askST Jobs: Is it okay to reapply to an opening you were previously rejected for?

In this series, manpower reporter Tay Hong Yi offers practical answers to candid questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career. Get more tips by signing up to The Straits Times’ HeadSTart newsletter.

Q: When can I apply for the same job opening again?

A: Many employers allow resubmissions of job applications to accommodate corrections and updates, such as fixing typographical errors or adding new qualifications, says Mr David Blasco, country director at human resources consultancy Randstad Singapore.

Resubmissions may also be made to address technical issues like submission errors and file upload problems, Mr Blasco adds.

However, he notes, some employers discourage or limit multiple submissions to streamline their review process and to manage the volume of applications.

“Restricting resubmissions also promotes fairness, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity without an advantage from repeated revisions.”

Mr Blasco also says some sectors and roles are more open to evaluating resubmissions than others.

These include fast-paced industries where skills and qualifications need to evolve quickly, like the technology sector.

The same could apply to roles with niche skills such as language-based skills, blue-collar roles, heavy machinery and engineering industries, and sales roles in the life sciences industry, observes Mr Peter Hamilton of human resources services firm KellyOCG.

How prospective employers perceive reapplication also depends on the nature of the initial rejection, notes Mr Hamilton, who is Asia-Pacific managing director at KellyOCG.

Mr Blasco says: “Reapplying to the same job opening after an unsuccessful application can be frowned upon, particularly if done without significant changes to the application.

“Hiring managers may see it as ignoring feedback and are more likely to reject the application.”

Nonetheless, both Mr Blasco and Mr Hamilton encourage candidates to put themselves up for consideration again, should their qualifications, skills or relevant experience have grown meaningfully since the first application.

Mr Blasco advises reapplicants to indicate these new experiences or skills in their cover letter and the first page of their application to demonstrate how they have grown since their last application.

“It also helps the employers learn that their feedback is taken into consideration and demonstrates that the applicant is receptive to constructive feedback,” he says.

Reapplying is also appropriate if the candidate received explicit encouragement from the employer to do so in the future, he adds.

“On the other hand, if the rejection was based on a fundamental mismatch in qualifications or experience, or if feedback indicated the candidate wasn’t a fit for the company culture, it might be better to move on and focus on other roles,” Mr Blasco says.

Candidates who feel they have gained the necessary experience and skills can also reconnect with the recruiter or human resources personnel to request that their suitability for the role be revisited, Mr Hamilton suggests.

Additionally, if the candidate received feedback during the previous interview, addressing how they have acted on this feedback in subsequent applications can work in their favour, Mr Blasco says.

“Providing tangible examples of recent achievements and explaining how these improvements make them a better fit can help reassure hiring managers.”

Mr Hamilton says: “Organisations would like to look for the best fit of talent for any roles, especially in Singapore, where there is a talent crunch.

“Even if a candidate is a reapplicant, if he or she has newly acquired skills and experience they didn’t have before and it’s a good fit for the role, hiring managers will still review and shortlist them for interviews accordingly.”

This means candidates need not lose heart after being rejected for their dream job the first time round.

Still, Mr Blasco says: “Ultimately, persistence should be balanced with respect for the employer’s decision, and candidates should ensure they have made significant improvements before attempting to reapply.”

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