If jobseekers should consider reapplying for a job after it has been reposted

You’ve spotted that great job you’d already applied for has been readvertised. Should you send your application in again? Here’s what recruiters advise.

CAREERS’ panel of expert recruiters answers a reader’s question each week. Have a question? Email [e-mail]

I’ve seen a role that I applied for readvertised. Should I apply again?

Justin Hinora

Executive consultant,

Hender Consulting

The short and best answer is to call the contact person and ask the question. If you were interviewed and provided with detailed feedback as to why you were unsuccessful the first time, and the brief or scope of the role doesn’t appear to have changed, then best not to reapply. However, if you were not interviewed and firmly believe that you would be a competitive candidate, then ensure you tailor a very specific cover letter that highlights your transferable skills and experience and reapply. It can’t hurt.

Justin Hinora says it can’t hurt to approach the hiring manager again.

Andrew Sullivan

Managing director,

Sullivan Consulting

There can be many reasons why a role is readvertised. For example, the candidate who was offered the position may have withdrawn their application, or the company was unable to find a suitable candidate from the first round of applicants, or the scope of the position has changed and therefore the job needs to be relisted to reflect those changes. Whichever the reason, I would call the employer/recruiter to determine the reasons why it was readvertised Depending upon their answer, there is definitely no harm in applying again, and it provides you an opportunity to make amendments to your cover letter and resume to better address the role and the position description.

Andrew Sullivan says roles are readvertised for many reasons.

Alexandra Rosser

Head of Organisational Psychology Consulting,

Stillwell Management Consultants

Generally you don’t need to reapply if the job is readvertised within a few weeks. The usual reason for readvertising is to expand the field of candidates. You should check on the status of your application and ask whether the recruiter needs any more information from you. Likewise, if the role is readvertised after an extended period of time, it is still best to contact the recruiter and ask if your application remains in consideration.

Alexandra Rosser says the timing of the job ad may affect whether jobseekers should reapply or not.

Lisa Morris

Director,

Hays

When a role is advertised a second time, it might be for a number of reasons. The hiring manager may not have been satisfied with the pool of candidates that applied in the first round. Alternatively, it could be that the candidate who was offered the role didn’t accept, or that the candidate accepted but wasn’t the right fit for the role. It’s also a possibility that the role itself was changed to accommodate a new business need. We suggest you contact the hiring manager. Say that you notice the job has been re-posted, ask for information about why your application wasn’t successful and if there’s anything they recommend you do to improve your application.

It may be that you don’t currently possess a particular core skill that is essential to the role, for instance. If you take the initiative to find out, you might get an insight into what employers are looking for.

You could then undertake professional development to fill this gap and be in a better place to secure a similar position next time.

Lisa Morris says an inquiry to the hiring manager can give jobseekers more insight.

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