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Original poster

Applied for a job, didn't get it but they're still advertising?

60 replies

PeatrixBotter · 02/12/2025 10:17

The job I am most trained in, most want to do and am most qualified for is quite niche, very rarely see posts advertised for it so I was ecstatic when I saw one, seeing as I were made redundant earlier this year.
Interview went reasonably well although I did have a tech issue-then they got in touch (earlier than they said they would) to tell me I came across well, but another applicant had more relevant experience. I have been looking for jobs since, always am.

This morning I see that the job is still being advertised? It wasn't yesterday. Is this one of those 'fake jobs' situations? Doesn't seem to fully fit?

Should I email my contact there and ask if there's another position, should I apply?

OP posts:
vincettenoir · 02/12/2025 10:22

Yes, I would.

Ineedanewsofa · 02/12/2025 10:26

Depending on the amount of time between you getting turned down and the re advertising it could well be that their preferred candidate didn’t work out for whatever reason so they have gone back to market. Companies don’t necessarily keep the details of previous candidates so it would be on you to apply again if still interested.

HundredMilesAnHour · 02/12/2025 10:28

Yes, it’s worth contacting them again and reiterating how much you’re interested in working for them “if” another position comes up and see if they bite.

Maybe the person they offered the role to declined or failed reference checking, or budgets changed / were put on hold etc. Things happen.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
NewPinkJacket · 02/12/2025 10:29

It's possible the applicant they gave the job to didn't want it in the end, but they didn't feel the other interviewees were suitable.

This happened recently at work and we had to start the whole round of advertising, shortlisting and interviewing again!

SarahAndQuack · 02/12/2025 10:31

I would always assume it's worth following up in case the candidate the chose didn't work out and they are genuinely re-hiring. But if they said you didn't have as much relevant experience as another candidate I doubt it was a fake job ad - more likely they simply meant 'not enough experience' and framed it in those terms because they felt it was tactful (I'm not a fan of this but I think it is quite common).

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 02/12/2025 10:32

The role was probably filled for all of 5 minutes before the applicant decided it wasn't for them and moved on quickly. It's happened at my work. I think the shortest tenure was someone we hired to take on the role of the boss's PA. They lasted two weeks.

Yes, there are a lot of phantom jobs out there - it gives the impression the company is growing. The reality is they're either stagnant or shrinking and can't truly reflect the state of the jobs market otherwise economic shrinkage accelerates.

NewPinkJacket · 02/12/2025 10:34

Some people apply for more than one job at a time and if they're offered both, they have to choose one.

So the person may not have even have accepted the role.

Original poster
PeatrixBotter · 02/12/2025 10:40

SarahAndQuack · 02/12/2025 10:31

I would always assume it's worth following up in case the candidate the chose didn't work out and they are genuinely re-hiring. But if they said you didn't have as much relevant experience as another candidate I doubt it was a fake job ad - more likely they simply meant 'not enough experience' and framed it in those terms because they felt it was tactful (I'm not a fan of this but I think it is quite common).

I haev done the exact same job before for very a reputable company (much more so than this one!) albeit only for one term as it was a fixed contract.

So unless they're seeking a unicorn(not impossible!), I don't really know what they're playing at here.

Would you reapply in this situation, or email them to ask if they can reconsider you? I am not sure what the etiquette is here?

OP posts:
Greenwitchart · 02/12/2025 10:44

I am going to go against the grain and say that I would not contact them again.

As a manager if my first choice of candidate did not accept the offer/decided to withdraw I would then contact my second choice if there were more than one good candidate at interview stage.

The fact that they went straight back to advertising to me means that they did not consider that anyone else was suitable.

vincettenoir · 02/12/2025 10:47

Greenwitchart · 02/12/2025 10:44

I am going to go against the grain and say that I would not contact them again.

As a manager if my first choice of candidate did not accept the offer/decided to withdraw I would then contact my second choice if there were more than one good candidate at interview stage.

