To Reach out about a potential job, or not

Anonymous

January 14,2023 at 10:16PM UTC

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To Reach out about a potential job, or not

I applied for a job in different but closely related field to my current one in October 2022. I landed an immediate interview that I felt went fairly well. I was told "we're glad you applied for the position."

I'm highly qualified for the position. The current person in the role worked in my current role, before making the same transition. I know I have the skill to perform the job and exceed expectations. It pays better, has better overall hours and is closer to my home.

Three weeks later, after the interviewed candidates were presented to panel for review and hiring choice -- I was informed "you were not selected for the job" in mid-November 2022.

As of two days ago, the job opening has been reposted.

I have to believe there's a few possibilities with likely options being: (1) they never found a desirable candidate and waited until after the holidays to relaunch their search (2) their desired candidate didn't accept the job or (3) They hired someone who within the 30-day trial period didn't work out.

My question is: Would it be awkward for me to reach out and inquire about the job being reposted, and tentatively express I may still be interested?

Or should I accept the rejection and let it be?

I am in third round interviews for another job that while it could be fascinating for my career -- this one pays better, is closer to home and likely has a more desirable work schedule.

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AnonymousJanuary 14,2023 at 10:38PM UTC
I wouldn't worry about awkwardness. I would definitely reach out and remind tge panel of interviewers that you are still very interested and maybe remind them if your years of experience. There is absolutely nothing inappropriate about reaching out.
AnonymousJanuary 15,2023 at 6:52AM UTC
is my field the only one where this would be viewed as annoying?
AnonymousJanuary 14,2023 at 11:50PM UTC
I would definitely reapply... if at first you don't succeed ,try try again. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
AnonymousJanuary 15,2023 at 1:24AM UTC
While it’s certainly not inappropriate to reach out, my feeling is that if they were genuinely interested in pursuing you as a candidate, they would have been in touch.
AnonymousJanuary 15,2023 at 6:44AM UTC
they found their candidate, or had a plan b go into effect. I had this happen in October, went from we're working on scheduling and congrats moving to the interview stage, to sorry we're going with another candidate.
Jessica FerlandJanuary 15,2023 at 12:02PM UTC
Absolutes reach out. You could also ask for feedback, which could help you understand things better.
Melissa NobileJanuary 15,2023 at 1:40PM UTC
Reapply. It could be that their first choice didn’t work out. You’ve got nothing to lose.
Erica MitchellJanuary 15,2023 at 1:45PM UTC
I agree with Melissa. You could definitely reapply. I've applied to a job 3 times within a 6 month period. The worst that can happen is they say no again and if that's the case, it just wasn't meant to be.
Ally MorganJanuary 15,2023 at 1:52PM UTC
A few years back, I was obsessed with getting a certain job. I applied for it maybe 3 times and interviewed for it twice based on 2 of the different applications that I submitted. I did NOT get the job. Ha! I look back now with gratitude! That was a dead end crappy job that I was overqualified for. I say apply again if you feel determined (I don't regret it), but sometimes the universe knows things that we don't. Maybe that's not your job?
Ruth RobbinsJanuary 15,2023 at 1:53PM UTC
Yes. Let them know you are speaking to other companies ( that’s usually catnip to hiring teams because it makes you look like a desirable commodity) But that you continue to be fascinated by the company and the opportunity they’ve posted. You’d like to throw your hat in the ring and know that it would be a win win if you meet again to discuss the opening. What’s the harm? The worst they can do is ignore your application. The more things you have going the better is my opinion.
Debra SesholtzJanuary 15,2023 at 11:35PM UTC
If you’re still interested in the role, you should reach out and express your interest.
AnonymousJanuary 16,2023 at 12:12AM UTC
My last job I applied to my three times. All they had was part-time the first time, and I needed benefits. The second time was the same issue. Then two years later, they reached out to me with an expansion plan and multiple part-time positions they were willing to combine and make me full-time. The third time, for me, WAS a charm. I worked for them for eight years before I retired. Think of it this way, what's the worst thing that could happen if you apply again? They either don't respond to your application, or you don't get hired again. You're no worse off than now. My vote is to go for it since it is something you REALLY want.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 16,2023 at 3:29AM UTC
If you're still interested, I don't see what you have to lose by reaching out.
What can they say? No? If you don't reach out, it's already a no.
But keep your foot on the gas in your job search. Never let up until you have a written offer letter in hand.
AnonymousJanuary 16,2023 at 3:27PM UTC
Should certainly consider reapplying. I would recommend checking to see if anything about the position has substantially changed. Sometimes that happens as companies rethink what they want in a candidate, the job itself, or from a business position. As a hiring manager, I have found at times that what I started out my search for may not be what I eventually selected because my employers' changed direction, budget, or organizational strategies. Best of luck on your search journey.
AnonymousJanuary 16,2023 at 6:15PM UTC
Most companies use an ATS - applicant tracking system that will not allow you to reapply within 6-12 months of the original application- you won't get a rejection note it will just combine the old and new applications. Reach out to the person with whom you had the best connection directly in an email (preferrably the hiring manager) and if they respond then ask if you would be reconsidered. If no reply, let it go.
