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Question

A few months ago I applied for a great job.  I interviewed with the hiring committee and the VPHR.  I read the non-verbal and verbal cues that strongly indicated that I was highly qualified.   I was told a decision would be made near the holidays and still no word yet.  I followed up with the VPHR twice and was told by the VPHR (the hiring manager) that the role is still open.  The job no longer exists on their website and now there is a new role ... similiar but different job title and very much the same job description.  Should I reapply with a letter explaining why I am applying (same job description/don't want to be disqualified from role based on jd)?  What do you think?

Jillian Post · Answer

I’m in a field that could be called “peace work” or conflict resolution. There is an organization called PCDN and recently they interviewed someone for a podcast.  This person was trying to enter the field after graduation - non-traditional field and had been an older, non traditional student - and was having a difficult time. The focus of his conversation was just this subject - the terrible etiquete/ghosting/lack of dignity for job seekers. He (only half jokingly) suggested a job seekers bill of rights. I agreed with everything he said - a rarity for me. It’s just ridiculous what we go through. The prep time (as in research), the personal prep time (as in spending money on personal care services), the commute to get there, the actual interviewing, the waiting, the psychological toll ... and many if not most, can’t be bothered to let us know.  Yes, we get it, there are hundreds, if not a thousand or more applicants, but if you get an interview of any kind, you deserve some information. Recently, I went on an interview and did well and then received notice that they couldn’t decide what they really wanted so they were closing the applications without hiring anybody. (If they hadn’t chosen me, I believe they would have just disclosed that instead). Really? How many candidates spent hours preparing themselves? 
Everybody says the economy is strong and employment low  ... this is a misnomer. Wages are pathetic for all but the top which means most folks who live in high cost of living parts of the country have more than one (often more than two) jobs if they are striving to actually have a life instead of roommates or living with their parents. There is something terribly wrong with our economy and nobody wants to talk about it.

As far as hearing back, here is my take, I believe the flood of young applicants who expect no accountability,  has lowered the standard for what organizations think they must offer candidates who are extended an interview.  Our culture keeps getting less kind and more competitive ... and it’s making us sick.

Carolyn Fields · Answer

My advice - no, do not reapply without geting clarification. Since you have contact information for the VPHR, I would follow-up again with this person and describe to her/him exactly what you just expressed in your question. Ask if it's the same job, or a different one. Ask if you should apply again, or if you are being considered for the newly titled role. Ask when a decision will be made.
Sometimes internal reorganizations change job titles, and the people inside the organization are scrambling for a while. Giving them the benefit of the doubt here.
I went from Management Training Coordinator to Training and Development Facilitator, to . . . can't recall all of the job title changes. You get my drift.
Good luck to you. Post an update if you get a chance. I'm sure I speak for others in wanting to know how this turns out.

JENN O'TOOL · Answer

You have received some great advice from others, and I agree that you should not reapply without getting some clarification from the VPHR or recruiters you have already interviewed with.  I found myself in the same situation several months ago - solid phone interviews with the VPHR and CHRO followed by a trip to Seattle to interview with the rest of the HR team and Business partners (over the course of 2 days).  I was fully expecting an offer based on all prior conversations, an it was crickets until I reached out over a week later, when the recruiter assured me she would get the VPHR moving on the offer.  After another week passes I reach out to VP and recruiter and crickets...FInally reached out to CHRO and found out they were continuing to review the role and look at other candidates.  Currently the role is still posted.

Bottom line - sometimes companies/hiring managers want a candidate that fits some perfect unattainable mold, or they really don't know what they want, or they are just playing around with options.  Sounds like you are also in the HR space, and unfortunately, if these challenges exist in that function in an organization - you may be dodging a bullet.  It may have seemed like the perfect job - but I see red flags.

Like others - would love to know what happens...

Cautious · Answer

I would not apply again.  This org has your resume, application, etc. still on file.  I have no idea what happened with them about the position you applied for , but no matter what they sound very un-together.  It’s a red flag.

Mona Yaeger · Answer

Hi I agree with Focused406459. I would reach out to the VPHR to ask those questions. I would also check out their Glass Door employee reviews; maybe they have done this before to someone who worked there. You want to make sure this is also the right fit for you and your career. Keep us posted, I'm also interested to know what happened.

Renee Radcliff Sinclair · Answer

Sometimes when a company posts a job and they don't get the right candidate, they will choose to rework the job title and / or job description and put it out there again.  If you want to apply again, do it -- but do it differently to make yourself stand out.  Freshen up your cover letter and resume to focus on the things they say they are looking for.  If you get another interview, be thinking about the questions you can ask that indicate you have a very strong understanding of the job, the company, and your role in helping them meet their mission.  Be thinking about stories you can share that show you understand their needs.  And, this is key, you can let them know you applied before and that you have re-applied because you really want to work there and you believe you are a strong fit for the advertised role.  Stay upbeat, avoid getting defensive, and recognize that things can be very fluid in the corporate environment.  Hold on to your enthusiasm -- the right fit is out there, both for you and the company!

Emily Morgan · Answer

I had something similar happen with two (!!) jobs I applied for recently, one of which had a 4 hour exam I had to take (which I passed, and still didn't get the job) and the other required me to build a PowerPoint presentation. Both jobs took weeks to get back to me, and both passed on me. Now both jobs are still listed as open on Indeed and LinkedIn.

I reapplied to the first one and reached out to the recruiter for the second...no response whatsoever. I really liked both jobs but I don't think I want to work for people who can't communicate, or even respond with, 'sorry, no, we don't think you should reapply for this position.'

But something that helped me a lot was when another FGB member told me that sometimes they repost jobs b/c of changes of personnel, they didn't actually have the budget for that position and now they do, someone didn't work out, etc. She also told me that sometimes companies post the job publicly even though they've already decided to hire someone internally (which has also happened to me).

Don't lose heart!

Courtney LaTurner · Answer

Hi - I'll chime in and give some of my perspective as something similar has happened to me recently. And as someone who works in HR, I would absolutely not let happen to one of our candidates. If this company has not hired you yet, they are not going to. I would not reapply. The way your entire interview process has gone should be a sign to you that this is not a company you want to be a part of.  This ghosting culture as it relates to job applicants infuriates me, and I am so sorry this happened to you. But I would move on - there are better companies out there and you probably dodged a bullet.

Anonymous · Answer

I would not take it personal. Looks like they have some structural changes going on that you may not now about. Maybe they re-evaluated the role and decided more was needed or that you would be reporting to someone else. Maybe something is going on with that VP. I would do some intelligence work with the recruiter, be super nice and ask her if you should reapply for the role. Super important that you are nice to that recruiter to get the full scoop.

Anonymous · Answer

How did the job title change? Does it sound more junior or senior now? Did they change the years of experience required or make any changes at all to the req?

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