[flamberge]

The HR personnel are trying to appear to be doing something useful.

...And...

They might be testing trends on pay expectations.

Bingo! By Jove! I think you've got it with those two explanations.

My estimate is that less that 50% of advertised jobs are ever filled. There is no intention of filling them. They are just wage and salary surveys.

I spent way too many years working at "Bigtime Mega Corporation." Saw this kind of stuff at first hand. It has been going on for quite a while.

[HIDEK6]

My estimate is that less that 50% of advertised jobs are ever filled. There is no intention of filling them. They are just wage and salary surveys.

I think you are correct.