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterJanuary 16,2023 at 6:20PM UTC
There is no downside to reaching out and expressing continued interest in the role - go for it!
GirlBossanova934974January 17,2023 at 1:17PM UTC
I wouldn't waste any more time with this company. Sounds like a bunch of "office politics" going on. In my viewpoint, somebody liked some of the original slate of candidates. That was you and maybe others as well. Then they all got together and someone else shot down the entire list of candidates a few weeks later for reasons unknown. It is possible that they realized they didn't have the budget or they were asking for too much and couldn't afford what was being asked for. Then the hiring manager came along in early JAN and told the whole bunch that he or she still needed to get the work done aka get somebody hired very shortly. So then the whole bunch went running down to HR and got the job reposted. Start over. Productive managers and companies don't have time to issue, take down, and reissue job requisitions in 60 days. Too much time wasting going on here.
AnonymousJanuary 17,2023 at 2:00PM UTC
Move on. If they told you you weren't selected, that's it. Consider this experience for the next thing which comes your way.
Shelly EdwardsJanuary 17,2023 at 2:05PM UTC
I would move on. If they rejected you once, they had their reasons and those reasons haven’t changed. If they wanted to reconsider you, they would reach out. They have your resume and have already interviewed you. They know what you offer.
RichJanuary 17,2023 at 4:39PM UTC
Shelly, you are right, but I also disagree with your conclusion.. You are making an assumption; "those reasons haven't changed." They might have changed. Very commonly, starting in the new year, there is a new budget and they are now hiring, perhaps a 2nd person for the same role.
But, the old line, "We'll keep your application on file," is a lie in nearly every case. That's because recruiters assume that all job seekers are also applying to other firms, and may have landed another job already. They avoid getting into a bidding war by not looking at those they already turned down. In my experience (25+ years as a hiring manager), they only went back through the applications on file if they were truly desperate, or if someone really, really stood out from the crowd but wasn't hired for reasons beyond their control. (The budget got cut, or the CEO's nephew needed a job, etc...)
But, I would reach out to your contacts there first, to find out what's happening, before re-applying.
Meanwhile Shelly, you are also right. Never stop looking for another job. In fact, your goal should be to get two job offers at once. Not only does that give you negotiating leverage that you cannot fake, it also means each interview will matter less, because you have another one lined up. Therefore you will be much more relaxed, and will interview better, and be more likely to land the job.
The most common mistake I see when I counsel job seekers is that when people have a great interview, they stop looking at other possible jobs. They think that they've landed. In fact, typically they wait with increasing anxiety for five weeks before they resume their job search! When someone asks me "How long should I wait after a great interview before I start looking again?" My answer is "10 minutes. You can stop looking for another job when you are sitting in their office filling out your new contract, W-4, and I-9. Not before."
So Shelly, you're right. Move On! BUT, just don't slam the door behind you. There might still be something there.
Erika KlicsJanuary 17,2023 at 2:51PM UTC
I wouldn't reapply, but I would reach out to your main contact there and ask if they'd be open to revisiting. The key is always to think about what they might care about. Was there a question they asked back in November you can reflect on and expand on? Can you tie anything you've done or learned recently back to the role? Every email you send is an opportunity to add value and build a relationship with them.
Worse that happens...They don't respond at all, right?
AngieJanuary 17,2023 at 3:29PM UTC
I would apply. Timing is a critical factor in interviewing. It is possible you were a close second. However, if you do not get an interview then that is your answer.
Meghan BJanuary 17,2023 at 3:47PM UTC
This definitely depends on the culture and the organization. I was in a situation at one organization where the job I really wanted got posted, and I didn't get it (and I was very qualified for it) and then the job just below it organizationally was posted. When I applied for that, the internal recruiter emailed me and told me to quit applying for positions in that department, they had my information and if they were interested, they would reach out. My "persistence" (2 applications? really?) burned a bridge with that department.
Joann S. LublinJanuary 17,2023 at 4:03PM UTC
I agree you should reapply but would take one additional step before doing so: reach out to the outside agency or executive recruitment firm involved with this assignment. If the company didn't use one, connect with alums of the company to get a better sense of its culture -- and how you should interpret your turndown. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!
AnonymousJanuary 17,2023 at 8:44PM UTC
They made their decision on your candidacy. I would move on.
Farah BajwaJanuary 17,2023 at 10:54PM UTC
Similar positions can open under similar job req numbers, and there could be more than one. Also, we don't know how much of the interview information is saved if they had to reopen a req. Maybe to reopen the system deleted all the historical information...
If you are really interested in the position and your experience didn't deter you or put a bad taste in your mouth, go for it! reach out and say you noticed it was reposted. The worst they can say is no, and the best is they'll see your enthusiasm about the position. You don't have anything to loose either way from what I can tell. Good luck!