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- The idiom goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
- But when it comes to applying for jobs at any one employer, how many tries are too many?
- We asked experts for their advice on applying to jobs at an organization that has rejected you before.
You may have seen some version of this job success story plastered on LinkedIn before: Someone landed a job on their umpteenth try with the particular company, unfazed by many prior rejections there.
The rules of applying for a job somewhere are a little different during the second — third, or sixth — time around if the employer has previously rejected or not offered to interview (or, God forbid, ghosted) you.
We asked career and recruiting experts for their advice on reapplying to a company. Here’s what they said:
Consider how much is too much
In the success stories, a candidate’s repeated applications someplace always reflect a dedication to the organization’s mission. But they can also come across in a less desirable way depending on how or what you are applying for.
“When a recruiter or hiring manager sees you have applied to multiple roles for one company, especially roles that are all very different, it can raise concerns that you may lack a clear focus or are just looking for any job,” says Indeed career trends expert Gabby Davis. “Employers may wonder about your commitment or suitability for specific roles.”
Davis notes it’s “generally not recommended to apply to the same employer more than twice for the same position if you’ve been rejected or received no response, especially if your qualifications have not changed.”
Focus on new skills and experience
You should consider reapplying somewhere, however, “if you’ve significantly improved your skills, expanded your portfolio, or built sufficient relationships within the company,” says Cynthia Pong, an executive coach, speaker, and founder of career coaching and training firm Embrace Change.
Some employers have guidelines around how soon you can reapply after being rejected, notes Farah Sharghi, a career coach and strategist and former tech recruiter. Sharghi advises waiting at least 3 to 6 months after being rejected to reapply unless the company explicitly invites you to apply for other roles.
When you do reapply, make sure to tweak your application materials from what you submitted before so they reflect how you’ve learned and grown.
“Be sure to emphasize new skills, experiences, or achievements since your last application,” says Pong.
Emphasize your interest in the employer
If you’re offered an interview, “be honest and frame it positively,” says Sharghi.
One script Sharghi suggests: “Yes, I’ve applied to a few positions here because I’m genuinely excited about the company’s mission and culture. Each role I’ve applied for aligns with my skills and career goals in different ways. For this specific position, I’m particularly interested because [mention specific aspects of the job that appeal to you].”
Besides focusing on what new skills you bring to the table now, and honing in on your interest in the company, much of the rest of the application process is what you’re used to, whether it’s your first time applying to the company or not.
As always, Pong says, “The goal here is to showcase your adaptability, growth, and sincere interest in contributing to the organization.”
