The Backdoor Approach: How to Get Hired for Jobs You Previously Got Rejected From
Should You Reapply for a Job You Previously Didn't Get? 🤷
Applying for jobs can often feel like sending your resume into a black hole. You put in hours customizing your application materials, hit submit, and then...crickets. No interview request, no update, just radio silence from the employer.
This happened to one of our clients, Lea. Two months ago, she applied for her dream job but never heard back from the company. Now that same role has been reposted. Lea asked me if it's worth her time to reapply or if she should move on.
The Truth About Applicant Tracking Systems
Before deciding whether to reapply, it's important to understand how applicant tracking systems (ATS) work. There are over 100 different types of ATS software, and each one handles repeat applicants differently.
Some systems will flag you as a previous applicant, while others won't even surface your new application if you already exist in the database from a prior submission.
The Black Hole of Online Applications 🕳️
Even if the ATS would allow your new application through, simply reapplying through the job board is often a dead end. Why? Because there is such a logjam of applications that your materials may never get properly reviewed by a human.
Instead of wasting your time in this overcrowded applicant pool, you need to find a backdoor into the hiring process.
The Backdoor to Getting Hired
At Work It DAILY, we teach clients backdoor strategies to connect directly with the recruiter or hiring manager for roles they are interested in. This allows you to:
Get clarification on if/how you can reapply
Have your LinkedIn profile reviewed (assuming it's optimized)
Determine if there are any other tips for improving your candidacy
I've seen this backdoor approach work time and time again, with clients getting hired for roles they previously got auto-rejected for just by connecting with the right people.
Here's What Lea Did… 🙌
For Lea's specific situation, we advised her to identify and reach out to the recruiter(s) handling the role she was interested in reapplying for. When she connected, she said:
"I applied for [job title] two months ago but didn't hear anything back. I noticed the role has been reposted. Would you recommend I reapply or do you have any other suggestions to improve my candidacy?"
By phrasing it this way, Lea accomplished three things:
She brought her previous application top-of-mind for the recruiter
She got clarification on if/how to reapply
She opened the conversation to get feedback on strengthening her materials
The recruiter ended up asking for Lea's resume and referring her for an interview! All because she took the backdoor approach instead of reapplying blindly online.
Get the Results You Want
Have you been endlessly applying online with no luck? Try taking the backdoor approach instead! Work It DAILY can teach you how with our expert career coaching and training.
Check out our FREE 7-day trial and see the difference having an insider strategy can make in your job search.
Go get ‘em!
J.T. O’Donnell
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