- Guest Contributor
- April 20, 2021
It happens to the best of us. You think you’ve found your dream job. Then you apply to an available position with more enthusiasm than you knew you had and then… it just doesn’t work out. You didn’t get the job. That’s where this particular story ends, right?
Not necessarily!
A lot of people don’t realize that sometimes you can easily reapply to a job, even if you didn’t get it the first time around. There’s just a few key things you’ll need to keep in mind. If you’re applying again, you should think about why you may not have been chosen in the first place. Then, show that you’ve built off of that area of opportunity and are ready to perform.
Think About Why You Might Not Have Been Chosen
First, think about WHY you may have been overlooked for that position the last time around. For example – do you have the right experience that they’re looking for? If not, try upskilling to make yourself a better candidate before applying again. Let them know that you understand where you came up short and have made a meaningful effort to fix it.
Determine if There Has Been a Change Since Your Application
Was it a matter of your schedule not matching the job’s needs? Not being able to work each shift could have definitely impacted the hiring manager’s decision. If something about your personal situation has changed and you can now commit to the job, definitely try applying again. If whatever was making it impossible for you to meet the desired schedule the last time is still in effect, it’s like nothing has changed at all – meaning that you’ll probably want to avoid sending in your resume or application again.
Maybe you weren’t chosen because you didn’t have enough experience or the right skillset. If you’ve taken classes or gained relevant experience since you last applied, make sure to let them know.
Consider How Things Last Left Off
Lastly, examine whether or not you are still in good standing with the company. We recommend reapplying only if you left things on good terms. If you were removed from a shift or just quit, it’s probably not the best idea.
In the end, the important thing to keep in mind is that all hope is not lost. It is entirely possible to reapply for (and get!) a job even if you didn’t get hired the first time. You just need to make sure you approach the situation from exactly the right angle and you’ll do fine.
About the Author: Stephen Lilley earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. Over the last decade as a professional writer he has written more than 15,000 unique pieces of content in areas ranging from entertainment to technology to finance, real estate and more.
