How to find a job I want to apply for when all listings seem to be 'Mystery Jobs'?

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I'm wanting to move on from my current position, but I'm very discouraged that the majority of job listings I see in my area (Software/web developer) seem to be from recruitment agencies that give very little info about the company or job. Finding an interesting, stimulating, positive place to work is the most important thing to me.



Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?







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  • 7




    You're assuming that the recruitment agencies actually have jobs and aren't just putting ads out there to get people into their database.
    – Telastyn
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:29










  • possible duplicate of What are specific ways to learn meaningful information about company culture in interviews?
    – gnat
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:46






  • 1




    Ancient Wisdom: "To find a prince you must kiss ten thousand frogs". Pucker up... :-)
    – Bob Jarvis
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:50










  • There are tons of software job websites that have many, many openings. You don't specify your location, which could help answer your question.
    – Bowen
    Mar 10 '15 at 23:32










  • The problem isn't a lack of openings, it's a lack of any meaningful information about those openings. 80% seem to be 'We have a fantastic client who needs a developer proficient in x'. Looking in Australia/New Zealand
    – Wossname
    Mar 11 '15 at 1:21

















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












I'm wanting to move on from my current position, but I'm very discouraged that the majority of job listings I see in my area (Software/web developer) seem to be from recruitment agencies that give very little info about the company or job. Finding an interesting, stimulating, positive place to work is the most important thing to me.



Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?







share|improve this question
















  • 7




    You're assuming that the recruitment agencies actually have jobs and aren't just putting ads out there to get people into their database.
    – Telastyn
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:29










  • possible duplicate of What are specific ways to learn meaningful information about company culture in interviews?
    – gnat
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:46






  • 1




    Ancient Wisdom: "To find a prince you must kiss ten thousand frogs". Pucker up... :-)
    – Bob Jarvis
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:50










  • There are tons of software job websites that have many, many openings. You don't specify your location, which could help answer your question.
    – Bowen
    Mar 10 '15 at 23:32










  • The problem isn't a lack of openings, it's a lack of any meaningful information about those openings. 80% seem to be 'We have a fantastic client who needs a developer proficient in x'. Looking in Australia/New Zealand
    – Wossname
    Mar 11 '15 at 1:21













up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











I'm wanting to move on from my current position, but I'm very discouraged that the majority of job listings I see in my area (Software/web developer) seem to be from recruitment agencies that give very little info about the company or job. Finding an interesting, stimulating, positive place to work is the most important thing to me.



Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?







share|improve this question












I'm wanting to move on from my current position, but I'm very discouraged that the majority of job listings I see in my area (Software/web developer) seem to be from recruitment agencies that give very little info about the company or job. Finding an interesting, stimulating, positive place to work is the most important thing to me.



Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?









share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Mar 10 '15 at 22:00









Wossname

1163




1163







  • 7




    You're assuming that the recruitment agencies actually have jobs and aren't just putting ads out there to get people into their database.
    – Telastyn
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:29










  • possible duplicate of What are specific ways to learn meaningful information about company culture in interviews?
    – gnat
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:46






  • 1




    Ancient Wisdom: "To find a prince you must kiss ten thousand frogs". Pucker up... :-)
    – Bob Jarvis
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:50










  • There are tons of software job websites that have many, many openings. You don't specify your location, which could help answer your question.
    – Bowen
    Mar 10 '15 at 23:32










  • The problem isn't a lack of openings, it's a lack of any meaningful information about those openings. 80% seem to be 'We have a fantastic client who needs a developer proficient in x'. Looking in Australia/New Zealand
    – Wossname
    Mar 11 '15 at 1:21













  • 7




    You're assuming that the recruitment agencies actually have jobs and aren't just putting ads out there to get people into their database.
    – Telastyn
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:29










  • possible duplicate of What are specific ways to learn meaningful information about company culture in interviews?
    – gnat
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:46






  • 1




    Ancient Wisdom: "To find a prince you must kiss ten thousand frogs". Pucker up... :-)
    – Bob Jarvis
    Mar 10 '15 at 22:50










