I recently saw that a job I'd applied for and was passed over is now open again.

14 Comments

1. Barb HansenJanuary 17,2023 at 3:44PM UTC

   I would approach this issue as an opportunity to learn.

   Ask the art director to give you feedback on why you weren't hired.

   If you can, invite the art director out for lunch/coffee so the meeting seems more like peers meeting to discuss careers vs. an hiring manager talking to a potential hire.

   If it was an oversight (your resume got lost in the wires or you didn't get past the HR gate-keeper), this will give you an opportunity to talk about your desire to get hired by this company.

   If you weren't hired for a particular reason, you'll get the feedback that you need to move your career forward.

   Good luck!

2. AnonymousJanuary 17,2023 at 5:05PM UTC

   Evidently you were not what she is looking for. I eiuld enquire what your application was lacking.

3. AnonymousJanuary 17,2023 at 6:30PM UTC

   Apply again. If you can handle the possibility of rejection. Sometimes requirements shift. And then sometimes recruiters just blanket messages. It's lazy on their part and very old school. I responded to a LinkedIn message and was told in about a two minute turnaround that the job had an offer out!!! Wtf! Wasted my time for sure. I'll be less responsive next time this person reaches out.

4. Hilary GrayJanuary 19,2023 at 1:54PM UTC

   You can say you are still interested and let her know that you've been working on some competencies that the role calls for. Not sure I'd bring the husband's name into it.

5. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 2:10PM UTC

   As a recruiter, I can tell you what does happen sometimes.

   budget cuts came down, someone started the job and then quit, someone accepted the job, and then reneged, someone they hired didn’t work out, and other internal drama occurs in corporations that would boggle one’s mine. Unless you’ve experienced it like I have apply again. It can’t hurt.

6. Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)January 19,2023 at 2:31PM UTC

   No harm in re-applying

7. Kim PfeifferJanuary 19,2023 at 2:48PM UTC

   Just do it

8. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 2:55PM UTC

   I would keep it all business, as hiring a 'friend of' often isn't a fair place to put anyone. If you were able to interview before did you ask for feedback on what you needed to work on to be ready for a possible future opening? If not, you need to look at what you didn't have before. Also, interviewing skills may need to be worked on/tweeked. Reapply, PLEASE update resume and that it speaks to the position. you don't have to check off ALL of the boxes of what it takes but be able to speak on it, ie program you may not have used but learn about it and informed.

9. Rebecca MillikenJanuary 19,2023 at 3:12PM UTC

   For the first question, just tell her you're interested and give her your resume. If you are passed over again you'll know there was a reason you weren't hired the first time.

   For the second question, don't bring that up at all. She already knows you're her husband's pal. Mentioning it just makes things awkward and makes it seem like you expect some kind of special treatment. The fact that you and he are friends is not relevant in the least.

10. Julie EJanuary 19,2023 at 5:25PM UTC

    Reapply and don’t mention that you’re a friend of her husband. That might be the reason you weren’t hired the first time. It’s harder to be objective with an employee when there’s a personal connection. Plus when I was married I was always skeptical of women who said they were friends with my husband but I had good reason to be as my suspicions were confirmed when we divorced. Point though, personal and business can be messy.

11. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 5:30PM UTC

    Reapply, and unless her husband has shared the friendship with you with her don't use that as a point of reference at all. In an art role you're either what they want and the style that they want or you are not. If you're not the one ask for true feedback about the why and perhaps you can adjust your portfolio for the next time they have an open position.

12. Laura BrennanJanuary 19,2023 at 7:00PM UTC

    As others have said, don't mention the husband. It's not pertinent.

    As for the job, I would absolutely let her know you were still interested. I don't know that I would hand her a resume, however. Is it possible to go up to her and have a conversation? Something like, "I saw that the *** position opened up again. I'm still very interested in it. I'd love to apply; is there anything I should make sure to highlight?" Get her talking about it in terms of what you do well, not what you're lacking.

    If she mentions that you are lacking in a particular skill, THANK HER IMMEDIATELY. "Wow, that is great information for me to have, thank you." Then go off and start getting whatever skill it is you don't have. You may not complete the certification/get the mastery/whatever of it before the job is filled again; that doesn't matter. What matters is that you reach back out to her once you are enrolled in the program (or whatever) -- in about two weeks, that's a good amount of time -- you reach back out to her to thank her again for her advice and let her know you have taken steps to get it, because it will be important for your career. Right? Not to get the job, don't put that on it, but to help you long-term in your career.

    You have already seen that the job can be filled and reopen again in a matter of months. Some studies say this happens to as many as 30% of all newly-filled jobs. So you want to be the first person she thinks of next time if she doesn't think you're ready to handle it this time.

    Remember to start with a conversation around what you do well, what you should highlight. Genuine enthusiasm for the department/position can't be faked and is very engaging; I assume you already have that. You may already be what they're looking for. But if not, a simple "What can I do to improve?" PLUS actually doing the thing and reporting back with thanks (NO ASK, just a thank you for the opportunity to grow) can work magic.

    Good luck!

13. ChrishoggJanuary 19,2023 at 8:14PM UTC

    You were apparently not qualified for the job the first time around.

    What has substantially changed, since then ... what new skills, experience, or knowledge have you gained since the first time around?

    If the answer to this question is *none* and if the last go around was within the past 6-9 months, you can certainly approach the person and express an interest in the position ... but I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for an answer.

14. AnonymousJanuary 20,2023 at 2:17PM UTC

    There's no harm in reapplying. But perhaps your friendship with the husband is an issue. Not saying that you are romantically involved with the husband but sometimes "already developed" personal friendships can overly complicate a work environment.

    Since you asked; I say look elsewhere. You might be opening what can turn into a can of worms.