In many cases the answer is a resounding “yes”. If they re-post the job, odds are it’s time to kiss it good-bye!
But there are also exceptions to the rule, which I’ll discuss later on. Unfortunately, the letter I got from a reader asking me that very question probably isn’t one of them. Here’s her story…
Hello Ronnie Ann!
I’m actually crying right at this very moment only because I can’t seem to understand why people who do job interviews can be so calloused.
Company X called me twice for two phone interviews. Things seem to have gone well as they invited me to visit them out of state. After a series of interview with several individuals, I left and was told that they’ll “let me know if there’s any further interest” which were the exact words. Few minutes after I got to my hotel, I did get a call and was asked to return and I did. I met with more people.
Everything seemed very positive. I was confident and had positive energy. The job closely parallels what I have on my resume at about 95%. I sent individual thank you notes to each and every individual who interviewed me.
Out of the 10 people that interviewed me, 2 people mentioned negative things about the future boss for the job. However, it wasn’t something I engaged myself in. When I met with the “future boss”, although I felt good about the interview and answered all of his questions, I didn’t feel as connected with him as I did with the others but I remained positive.
One week passed, silence…. yesterday was 2 weeks of silence so I sent my short follow-up email to the Director of HR that basically reiterates that I’m still very interested and inquiring if I’m still in the running and where they’re at in their hiring process. Given that Monday is typically a very busy day for most people, I thought perhaps they need a couple days.
Fast forward…. this morning I got online and I found that same job re-posted by a recruiting firm. Is it safe to say that I’m out and should be moving on? I was really hoping that they at least reply back even if I lost the job so I can send them a thank you letter for considering me for the job and make way for professional connection.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
J
PS: Just simply typing this out gave me some relief…. I’m glad I
found your site! Thank you.
Hi J!
I’m so sorry you’re going through all this. Glad telling the story helped. It’s a good idea not to hold in all that interview waiting game frustration! Sounds like you did the right things and even understand if this job doesn’t come through, there’s still an opportunity to keep in touch with the company for future openings. Smart.
Unfortunately, there is no 100% sure way to interpret the re-posting. A job re-posting can sometimes simply be contractual (meaning the company paid ahead of time for a certain number of listings) or, as is more often the case, it can indeed be a sign of something less positive. In your case, the fact that it was posted by the recruiter may very well point toward the less positive outcome.
Then again, recruiters sometimes re-post an ad just to be safe, maybe having heard some doubts but not knowing for sure whether or not you’ll get the job. Or the company may simply be keeping its options open to see what new resumes come in. Companies do that sometimes, while keeping the best candidates on hold – and in the dark. So J…you could still be in the running – but there’s also a good chance they decided to pass.
So what should you do?
Keep Looking for a Job Even While Waiting to Hear Back
No matter what the correct interpretation of the re-posted job may be, don’t stop looking! One of the most important things you can do during an interview process is to keep the momentum going. Not only does it help keep the fear monkeys away, but you may wind up getting a better job as a result.
If you do get the job (and it’s still possible), I wish you all the best. But if you don’t…it may not be such a bad thing after all. Messages like people talking negatively about your potential future boss in an actual interview and the lack of connection in your interview with him/her can mean a LOT. Again, I hope you do get it and it turns out to be great. But if not, you may have lucked out!
I wish you whichever outcome is best for you, J. And please don’t cry. If this job isn’t the one, it could be because the right one is on its way – even if it takes a while to find you. On that thought, you may find this May 11, 2009 comment from Joe comforting:
Days Off Are Much Better When You Have a Job
Good luck!
Ronnie Ann
How would you feel if you saw the job you want posted again? Have you ever seen a job posted again and still gotten it? Did you ever lose out on a job and then get a great one anyway?
New Flash! I just got an update from J. Well…she didn’t get the job. But she tells me she feels ok and is ready to get back out there and find the right job for her. Meanwhile she made sure to let the company know she appreciated the chance to interview and is still interested should anything else come up. Perfect.
Interesting twist…turns out they fired the HR Director and that was one of the reasons she was kept hanging for so long. Add that to the endless list of reasons in the oh-so-frustrating waiting game! 
Some posts you might find helpful:
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
I Got the Post-Interview Temporary OCD Blues
How To Tell If a Job Interview Went Well
After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?
What the Heck Goes on Behind the Scenes After a Job Interview?
