hehehe. I am the same as you. I've worked hard to have the skills to do the required job. Why should I give them away for free, or sell myself short! These days, the loyalty goes both ways I find.

Concerned75

"loyalty" no such word in the workplace. It's a tough world.

sangie595

Concerned75 wrote: »

I know this sounds a bit complicated, but the workforce is now predominantly Polish and there is an element of favouritism going on towards them from some of the management, even though they don't have the skills. .

Hmm. In your opinion. But perhaps not in the opinion of your employers? In my experience management favouritism is generally directed at people who get the job done for them, because that is what makes money. So if the workforce is predominantly Polish then that suggests that that is the make up that gets the job done. Perhaps they are looking for someone with a broader view of their business needs than speculating on the ethnic make-up?

Slinky

The agency are very unlikely to tell you where the job is - what's in it for them? Otherwise what stop you applying for a job directly to the employer, who may or may not be your existing employer.

Concerned75

That is true, Slinky. It is the case alot of the time.
The facts here I should point out to Sangie595 is I'm an experienced machinist. The people in my section didn't come to the work with this skill. They were chosen because few people wanted to work there, due to the location. It has nothing to do with employers choice of hardworkers. They had to train each other in a fashion.