Ask a Recruiter: Should I Apply to the Same Job Twice? - Jobscan (2023)

A note from Tejal

You know, I got my start in recruiting by accident. I had no idea what recruiting was, I falsely assumed it was just all part of HR wizardry. I landed my first job in recruiting/HR by interviewing for an Administrative Assistant role. Though I did a lot of general work, I realized that what I truly enjoyed was talking to people and finding out their stories. Each person has their own unique story and I loved learning about them. One day I’ll write a short story book about all the memorable tales I have collected over the years.

When I first started as a HR Specialist, I did everything under the HR umbrella (I even learned to process payroll!). This was “the dream” for an ambivert; enough paperwork to not have to speak to people all day, but enough people to interact with to stay satisfied. Later on, while working at RobertHalf, I was lucky to learn the fundamentals of recruiting by a mentor who taught me that recruiting was really about building relationships. He was a great mentor who explained to me the importance of individual reputation rather than the organization’s reputation. As a recruiter, I would have many jobs but my reputation was what mattered the most. If I hold myself to honor, the organization’s reputation will be lifted.

I carry that philosophy of honor with me today in my career as a Senior Recruiter, and I’m thrilled to assist the Jobscan community with insight and advice to make your job search smoother and more successful.

Question #1: Re-applying for the same job

If I don't get an interview for a job I applied to and was pretty sure I was qualified for, and then I see the position posted again fairly soon after I get the rejection, should I apply again? Maybe after tweaking my resume or writing a new cover letter? Or once you end up in the rejection pile, do you stay there permanently? - Anonymous

Hi there, that’s an excellent question. Yes, you should absolutely apply for the role again.

There are so many factors as to why you didn’t get the job or interview. By the time you applied they might have already been in the final stages of the interview with their ideal candidate but then the candidate backed out. I typically ‘refresh’ the job posting every couple of weeks so I can get new candidates especially if we don’t have any candidates that match the skills. Regardless of if you choose to reapply, you should always tweak your resume to ensure that the relevant skills and qualifications listed in the job description are incorporated into your resume.

The cover letter is more of an added bonus, typically I suggest that a cover letter needs to fill in any blanks that might be on your resume. The rejection is never permanent. Make sure to use the Jobscan tool to ensure that your resume covers the basics of the job description. More than that, you need to show your value: what ROI did you achieve at your current job or even the previous job that can show the employer what you bring to the table?

Question #2: Applying for multiple jobs at the same company

Oftentimes, I'm interested in applying for 2 similar positions in a company that fit my knowledge and skills. What would the employer think if I apply for both? - Lisa

Hi Lisa, it truly depends on how small or large the organization is. I have worked in mainly small organizations, when I receive a resume that is qualified for two positions, I typically send it to both the hiring managers. In large organizations when there is more than one recruiter, I would recommend applying to both positions with individually crafted resumes.

One mistake I have seen candidates make when applying to two positions is not customizing their resume for that job. When a recruiter is looking at your resume after you have applied, they are looking at the resume attached to that job. Even in small organizations, I would recommend applying to both, because in small organizations sometimes recruiters are overworked with way too many positions and might not have the time to see if you are a fit for any other positions, they have their blinders on.

Ultimately, the employer typically won’t care as long as you are qualified for both positions. The only time I see this being a problem is when you don’t show on your resume how you are qualified for the position(s) you are applying to. That’s the biggest thing that matters in the initial round when a recruiter is reviewing your resume.

Question #3: How to get an update or feedback from a recruiter

Why does one need to chase a recruiter on progress updates once they have submitted your CV to the client? How best to handle this? Once a CV is submitted to the client and then not selected by the client, why does the recruiter not give the feedback specifics to the candidate? Why does the recruiter not give CV format suggestions if they know what format suits the client best? - Dean

Hi Dean, let’s break this down. Firstly, I would like to say that I am not going to make excuses for the recruiters who aren’t doing the job, but here is the reality:

When you are working with an agency recruiter, they are typically working with many candidates and might forget. You don’t need to chase the recruiter. If you are working with agencies, make sure to be working with a few different ones. No one agency has all the jobs. It’s just not possible.

When you are searching for a job, the only thing you can control and should worry about is what you do. This is your paycheck, so why leave it up to someone else to follow up with you? In the search, there are so many things you can’t control, but how often you follow up is in your control, so seize the control.

Why isn’t the recruiter giving you specific feedback? Because most of the time they don’t know how to give specific feedback. They don’t want to say something that will get them sued. They might accidentally say something that might not be appropriate. Should they give specific feedback? Absolutely! When the recruiter gives you the bad news, you should ask for “why” and if they have any feedback for you. They might not have much to offer you (as the hiring manager might not have given them anything), but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Lastly, your resume format doesn’t really matter, as most agencies format your resume to their company’s template. They do this for their own brand recognition with the client, so when working with an agency the main thing you need to focus on is the content of your resume. Do you have a resume that shows that you are qualified for the job they are submitting you for?