5 Tips for Reapplying to a Job You Were Rejected For - ZipJob

5 Tips for Reapplying to a Job You Were Rejected For Spread the loveSo you were rejected for a job the first time around. Can you reapply for the same job  after being rejected? Yes, you can certainly reapply for  the position. However, unless youve updated your resume or enhanced your skills its likely not worth it.There are a few things  to keep in mind before you reapply to the same position.#1 How Much Time Has Passed?Most companies have policies when it comes to reapplying for a position. Always make an effort to find out what there policy is. You could do this by browsing their website or reaching out to someone in HR.Most companies have a policy where you have to wait anywhere from  4 12 months to reapply. Reapplying too soon could make you seem desperate and unprofessional which could also really hinder any chances you have working with that company.#2 Determine the Reason for RejectionWas there any explanation or feedback as to why your application was declined? If so, you would obviously have to address those issues befo re you reapply.If you  made it to the interview already, you stand a  better chance at landing the position. It could be that the requirements have changed, there is new personnel in charge of hiring, or the applicant  pool isnt as competitive this time around. Whatever the case is, make the effort to see what you could improve on this time around. Were there any  interview questions  you had difficulty answering? Is there anything you felt you could have said to make you come of as a stronger candidate?If you didnt make it to the interview or receive a response regarding the rejection, take some time to look into the job description  in detail and determine what could have caused the rejection. Make sure your resume contains all of the requirements listed in the description. This leads us to our next tip.#3 Optimize Your ResumeThe resume is the first impression you have on a potential employer. The first step is making that impression and getting past an ATS (Applicant Tracking Sy stem). Most companies today use an ATS to automatically screen resumes and determine whether youre a good match for the position. As many as 75% of resumes  are rejected by an ATS and many times the candidate is qualified but the resume isnt optimized.Its very likely that your resume was rejected by an ATS an not a human. You need to ensure you load your resume with relevant keywords and use an ATS friendly resume format.You can see how your resume does in an actual ATS scan through our free resume review.#4 Reapplying for a Job Cover LetterIf you were told the reason for rejection, you would need to mention your previous application in a cover letter. You want to be honest here as most HR personnel use sophisticated systems that  could see that youve already applied.Mention that youve applied for the position before and you feel youre a good match for the position because  XYZ.If youve made any significant progress with additional experience or skills, be sure to mention it. The same goes for any additional certifications or education.#5 Apply to Other JobsMany job seekers make the mistake of focusing on a single position and get discouraged when they dont get it. Remember that a corporate job opening in the U.S.  receives an average of 250 applicants.  You should absolutely put in the time and effort to apply for a position you really want but dont sit around waiting for a reply. Apply to as many positions youd be willing to take.Getting a job application rejection doesnt mean you should give up. You can certainly reapply for a position you were initially declined  for but put in the time and effort to determine or  fix the reason for rejection. Make sure you check the policy on how long you need to wait before reapplying. 5 Tips for Reapplying to a Job You Were Rejected For Spread the loveSo you were rejected for a job the first time around. Can you reapply for the same job  after being rejected? Yes, you can certainly reapply for  the position. However, unless youve updated your resume or enhanced your skills its likely not worth it.There are a few things  to keep in mind before you reapply to the same position.#1 How Much Time Has Passed?Most companies have policies when it comes to reapplying for a position. Always make an effort to find out what there policy is. You could do this by browsing their website or reaching out to someone in HR.Most companies have a policy where you have to wait anywhere from  4 12 months to reapply. Reapplying too soon could make you seem desperate and unprofessional which could also really hinder any chances you have working with that company.#2 Determine the Reason for RejectionWas there any explanation or feedback as to why your application was declined? If so, you would obviously have to address those issues befo re you reapply.If you  made it to the interview already, you stand a  better chance at landing the position. It could be that the requirements have changed, there is new personnel in charge of hiring, or the applicant  pool isnt as competitive this time around. Whatever the case is, make the effort to see what you could improve on this time around. Were there any  interview questions  you had difficulty answering? Is there anything you felt you could have said to make you come of as a stronger candidate?If you didnt make it to the interview or receive a response regarding the rejection, take some time to look into the job description  in detail and determine what could have caused the rejection. Make sure your resume contains all of the requirements listed in the description. This leads us to our next tip.#3 Optimize Your ResumeThe resume is the first impression you have on a potential employer. The first step is making that impression and getting past an ATS (Applicant Tracking Sy stem). Most companies today use an ATS to automatically screen resumes and determine whether youre a good match for the position. As many as 75% of resumes  are rejected by an ATS and many times the candidate is qualified but the resume isnt optimized.Its very likely that your resume was rejected by an ATS an not a human. You need to ensure you load your resume with relevant keywords and use an ATS friendly resume format.You can see how your resume does in an actual ATS scan through our free resume review.#4 Reapplying for a Job Cover LetterIf you were told the reason for rejection, you would need to mention your previous application in a cover letter. You want to be honest here as most HR personnel use sophisticated systems that  could see that youve already applied.Mention that youve applied for the position before and you feel youre a good match for the position because  XYZ.If youve made any significant progress with additional experience or skills, be sure to mention it. The same goes for any additional certifications or education.#5 Apply to Other JobsMany job seekers make the mistake of focusing on a single position and get discouraged when they dont get it. Remember that a corporate job opening in the U.S.  receives an average of 250 applicants.  You should absolutely put in the time and effort to apply for a position you really want but dont sit around waiting for a reply. Apply to as many positions youd be willing to take.Getting a job application rejection doesnt mean you should give up. You can certainly reapply for a position you were initially declined  for but put in the time and effort to determine or  fix the reason for rejection. Make sure you check the policy on how long you need to wait before reapplying.