how to apply at the same company twice.
A job rejection can sometimes feel like you missed the one and only chance to join a company that you really like.
But what if things didn't have to work that way? I love the idea of a comeback. Let's explore how to reapply at a company that previously turned you down.
Most companies have a waiting period before you can apply a second time, which can be anywhere from 3 to 12 months. This should allow for enough time to work on whatever experience bit you were missing the first time around. If the reason you were rejected wasn’t related to certain skills, the waiting period isn’t really a factor. However, some applicant tracking systems have the option to decline applications from a candidate who recently applied. So always reach out to the recruiter or hiring manager to let them know of your renewed interest.
Pro-tip: stay connected with the recruiter or even the team members who interviewed you previously (especially if they work at a company you really like). If you nurture these connections, they won’t question your genuine curiosity for their company.
Next up, it's super important to have received clear feedback on why you weren't selected the first time around. This feedback can pinpoint you toward the skill or experience you need to work on. Whether you are currently in a company or not, you can kickstart a project aimed at training those. A course or workshop are wonderful ideas, too, but make sure that you can showcase how you practically implemented your newly acquired skills—and how they contributed to a specific goal.
After you get all proactive and work on those soft or hard skills, you can update your resume to reflect these changes. It’s also a great plan to have a portfolio or case study ready to attach to your application, which tangibly demonstrates the impact of your skills either on company goals or your personal growth. A bit of storytelling doesn’t hurt here.
If you have all of the above ready to drop once you spot a job opening that fits your skills—go! The recruiter you’ll get in touch with will appreciate you taking on past feedback and putting in the work to showcase your interest and persistence. Plus, you might get lucky and be able to skip some steps if you already successfully completed some interviewing rounds the last time. All of the work you put in will help the recruiter advocate for you to the hiring manager and hopefully speed up the process.
I'd love to hear how this works for you!
about the author:
Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.
