Why that job listing got reposted—and why now is the right time to apply

When you’re on the hunt for a new job, it’s surprisingly easy to find reposted listings for positions that already had hundreds of applicants.?

Don’t be deterred. When a job is reposted like this, it could be your time to strike .?

Most of the time when a role gets reposted, it means the selection process has run its course and no viable candidate has been selected, writes Forbes contributor James Hudson. Recruiters who are on top of things will keep their pipeline filled in order to avoid this “back to square one” situation, but in a difficult market with a lot of jobs available and only so many recruiters, repostings are becoming more common.

And that could mean it’s the right time to apply. Job postings receive the largest volume of applicants in the first 48 hours, so delaying decreases the likelihood of your résumé even being seen. Plus, if a job is being reposted, there could be a greater sense of urgency this time around to find the right candidate, so the process might move along quickly.

Another important thing to note is that you shouldn’t be discouraged from throwing your hat into the ring if you see that a job has a high number of candidates. Often, the number of “applicants” you see on the job boards simply counts the number of people who clicked on the apply button, not the total who finished the application process. And the gap between those who hit “apply” and the number of people who actually complete their applications can be enormous.

In fact, at one of the large companies where Hudson (an HR executive) previously worked, they found that for every 100 people who hit apply, they only received one completed application. So, seeing that a job has 500+ applicants might not mean what you think it does.

Put simply: Keep an eye on when new job listings are posted (or reposted), apply in a timely manner and don’t be intimidated by the number of applicants listed. Searching for a new job can be a stressful process, but using these tips might help give your application a leg up.

Read the full story: Why job listings get reposted—and why you should apply to them anyway

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Practical advice: How to overcome underemployment in your career

If it’s been a year and you don’t have anything to update on your résumé, you’re likely underemployed, writes contributor Caroline Ceniza-Levine. Work should be challenging—not the point of burnout, but to a degree that encourages you to keep learning and bettering your skills. If you think you are underemployed, here are three ways to turn things around:

1. Ongoing learning development: Talk to your manager about stretch opportunities for your current position. Or, build your own career advancement plan.
2. A side hustle or volunteering: If there are aspects of your job that you don’t want to give up, seeking out a side hustle or volunteer opportunities can help you build skills outside of your 9-to-5.
3. Job change: If you truly enjoy the company you work for, seek out other opportunities for promotion or even a lateral move that would better utilize your talents. If that’s not possible, it’s time to start a broader search.

Read the full story: How to overcome underemployment in your career

Driving success: How this professional hacker built two cybersecurity firms in his 30s

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• What To Do When You Feel Your Boss Is Setting You Up For Failure
• How Managers Can Do A Better Job Sharing The Bad News About Layoffs

Calling all success seekers:?

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Thank you for reading! We'll be back Thursday with another edition of Forbes Edge.?

This edition of Forbes Edge was written and curated by associate editor Chris Dobstaff .?