  • There are tons of software job websites that have many, many openings. You don't specify your location, which could help answer your question.
    – Bowen
    Mar 10 '15 at 23:32










  • The problem isn't a lack of openings, it's a lack of any meaningful information about those openings. 80% seem to be 'We have a fantastic client who needs a developer proficient in x'. Looking in Australia/New Zealand
    – Wossname
    Mar 11 '15 at 1:21








7




7




You're assuming that the recruitment agencies actually have jobs and aren't just putting ads out there to get people into their database.
– Telastyn
Mar 10 '15 at 22:29




You're assuming that the recruitment agencies actually have jobs and aren't just putting ads out there to get people into their database.
– Telastyn
Mar 10 '15 at 22:29












possible duplicate of What are specific ways to learn meaningful information about company culture in interviews?
– gnat
Mar 10 '15 at 22:46




possible duplicate of What are specific ways to learn meaningful information about company culture in interviews?
– gnat
Mar 10 '15 at 22:46




1




1




Ancient Wisdom: "To find a prince you must kiss ten thousand frogs". Pucker up... :-)
– Bob Jarvis
Mar 10 '15 at 22:50




Ancient Wisdom: "To find a prince you must kiss ten thousand frogs". Pucker up... :-)
– Bob Jarvis
Mar 10 '15 at 22:50












There are tons of software job websites that have many, many openings. You don't specify your location, which could help answer your question.
– Bowen
Mar 10 '15 at 23:32




There are tons of software job websites that have many, many openings. You don't specify your location, which could help answer your question.
– Bowen
Mar 10 '15 at 23:32












The problem isn't a lack of openings, it's a lack of any meaningful information about those openings. 80% seem to be 'We have a fantastic client who needs a developer proficient in x'. Looking in Australia/New Zealand
– Wossname
Mar 11 '15 at 1:21





The problem isn't a lack of openings, it's a lack of any meaningful information about those openings. 80% seem to be 'We have a fantastic client who needs a developer proficient in x'. Looking in Australia/New Zealand
– Wossname
Mar 11 '15 at 1:21











3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
1
down vote



accepted










It may be worthwhile to give the recruiters a shot. If you tell them specifically what you are looking for they may be able to find that for you. If any of them brings you interviews for positions that don't meet the established criteria then you know not to deal with the recruiter again as they are unable to follow instructions.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    1
    down vote













    Keep in mind that recruiters are paid to find talented people to fill roles, and they get paid more when they supply the candidate who gets the job. In this way, it is in both of your interests for you to get the job and in my experience recruiters have been instrumental in finding roles Im interested in pursuing.



    Don't be discouraged that job postings are by a recruiting agency, instead apply with the mindset that you're working together to find a position that you'll do well in.






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      1
      down vote














      Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?




      Certainly.



      The best thing you can do to learn how a company works is by asking honest trusted people internal to that company. Linkedin can be a good resource in this regard. Certainly you have college friends or old coworkers who work elsewhere - or who know people who work elsewhere. Send a few nice emails asking about the company in question. You might need to read between the lines, but this can help.



      Glassdoor is also fantastic for this sort of thing. You need to take things with a grain of salt, since a site for anonymous ragging on companies (usually by recently departed employees) is going to paint a pretty terrible picture. But it provides a window into a company. If everyone says that bureaucracy interferes with their day to day work, then it's a pretty safe bet that it is.



