In most 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?
I feel bad for J in the short term, but honestly, this doesn’t sound like the ideal work environment anyway. She will land somewhere good, I’m sure. And I love the term fear monkeys—a perfect description of that feeling/condition.
Thanks Terry B. I agree…she’ll probably do better in the long run. And I know those fear monkeys all too well and feed the little critters often.
Ronnie Ann
I came across this post while trying to find out about whether to reapply for a job that has been reposted. I was never called back or followed up with after submitting my resume. I am unsure if reapplying with a modified resume will make a difference or if they will consider the new resume. Any insight would be appreciated!
Honestly, it is getting more and more difficult to tell just who is posting the jobs these days… directly for direct hire from the company’s HR itself or via some placement agency. And the way something is constantly reposted like someone hitting a refresh button, it’s puzzling. I also get a suspicious feeling that some job postings have become a “routine” rather than a genuine attempt to recruit a qualified employee.
Hi Jenn and Jonny!
Of course I have no way of knowing for sure why they’re reposting, but I can give you some reasons from my experience on the interviewer side.
Sometimes we reposted even if we had some good candidates because there was no match we all felt sure about or the candidates, while good, didn’t have one or two of the skills we really wanted, or simply we needed to have enough candidates to show HR that we were diligent in our search. Believe me, at the cost of ads and the time it takes to go through the process, if they repost, there is a good reason. It just may not feel that way to anyone who already sent in a resume and/or is waiting to hear back. Oh…and every now and then we reposted simply because we had a contract to run the ad x number of times.
Jenn…there is probably no value in resubmitting the same resume (other than to remind them why they didn’t want you assuming human eyes even reviewed it). BUT, if there is a way to redo your resume to make sure you mention words from the ad and clearly emphasize those things they’re looking for on your resume (and maybe de-emphasize some things that might work against you) by all means, resubmit with a great cover letter.
Also, your resume may have gotten kicked out by a system and never even seen. So if you can find the name of someone in the company (best in that department) to send it to, please give that a shot. And if you know anyone who knows anyone in that company, by all means get a name and speak to a live person. A polite conversation can often help.
Other than that…the best advice is to keep looking. And make sure your resume and cover letter target the posting specifically each time as best you can.
Good luck. Please let us know what happens!
~ Ronnie Ann
Thanks so much Ronnie Ann! I really appreciate your advice and I will be resubmitting it this week. I managed to get in touch with someone that passed on the job information to me in the first place and she in turn gave me a name of someone else that works there and that is keeping the post alive. I asked a few questions about the position so I will be incorporating information from her responses into a new cover letter. I will also be calling HR this week to see if they can provide me any insight too. I will keep you posted and thanks again!
Hi again Jenn!
Excellent about getting a name and using her responses to better target the cover letter. Really hope that helps! And yes…please let us know what happens.
Good luck! Fingers, legs and eyes crossed for you.
~ Ronnie Ann
Here’s how I found out that I didn’t get the job I interviewed for less than 2 weeks ago. Went to check my application status on the company’s website and found this: “Application Status: Closed.” I thought ok, maybe this means that the interviewers will start to deliberate because the listing was posted all through the interview process. But after a few days of no information I couldn’t take it anymore and emailed the HR recruiter I had been dealing with also after seeing that the listing disappeared for a day and then was re-posted but with slight modifications made to the qualifications. I just asked her to clarify what “closed” means. She clearly didn’t remember me because this was her response: “We did fill the position, but there are others, thanks!” That ‘thanks!’ at the end really stung. So I emailed back inquiring as to why I have yet to receive official information that I didn’t get the job…but no response, no official communication at all. Best of all, on my online application status it says that I have applied to the re-listed position…I definitely didn’t. So I don’t know what to think other than I know I didn’t get the job and since the interview this has been a total joke. I was pretty upset but I’m over it now, relived actually, I since applied for 2 jobs and still looking.
Thanks for letting us know what happened Mallory. So sorry!! I might not have sent that last e-mail (you never know when you meet folks again elsewhere), but I certainly understand why you felt moved to do it and at least now they know!
Glad you are on to BETTER things now. Some places are not the right match anyway and fate or whatever often helps keep us from the misery of working there. Or so I like to look at at.
At least now you know waiting is most definitely part of the process… and have some excellent experience
coping with the “not knowing”. Good luck!
~ Ronnie Ann
Oh boy, I was definitely was a little too hasty with my post Ronnie Ann. However I do feel I made the right move sending that last email because I wasn’t just an applicant, I made it through the various stages of the process and went to talk to these people in person for an hour and a half. I received a rejection message for another job with them that I didn’t even make it to step 2, so I knew something was going on, I just didn’t know what it was and felt I was entitled to a little information. But anyway, instead of just emailing me back the recruiter called me to explain, which in it of itself was appreciated. She told me that I have been attached in their system to the other job opening for the same position, I knew there were 2 spots for the position but I thought they had the one already and I was interviewing for the 2nd. But they’ve been re-evaluating and will have another round of interviews, but since I’ve been attached to this other opening that means I’m still in the running, I guess if they don’t find anyone they like better than me, maybe I’ll get an offer. And, she said by the end of next week I should hear something about it, so at least I have a time frame, which is all it takes for me to live in peace. But better still, she told me that the interviewers thought I would be a great match for a different position, which I didn’t really notice or consider. She said “if I’m interested” in it I should officially apply online..I said of course, I’m just interested in working with you guys, she reacted positively to that. So I might not have gotten that call if I didn’t send that email, I would never be rude or unprofessional, and also I think she realized her mistake, so a simple phone call and a little information made things much better. The other thing is, is that if you’re going to have applicants’ statuses on your website and make changes with no explanation you have to realize that we’re going to be checking this and not know what to think. Plus, my status in regards to the original position in not in “closed” anymore, it’s back to “in process” so maybe both openings are being rethought. So if I didn’t initiate, I’d be going insane…still. But now, I’m more hopeful because I understand what’s going on and clearly I have a shot at not just one job, but 2 or maybe 3. I’m going to be cautiously optimistic, not emotionally invested this time, but it’s definitely amazing how things turn around.
