Reapplying for a job

JakT

I applied for an admin job at the end of July. My friend works there so I’ve been able to get some insight into the company’s decisions. I was asked to attend an interview but didn’t get the job. I thought it went well though and I was well qualified. I emailed to ask for feedback and what to improve on as this was only my second interview. This was her reply:

“Thank you for your email. In regards to both your application and your interview we felt that you did very well. You came across clearly with a good balance of professionalism, discussing previous work experience, and personality, so we could get to know a little about you as a person. Going forward I would suggest that you don’t really need to change anything – keep going as you are. It is just that, on this occasion, we decided not to select you.”

As you can see this is very positive and they gave me no real explanation as to why I didn’t get the job. Speaking to my friend about it they seem to pick people based on having a small-talky personality - they want someone who’s going to be able to fit in well the rest of the team’s chitchat (think stereotypical hairdresser). Sorry, but that’s the easiest way I can put it, and of course that’s only my friend’s speculation.

The girl who got the job has left, probably because she didn’t think it was for her. The advert has been put up again with the message ‘previous applicants need not apply’. I understand that this usually means ‘don’t bother’. But seeing as my feedback was so positive do you think I should do anything? Since the interview I’ve had a month’s experience answering phones, data entry, etc. which is the kind of thing they’re looking for. If so, what would you suggest? Redo my CV and reapply? Send an email inquiring about it to let them know that I’m interested? Seeing as it’s been such a short time since the first interview, I could make the email more a cover letter and highlight some of the things I could draw on from my previous job, instead of pretty much redoing the application with the same information. Thanks for your help.

scheming_gypsy

as it was so soon since the interview, if you'd made an impression they could contact you to see if you were still available / interested. If it was me I'd take the need not apply, to mean exactly that.

Beachview_2

I don't think your CV would really need redoing, if it was good enough to get you an interview before. It seems they're after this chatty personality you mentioned. Its hard to know whether to reapply or not, as you might be wasting your time and getting disappointed when they don't interview you this time. On the other hand, you've nothing to lose, so maybe you might as well apply.

From my own experience or having an interview somewhere, then reapplying for other vacancies later, even having improved my cv and having more experience, I think that the HR person just sees my name and throws my application in the bin pile, "we interviewed that person before so we don't want to interview them again".

AP007

If you have not been selected after an interview then Id say no do not re apply and as per the advert no previous applicants.

If you had done so well you would have got the job to be fair. They have made the mistake and taken on the wrong person who couldn't possibly do the job.

Are you working now op?

Going4TheDream

Companies in the main look for 3 things, can you do the job, will you do the job and fit , will you fit in. Most companies say 'previous applicants need not apply' for a reason, and harsh as it may sound mainly that reason is that previous applicants didn't tick all the boxes.

Personally I would take the attitude that its their loss and move on. You may not have been right for their company but you will be right for someone elses

AP007

Going4TheDream wrote: »

Companies in the main look for 3 things, can you do the job, will you do the job and fit , will you fit in. Most companies say 'previous applicants need not apply' for a reason, and harsh as it may sound mainly that reason is that previous applicants didn't tick all the boxes.

Personally I would take the attitude that its their loss and move on. You may not have been right for their company but you will be right for someone elses

I believe their loss too. Many years ago I was interviewed for a job where I thought it went badly and I never got it as they told the agency 'I had too much experience' then 3 months later the agency called me and said would I go for a 2nd interview as the girl they took on was leaving as she couldn't do the job. I told the agency I was not 2nd best and they had their chance so tell them no

Galaxy1987

I used to put that in my ads, but I done it because I would relook at previous applications and include them in the short listing. Sometimes there is that person who gets the by a small margin. I once interviewed a guy 3 times before he got a job and it was just that there was someone more qualified, experienced or answered a bit better.

J

Missme

All that will happen if you do reapply and they don't want you is that they won't interview you.

If your earlier application was sufficient to gain an interview, it will be so if you reapply. That is assuming 300 better qualified people don't apply.

Re-apply.

Valli

Nothing ventured; nothing gained.

If you are keen to work there include, in your letter, that you were impressed by (something?) and you would appreciate their considering you as a potential candidate.

Denning.

Go for it, nothing to lose.

theoretica

I I wonder if there is milleage in writing another letter, equivalent of a cover letter, saying you are still available, keen to work for them and... and hope for brownie points for not actually reapplying.

Unfortunately it has not been long since your interview and my work would probably have called the 2nd running candidate if they wanted to appoint him or her and spared the expense of advertising and new interviews.