The fact that they went straight back to advertising to me means that they did not consider that anyone else was suitable.

This may well be correct. But I think it is worth contacting them again even if OP receives feedback along those lines. Understanding the full picture should help OP progress.

MaJoady · 02/12/2025 10:47

Greenwitchart · 02/12/2025 10:44

I am going to go against the grain and say that I would not contact them again.

As a manager if my first choice of candidate did not accept the offer/decided to withdraw I would then contact my second choice if there were more than one good candidate at interview stage.

The fact that they went straight back to advertising to me means that they did not consider that anyone else was suitable.

Where I work we would not be allowed to contact an applicant and ask them to reapply (no idea why). We have to hope our second choice sees the second job application and reapplies

Hufflebuffs · 02/12/2025 10:49

You don’t ask you don’t get, nothing to lose etc etc.

Teathecolourofcreosote · 02/12/2025 10:52

Job adverts usually specify 'previous candidates need not apply' if it's a case of not finding anyone suitable.

If it doesn't say this then how much do you have to lose? Are you likely to come into contact with the hiring manager in any other capacity for example?

Would you rather know for certain they don't want you than wonder?

If it is public sector related in any way there are often rules about how they have to be advertised rather than going back to candidates.

Jk987 · 02/12/2025 10:52

Apply again definitely. Do everything to avoid another tech issue on the interview. It just doesn’t look good. Join well ahead to ensure it works.
You say the interview went reasonably well - sounds like it was either mediocre or you’re under selling yourself. Brush up on examples really well and be confident.

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 02/12/2025 10:53

Greenwitchart · 02/12/2025 10:44

I am going to go against the grain and say that I would not contact them again.

As a manager if my first choice of candidate did not accept the offer/decided to withdraw I would then contact my second choice if there were more than one good candidate at interview stage.

The fact that they went straight back to advertising to me means that they did not consider that anyone else was suitable.

I agree with this.

There are also other negative possibilities:

  • they have unrealistic/inaccurate/unnecessarily fixed ideas of what they want from a candidate. I was always happy to accept a suitable but not ideal candidate, and my best hire was a grade below the expected qualification.
  • the other person started and quit because it was an awful place to work.
  • they don't actually understand the role they are offering - surprisingly common when it comes to niche roles! I always struggled with interviewers who didn't understand the function they were recruiting for. It's usually repeated in the culture of the org towards the niche.
Original poster
PeatrixBotter · 02/12/2025 10:55

Jk987 · 02/12/2025 10:52

Apply again definitely. Do everything to avoid another tech issue on the interview. It just doesn’t look good. Join well ahead to ensure it works.
You say the interview went reasonably well - sounds like it was either mediocre or you’re under selling yourself. Brush up on examples really well and be confident.

I had to demonstrate some slides and they didn't move when I clicked so I had to manually click through them, but being as I was presenting and they moved for me, I didn't realise this until they told me. Embarrassing. But, the content was fine, I answered questions fine, I demonstrated that I could design a presentation and present it which is a crucial part of the job. I of course will do my upmost to avoid that issue again, I agree it just doesn't look good.

OP posts:
Original poster
PeatrixBotter · 02/12/2025 10:57

Teathecolourofcreosote · 02/12/2025 10:52

Job adverts usually specify 'previous candidates need not apply' if it's a case of not finding anyone suitable.

If it doesn't say this then how much do you have to lose? Are you likely to come into contact with the hiring manager in any other capacity for example?

Would you rather know for certain they don't want you than wonder?

If it is public sector related in any way there are often rules about how they have to be advertised rather than going back to candidates.