      These days, I actively avoid recruiters. Many of the job postings aren't for real jobs - they're for the sort of jobs that the recruiter usually fills, fishing for candidates to populate their database. Many of the rest have very specific requirements because of idiocy or to "fulfill" H1B requirements. They are a waste of time and effort.






      share|improve this answer




















      • I think this is great advice, but not quite for the situation I'm asking about, where the listings don't even say what company the job is for, so there's no opportunity to research them.
        – Wossname
        Mar 11 '15 at 21:14










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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      1
      down vote



      accepted










      It may be worthwhile to give the recruiters a shot. If you tell them specifically what you are looking for they may be able to find that for you. If any of them brings you interviews for positions that don't meet the established criteria then you know not to deal with the recruiter again as they are unable to follow instructions.






      share|improve this answer
























        up vote
        1
        down vote



        accepted










        It may be worthwhile to give the recruiters a shot. If you tell them specifically what you are looking for they may be able to find that for you. If any of them brings you interviews for positions that don't meet the established criteria then you know not to deal with the recruiter again as they are unable to follow instructions.






        share|improve this answer






















          up vote
          1
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          1
          down vote



          accepted






          It may be worthwhile to give the recruiters a shot. If you tell them specifically what you are looking for they may be able to find that for you. If any of them brings you interviews for positions that don't meet the established criteria then you know not to deal with the recruiter again as they are unable to follow instructions.






          share|improve this answer












          It may be worthwhile to give the recruiters a shot. If you tell them specifically what you are looking for they may be able to find that for you. If any of them brings you interviews for positions that don't meet the established criteria then you know not to deal with the recruiter again as they are unable to follow instructions.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Mar 10 '15 at 22:24









          Myles

          25.4k658104




          25.4k658104






















              up vote
              1
              down vote













              Keep in mind that recruiters are paid to find talented people to fill roles, and they get paid more when they supply the candidate who gets the job. In this way, it is in both of your interests for you to get the job and in my experience recruiters have been instrumental in finding roles Im interested in pursuing.



              Don't be discouraged that job postings are by a recruiting agency, instead apply with the mindset that you're working together to find a position that you'll do well in.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                1
                down vote













                Keep in mind that recruiters are paid to find talented people to fill roles, and they get paid more when they supply the candidate who gets the job. In this way, it is in both of your interests for you to get the job and in my experience recruiters have been instrumental in finding roles Im interested in pursuing.



                Don't be discouraged that job postings are by a recruiting agency, instead apply with the mindset that you're working together to find a position that you'll do well in.






                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote









                  Keep in mind that recruiters are paid to find talented people to fill roles, and they get paid more when they supply the candidate who gets the job. In this way, it is in both of your interests for you to get the job and in my experience recruiters have been instrumental in finding roles Im interested in pursuing.



                  Don't be discouraged that job postings are by a recruiting agency, instead apply with the mindset that you're working together to find a position that you'll do well in.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Keep in mind that recruiters are paid to find talented people to fill roles, and they get paid more when they supply the candidate who gets the job. In this way, it is in both of your interests for you to get the job and in my experience recruiters have been instrumental in finding roles Im interested in pursuing.



                  Don't be discouraged that job postings are by a recruiting agency, instead apply with the mindset that you're working together to find a position that you'll do well in.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Mar 11 '15 at 13:28









                  beng

                  13113




                  13113




















                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote














                      Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?




                      Certainly.



                      The best thing you can do to learn how a company works is by asking honest trusted people internal to that company. Linkedin can be a good resource in this regard. Certainly you have college friends or old coworkers who work elsewhere - or who know people who work elsewhere. Send a few nice emails asking about the company in question. You might need to read between the lines, but this can help.



                      Glassdoor is also fantastic for this sort of thing. You need to take things with a grain of salt, since a site for anonymous ragging on companies (usually by recently departed employees) is going to paint a pretty terrible picture. But it provides a window into a company. If everyone says that bureaucracy interferes with their day to day work, then it's a pretty safe bet that it is.



                      These days, I actively avoid recruiters. Many of the job postings aren't for real jobs - they're for the sort of jobs that the recruiter usually fills, fishing for candidates to populate their database. Many of the rest have very specific requirements because of idiocy or to "fulfill" H1B requirements. They are a waste of time and effort.






                      share|improve this answer




















                      • I think this is great advice, but not quite for the situation I'm asking about, where the listings don't even say what company the job is for, so there's no opportunity to research them.
                        – Wossname
                        Mar 11 '15 at 21:14














                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote














                      Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?