Oh Mallory! So cool.
This is a GREAT example of how I learn from my readers every day. Clearly, you stayed polite in your inquiry and left the door open; I misunderstood and thought you let them have it with both barrels.
Sorry for jumping to conclusions. Ah…the difficulties of good written communication.
Thanks for sharing this with all of us. What a terrific example of why good follow-through can make a real difference. Looks like you have a few irons in the fire – and most of all, you know the company likes you. Good for now and later on down the line.
FYI: I’ve interviewed people whom we liked and wound up hiring them for other openings – or even ones we decided to create for them. It’s something all job seekers should remember when one position doesn’t seem to be working out.
The other takeaway, I guess, is don’t take what you find on the internet or even their internal systems as the only truth. (I’ve seen quite a few cases of sloppy automated info when it comes to hiring.) Make sure you stay in touch (w/o stalking) so you can get it first hand. Really good job all around Mallory.
I wish you MUCH luck. Looks like you’re doing great with them. Go git ‘em, grrrl!
~ Ronnie Ann
Thanks so much again Ronnie Ann…didn’t think you misunderstood. Trust me at that moment I would have loved to let someone have it with both barrels, but it’s not in my nature to actually do it, unless I’ve been really offended. I actually like chronicling this process here and on my blog, I think I’ll be able to look back on this one day and still be really angry…oh I mean laugh
Hahaha! I totally get that Mallory. Again…best of luck!
~ Ronnie Ann
Well…I didn’t get the job I originally interviewed for, but…I do have another interview tomorrow for this other position that the interviewers recommended me for. I’m not sure what we’re going to talk about…again, but ok whatever. I’m not too bummed out about the first one, it was obvious to me that they’re looking for experience that I just don’t have and it’s kind of ok because I don’t really want to get into sales and spending the day on the phone. It’s not sales in the traditional sense, in nature it’s helping college students decide to study abroad with this organization, which is something that I’m passionate about…but they use “sales” in business terms because money is of course a big part of it all. I would have taken it gladly but this other position is in a different department that I would actually be more interested in developing with. My job would be literally to support the Site Specialist team to know every detail about every study program that the organization has to offer in order to assist the students and their parents through the process from physically going abroad to the time they come home, my interviewers from this department actually said I’d be great for this. So if all goes well tomorrow Ronnie Ann, I’ll be an Associate Site Specialist with a study abroad organization.
Wow. Now THAT sounds like a really interesting job to me, Mallory! Agree…so much more room to learn and take on new responsibilities. Hmmm…actually I might be interested…
Fingers and everything else crossed for you. And please let us know what happens. Jobs (and careers) that find us while we’re looking elsewhere are my favorite kinds of stories.
Best of luck!
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Ronnie Ann,
I had a similar experience to J. However I received a verbal offer. The hiring manager told me I’d be working for him and emphasized this several times. He ask me to go through one more round of interviews. This was after he told me I’d already hit it out of the ballpark with everyone (14 people total). He had received poor information early on during the process. But we kept going. He’d even spoken with my references which he said were stellar.
He told me to wait for the hiring manager to return to complete the interview process. So I waited then I sent him an e-mail a week after the hiring manager returned. She responded asking for my availability. The next day she phoned and asked me if I’d had a conversation with the hiring manager. I told her yes he told me he wanted me to interview with three more people. She then told me that he wanted to open up the process to more people and that at this time they were to going to continue.
I don’t get what changed. We’d already discussed the bad reference (not someone I provided, the hiring manager decided to call more than my references). He even gave me advice as to what i should have done at my old job. Why tell me I will work for him then change?
Thanks for your insight.
Hi Piper!
Wow. I’m so sorry you had to go through this – especially with so much encouragement. I can only imagine how disappointed and confused you must feel – and I would guess at least a little angry.
No way for me to know what happened, other than someone in the process decided to either give the bad reference more credibility (these things can really leave a bad taste) or that the fit just wasn’t what they need after all. I could guess, but that’s of no help to you.
Have you asked directly (and of course pleasantly) what changed? Say you need this to help you in your next interview and ask for any advice. But also maybe suggest you’d be happy to work for them on a contract basis so you can show them how much of an asset you would be. It might be worth a shot.
Please let us know what happens. I think at the very least, someone may be willing to clue you in.
Best of luck, Piper!
~ Ronnie Ann