Reapplying for a Job After Rejection

You've found your dream job at your dream company. You apply. Maybe you even land an interview. What you don't land is the job.

Does this mean you'll never be an employee at The Company of Your Dreams, Inc.? Far from it. Too many job seekers react to a single rejection by crossing that employer off their list when, in fact, having been passed over once might actually give you an advantage as you reapply in the future.

So, how can you turn today's no into tomorrow's yes?

Knowledge Is Power

Just because you were rejected from a job, doesn't mean you didn't come close to landing it. In fact, if you received a form letter -- or your phone simply didn't ring -- you may never know. So, it's time to be bold. Call up the hiring manager or someone you interviewed with and ask for some insight as to why you weren't the best fit for the position. Perhaps you were lacking a specific skill. Maybe you need additional experience. You might even find out they filled the position internally, which isn't a reflection on your abilities at all. If you never got a response you may find out that they never received your resume in the first place.

Next, follow up with someone in the human resources department as to the company's policies on reapplying. Stress your interest in building your career there. Ask if the position is still available and how you might learn of similar openings now and in the future.

Finally, use the knowledge you have of the company to assess your performance and evaluate how well you fit in with the company's culture. Combine this information with what you learn from the hiring manager to decide if you need additional training and/or experience. Maybe you just need to polish your interview skills or dress and speak more like a company employee.

Persistence Can Pay Off

Did you interview with more than one person? Were you referred to the company through a friend or a member of your network? Contact anyone you know or with whom you had a rapport and pick their brains about the company, additional opportunities and what you could have done to improve your performance or skills.

Work to incorporate these folks into your network by finding ways to help them with their careers and professional development. Pass along a pertinent article or business contact. Invite them to lunch or another social-yet-professional event on occasion. Keep in contact with each on a consistent yet not-too-frequent basis. Make sure they're all aware of your abilities and aspirations. If they're not, ask them to review your resume. This will ensure that they'll think of you when they hear of appropriate openings at the company.

Avoid Being a Pest

While you want everyone and anyone to know of your desire to work for a company, you must avoid looking desperate -- and you must avoid being annoying.
Do not apply for jobs within the company that you're not interested in or remotely qualified for. Hiring managers and human resources professionals will stop considering you for positions for which you are a good fit if they think you aren't taking the process seriously.

However much you wish to work for The Company of Your Dreams, Inc., remember to apply for other jobs at other companies. You can't neglect your career or your bank account while waiting for the ideal opening to become available. More experience will make you more attractive to most employers.

And in the End ...

However many times you reapply at a company, improve your follow-up performance at each instance. Call a few weeks after submitting your resume to make sure it is in the right hands. Send thank-you notes to everyone who interviews you or tells you of an opening.

Keep tabs on personnel changes at the company to the best of your ability. If one hiring manager or supervisor didn't hire you, he or she could leave the company or move to another department. Human resources professionals who may have written you off may have moved on to a different organization altogether.

If you believe at any time that you're being treated unfairly by a company, cross it off your list and don't look back. You don't want to work for any business that might mistreat you.