Hi Ronnie Ann,
Came across this website because I am in a similar situation and I am furious! Had 2 phone and one in person interview- all went well. Traveled 2 hours to do the in person interview. 2 weeks passed, followed up with the recruiter I was dealing with. No response. Today I saw the position reposted! I am so angry. And the position I interviewed for was a human resources role! Talk about unprofessional! No decency to even acknowledge my email !
Hi Mya!
I never cease to be amazed by the lack of consideration. I know enough to know there are many reasons this might happen not all of them bad for the job seeker, but seriously…just let people know where they stand!
Since a reposting does not always mean you are out, worth calling to at least see if you are still in the running. There may indeed be internal reasons for the silence.
Whatever the result, I hope the new year brings you a great new job. I’m sure you’ll bring your experience with you to HR and that’s a good thing for the people you’ll wind up helping one day. Good luck, Mya!
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi,
I applied for a job and 4 days after the closing date I called them to ask about my app. She told me that I was the only one that applied and that they needed to repost it. This time it is only for a week ane and last time it was for like 3 weeks. She told me to send in a resume and I did so now I will wait after the closing date and call.
So what does this sound to you.
Thanks,
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa!
There’s no way for me to know for sure, of course. But if it helps, a company likes to get enough resumes so that it has a choice of qualified people to call in for interviews. And, just to explain a little more, if their ad isn’t working, they may even decide to use an agency.
Just an idea…maybe next time you call, if they still don’t say anything about an interview, ask very politely if there are any questions now you can answer for them to help them decide to call you in for an interview. (Only if that feels right for you, of course.
)
Good luck, Vanessa! Please let us know what happens.
~ Ronnie Ann
I feel for you. I was unemployed for about 2 years. I interviewed with several companies in the end of 2010. I went in for 3rd and 4th interviews, then I saw that they re-posted the job listing.
I was dissapointed and angry. I spoke to a close friend and he said if they re-posted the job, they are not looking.
Now, when you post a job you get more than 200 applicants. Out of the 200 hundred applicants, they were unable to find someone?
A recruiter called me and wanted me to come in for an interview. I flat out asked her “how soon are they looking to fill the position.” She replied saying “they have interviewed several candidates they like, but they want “personality.” When she told me that I said “the fact that they are looking for personality shows that they are not hiring the right person for the job.” I told her “No Thanks.”
Please do not loose hope. I hope you have found a job. Even if it does not pay well, it gives your mind something to do. While you are working, still apply for other jobs.
I wish you and all the “qualified” unemployed people well!
Thanks for your comment and encouragement to others, Paul.
And by the way…I understand your point, but just know personality can be interpreted many ways. It is an important part of many jobs because of relationship building and team skills. But in most cases that doesn’t mean you have to have pizazz and sizzle. Sometimes it just means you’re a nice person they’d like to work with on a daily basis.
Good luck in your career!
Please give me your opinion and advice.
I applied for a position in an insurance company that advertised last May. I was called sometime in September 2010 to interview. I was told that they had delayed conducting the interviews because other things had come up.
I felt the interview went well but I may have hurt my chances on discussions about salary. I told the interviewer that I was looking for an amount nearly $20,000 more than what I was told during the interview. My mistake (due to my interview inexperience and not consulting websites such as these) was to not wait until receiving an offer.
Anyway, I called the interviewer as a follow-up some time in November 2010 and again recently as in June 2011 because the company would usual let the public know when a particular position has been filled on its website. As far as I knew the position has not been filled.
I confirmed just this past week that the position has not been filled, as a friend of mine called someone they knew at the company who informed that the company had put off filling that position (which is a new position being created) until December 2011 when the person who performs those functions though in a different position retires in December.
However, I learned that if I wasn’t selected for the second round of interviews with the companies President when they were being conducted in September 2010 then it is likely that I wasn’t being considered.
I did not make the second round of interviews.
My friend asked the person to speak to the HR Manager on my behalf and gave me a solid recommendation and requested that the company looks at my resume again because I may be the person they are looking for.
I really really want this job because it is with a reputable company with a good reputation and is very stable.
What do you think I should do to be reconsidered? I’m figuring that since it would have been a year since the second round of interviews most of those persons short listed may have found other jobs and would not longer be contenders? Also I am able to negotiate salary and accept an amount within the salary range. I know I would be a good fit for the company.
I have called the interviewer twice but got no response.
Should I follow up with a letter directly to the interviewer?
Your suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi S Cindy!
I think it’s great that your friend was able to get you an internal recommendation directly to the HR Manager. At this point, I would sent that same HR Manager a very short snail mail letter (no typos) expressing your strong interest and asking that you be given another chance to show what an asset you can be for the company. That means talk about their needs and not your wants.
