How can I avoid applying to companies who have only advertised openings...?

Question

...and are only out to pad their database?

Answer 1

I am not sure of the trend you are seeing, however I have found in my organization that has been monitoring hiring trends, that most companies advertise requisitions to meet forecasted business demands, because forecast is not an actual it is always better to have too many people looking for jobs than not enough if you are a recruiter... If you are a job seeker, it is always better to be THE person applying for a job at the time you are available.

How to narrow the odds? Would you want to? If that company gets a ton of jobs you would love, is it inconvenient to have to wait a few days or weeks for the right opportunity? If so, my suggestion is to pick from a list of company - direct recruiters as they have a little more control in the hiring cycle, but probably a lower volume of opportunity than a recruiter who might be able to offer a variety of opportunity, but also might be subject to churn.

OTHER causes? Are you looking on job boards or direct company sites? Direct Company sites are often updated more frequently than many job boards, UNLESS that company had contracted with the job board to deliver their exclusive job listing. In that case, perhaps the situation is not padding the resumes, but the frequency of updating the Big Job Board Companies.

Answer 2

How would you know?

Don't think you can...