                      Certainly.



                      The best thing you can do to learn how a company works is by asking honest trusted people internal to that company. Linkedin can be a good resource in this regard. Certainly you have college friends or old coworkers who work elsewhere - or who know people who work elsewhere. Send a few nice emails asking about the company in question. You might need to read between the lines, but this can help.



                      Glassdoor is also fantastic for this sort of thing. You need to take things with a grain of salt, since a site for anonymous ragging on companies (usually by recently departed employees) is going to paint a pretty terrible picture. But it provides a window into a company. If everyone says that bureaucracy interferes with their day to day work, then it's a pretty safe bet that it is.



                      These days, I actively avoid recruiters. Many of the job postings aren't for real jobs - they're for the sort of jobs that the recruiter usually fills, fishing for candidates to populate their database. Many of the rest have very specific requirements because of idiocy or to "fulfill" H1B requirements. They are a waste of time and effort.






                      share|improve this answer




















                      • I think this is great advice, but not quite for the situation I'm asking about, where the listings don't even say what company the job is for, so there's no opportunity to research them.
                        – Wossname
                        Mar 11 '15 at 21:14












                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote










                      Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?




                      Certainly.



                      The best thing you can do to learn how a company works is by asking honest trusted people internal to that company. Linkedin can be a good resource in this regard. Certainly you have college friends or old coworkers who work elsewhere - or who know people who work elsewhere. Send a few nice emails asking about the company in question. You might need to read between the lines, but this can help.



                      Glassdoor is also fantastic for this sort of thing. You need to take things with a grain of salt, since a site for anonymous ragging on companies (usually by recently departed employees) is going to paint a pretty terrible picture. But it provides a window into a company. If everyone says that bureaucracy interferes with their day to day work, then it's a pretty safe bet that it is.



                      These days, I actively avoid recruiters. Many of the job postings aren't for real jobs - they're for the sort of jobs that the recruiter usually fills, fishing for candidates to populate their database. Many of the rest have very specific requirements because of idiocy or to "fulfill" H1B requirements. They are a waste of time and effort.






                      share|improve this answer













                      Is there anything I can do beyond simply applying for everything, and then finding out later that it's not what I'm after?




                      Certainly.



                      The best thing you can do to learn how a company works is by asking honest trusted people internal to that company. Linkedin can be a good resource in this regard. Certainly you have college friends or old coworkers who work elsewhere - or who know people who work elsewhere. Send a few nice emails asking about the company in question. You might need to read between the lines, but this can help.



                      Glassdoor is also fantastic for this sort of thing. You need to take things with a grain of salt, since a site for anonymous ragging on companies (usually by recently departed employees) is going to paint a pretty terrible picture. But it provides a window into a company. If everyone says that bureaucracy interferes with their day to day work, then it's a pretty safe bet that it is.



                      These days, I actively avoid recruiters. Many of the job postings aren't for real jobs - they're for the sort of jobs that the recruiter usually fills, fishing for candidates to populate their database. Many of the rest have very specific requirements because of idiocy or to "fulfill" H1B requirements. They are a waste of time and effort.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Mar 11 '15 at 15:13









                      Telastyn

                      33.9k977120




                      33.9k977120











                      • I think this is great advice, but not quite for the situation I'm asking about, where the listings don't even say what company the job is for, so there's no opportunity to research them.
                        – Wossname
                        Mar 11 '15 at 21:14
















                      • I think this is great advice, but not quite for the situation I'm asking about, where the listings don't even say what company the job is for, so there's no opportunity to research them.
                        – Wossname
                        Mar 11 '15 at 21:14















                      I think this is great advice, but not quite for the situation I'm asking about, where the listings don't even say what company the job is for, so there's no opportunity to research them.
                      – Wossname
                      Mar 11 '15 at 21:14




                      I think this is great advice, but not quite for the situation I'm asking about, where the listings don't even say what company the job is for, so there's no opportunity to research them.
                      – Wossname
                      Mar 11 '15 at 21:14












                       

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