Good luck!
This happened to me today. I interviewed for a job a few weeks back and I thought everything went great. In the first interview, the woman I met with told me I’d be a great fit for either of the two senior copywriter positions available. Then she gave me a tour of the building and had me meet with HR to reschedule my follow-up, which was 3 days later. From there, I met with 4 more people with the company and then later that day they sent me an edit test to complete in one weeks time.
I completed and turned it in that Tuesday night and waited a week until I followed up on the status of it. When I did, they told me they were still in in the interviewing process but in the meantime would like me to freelance for them as a copywriter for another website under the company. Does this sound like I’m completely out of the running for the other positions? I’m so confused b/c I thought everything went so well…
Oh, but I forgot to add that I was browsing a job board and saw one of the copywriting positions re-posted 3 days ago…
Hi Dana!
I see a lot of good news here. First…they only advertised for ONE position even though they have two openings.
And asking you to freelance for a while may not be as good as a job offer, but it shows me you did indeed impress them. Maybe they’re trying you out and maybe they simply need help asap. Either way, I’d see it as an opportunity and say yes; then give it your best…and start to build workplace relationships so you get seen as someone who could fit in easily.
But also let them know you really hope they are still considering you for a full-time job. Some companies like to try before they buy. And if you think about it, you get to do that too.
Meanwhile…if they are not giving you strong indications that you have a good chance at one of the full-time jobs, keep looking so you don’t take yourself out of the job market. But I’m hoping this has a happy ending.
Good luck and please keep us posted!
… Last week I had 2 telephone interviews and one face to face interview with a large company. They pushed me through the process rapidly as I started a new role on monday. Its now Thursday and I haven’t heard back from them despite chasing a decision. The energy was extremely postive and there comments were alluding to a success. Today they have reposted the job with a closing date in 4 weeks! I am now at my new job which I hate, and have a feeling a great despair – quite frankly I feel like crying. I am confused as to why they would repost without contacting me first. I had conversations with them every day last week and now nothing- and if the re-posting is anything to go by they are looking again for a whole month. I’ve broken my back they past 5 months to secure a job, previously loosing a job I loved. I now have a new job, which I hate and feel like I’ve made a mistake and have to start the whole recruitment process- yet again. I have a great CV, skills set and interview well ( I think). My career is so important to me- Its where all my energy has gone for the last 10 years.
. Advice appreciated- shall I just forget about the interviews I had last week?
Hi BHM!
Although I know how hard it is to keep things open and still move on, that is exactly what a successful job search is all about. Re-posting can have so many meanings and there’s no way for you to know for sure how close to the top you are. It can even mean they simply didn’t get enough applicants yet to make a decision. I’ve worked places where we had a candidate we liked, but HR rules said we had to keep looking. And HR rules also told us not to contact applicants in between. It sucks, but please know it is very common.
I’m sorry your job search has gone on for so long, but I get comments all the time for people who wanted to tear their hair out from the frustration of search, and then the job offer comes along. All you can do is keep looking with full determination.
This is a great time to channel the frustration into action. Look at websites of companies you’d like to work for. See if you know anyone there (LinkedIn is a good resource and so is the company’s Board member list if they have one). Contact or recontact everyone you can think of (former employers, former co-workers, school career centers, members of organizations you belong to). And tell folks you know or meet about your search with fresh excitement – that really is the key to getting people invested in your search. Look for folks to ask for informationals. Also a good time to volunteer for something constructive to do but also for fresh stories about things you’ve been doing to share during interviews, and for new contacts.
Although I know job search wears the best of us down, keep looking and close no doors until you get the offer. Good luck!
Thanks Ronnie. I am infact feeling much better as I have just had a call from the company that had reposted the job informing me that I am still in the running for the role, its just that the role is so business critical they need to benchmark me against more candidates. So it is not a” no” and infact I’ve only had positive feedback. I am in a new job (this is day 5), so its not all doom and gloom, its just so important for me to find the right role so I can grow and continue my career path. I’ll update this when I find out next stages.
In the meantime I’m trying to remain positive. Job searches, the interview process is like a rollercoaster- I thought I got off when I started this new job, but it seems I am very much still on it!
Again Thanks x
Appreciate the update BHM. I can well understand how you must be feeling. But it is not uncommon for HR departments to require an ample interview pool before saying yes. Glad your feedback has been so good, and I hope good news soon ends the ride for a good long while.
Best of luck!