Not public sector and it doesn't say anything like that. Another possibility is they've realised they need more than one applicant-perhaps the role has expanded. Not impossible albeit unlikely in this climate.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 02/12/2025 10:57

I interviewed for a job around 4 or 5 years ago that I felt I was a good fit for but didn't get it. I see it advertised roughly once a year every year since so it feels like I dodged a bullet

SarahAndQuack · 02/12/2025 10:58

PeatrixBotter · 02/12/2025 10:40

I haev done the exact same job before for very a reputable company (much more so than this one!) albeit only for one term as it was a fixed contract.

So unless they're seeking a unicorn(not impossible!), I don't really know what they're playing at here.

Would you reapply in this situation, or email them to ask if they can reconsider you? I am not sure what the etiquette is here?

Show quote history

If it doesn't say previous applicants can't apply, I'd just re-apply.

But it is really common for people to be shocked they're not right for a job when they're just not right. Don't be one of those people. If they genuinely don't want you, there will be a reason. It could well be they know you're above their pay grade and won't fit in, if they're a smaller/less well-known company - it's not necessarily that you weren't good enough. But 'not enough relevant experience' could easily be code for 'you've not worked for a little start-up like us and we think you will soon be out the door/will expect things to run the way they did in your old company,' couldn't it?

IDontHateRainbows · 02/12/2025 10:59

Ive had this before, they are likely just softening the blow.
I got feedback and they said I was too experienced and would outgrow the role. Looking back, they were absolutely right and I got a better job a few weeks later so thank God for that!

vincettenoir · 02/12/2025 11:01

PeatrixBotter · 02/12/2025 10:40

I haev done the exact same job before for very a reputable company (much more so than this one!) albeit only for one term as it was a fixed contract.

So unless they're seeking a unicorn(not impossible!), I don't really know what they're playing at here.

Would you reapply in this situation, or email them to ask if they can reconsider you? I am not sure what the etiquette is here?

Show quote history

I would contact them to find out more about why the role has been re-advertised personally. But re-applying would probably be just as easy given you’ve already done the prep.

NotableI · 02/12/2025 11:04

I don’t think you have anything to lose by reaching out.

Original poster
PeatrixBotter · 02/12/2025 11:06

SarahAndQuack · 02/12/2025 10:58

If it doesn't say previous applicants can't apply, I'd just re-apply.

But it is really common for people to be shocked they're not right for a job when they're just not right. Don't be one of those people. If they genuinely don't want you, there will be a reason. It could well be they know you're above their pay grade and won't fit in, if they're a smaller/less well-known company - it's not necessarily that you weren't good enough. But 'not enough relevant experience' could easily be code for 'you've not worked for a little start-up like us and we think you will soon be out the door/will expect things to run the way they did in your old company,' couldn't it?

Show quote history

Not impossible. I am over-qualified. And it is also possible they want someone who hasn't done it before-perhaps they have had issues with similar applicants and want someone to mold to their way of doing things. Or maybe they dislike the company I worked for? You never know with these things, I suppose.

OP posts:
Guidanceplease20 · 02/12/2025 11:07

I would say you've nothing to lose but, as.its possible the reason they gave you wasn't entirely true (which appears to be pretty normal) I wouldn't make it difficult for them to turn you down.

Something like you notice the role is being advertised again. You really enjoyed your time in interview with them and believe that xxx xxx xxx experience would make you a good fit. You are still looking for a role and if they'd like you to reapply you can do.so.

It's most likely they want a unicorn but their unicorn was possibly offered another role elsewhere or their main job increased their pay when they said they were going! So you've nothing to lose except, I guess, to feel a bit downhearted if they say no.

They may also have uploaded the advert incorrectly! My daughters job was still being advertised a year later when we looked for something else! They definitely weren't hiring.

Hurdygurdy123 · 02/12/2025 11:08

I'd apply again. Many, probably most, companies don't retain details of who they've interviewed if they didn't get through. Think about who interviewed you. If it was a recruitment agency or a junior HR person that's more reason to try again. I'd improve my CV to take account of what I'd learnt in the interview, perhaps make it look a bit different, in case they remember it, and go again.