Would this look utterly desperate?

[ChangeEmai1Address]

I interviewed with a small company 18 months ago. They emailed me to say that they thought I would be great at the job but they were going with someone who already knew the ins and outs of the company - so a sort of internal hire - grand, I completely understand, disappointed but get that.

No other jobs have come up yet, but would I be crazy to email and say 'Hello, remember me? I still love your company and have lots of ideas and if you every have any other contract work would you consider me?' Or is that too pushy because if they do put another contract out they would just advertise?

I find this stuff hard because on the one hand, you have to go after stuff, but also I remember a place I worked at previously had a woman who asked for a job a couple of times and the manager said it put her off her. So I have applied and now asking 18 months later, is that too much?

Could you style it out more? Say you’d love some advice on a role you’re considering, would value their insights. Then when on the phone say you had always felt you’d learn so much from them. Say it without saying it.

Small company, not recruiting? It is unlikely to come to anything but nothing to lose by dropping them a note.

are you currently employed?

Don’t do this fgs

a small company and the op asking them for careers advice

please ignore op

In our place someone was interviewed that was very promising but decided to withdraw their application and someone else was hired.
Several months later they got in touch just saying ‘if anything came up could we keep them in mind’ and management got in touch a couple of weeks later and took them on.

If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Would I be crazy to email and say 'Hello, remember me? I still love your company and have lots of ideas and if you every have any other contract work would you consider me?

No you wouldn't be crazy. It's a good idea. Maybe mention some other recent relevant experience or new qualification you've done or mention something they've done recently. Don't ask them for career advice.

As long as you manage your expectations on a positive reply from them (unlikely but worth a punt) it is not desperate.

I am freelance, so I am doing various bits but this would be a long term contract doing the hours I want and the work I love! I have all the experience and they basically told me that, but this person knew the company better. I reckon I could smash the role with them but obviously if they don't have any other contacts available. In the last 18 months I have done even more that I think would benefit.

I have pitched loads before but never for a contract like this where a particular position is filled and I just don't know where the line of being weird and showing interest is! Obviously if they don't have the role, they don't have the role, but I would love it if they would think of me before advertising the contract if it comes up again, you know? Or even if they have a few extra hours.

Thanks @FKAT and @ItsNeverNoReason , I think I will then. I am not expecting anything to happen now, just in the future hopefully. I also don't want to sound like 'I could have done better than the one you hired, so when I mention I have ideas I don't want it to sound like I am being arrogant!

As a hiring manger in a small company do NOT do this. I’d never open an email from you again, frankly.

What I will say is that I interviewed someone two years ago who didn’t get the role but has applied for another role we’re now recruiting for and detailed in her cover letter that she’s kept an eye on the business as she’s interested in working for us (including referencing a change we’ve made to the business in the past year) which has made me inclined to interview her again this time. It’s the little attention to detail.

I don’t think 18 months is too to soon OP, go for it. If nothing comes of it then nothing lost.

Since the intervening 18 months have you carried on doing bits and pieces? Or do you have something to show what you have achieved in the last 18 months?

Op drop them a quick line, but don’t be disappointed if no word and just keen an eye on if they start recruiting again.

Please don’t take PP advice of asking them for careers advice!

they aren’t recruiting

so when you say go for it… what are you referring to @CheeseWisely

Im usually the first to say dont be the crazy candidate emailing a company after a rejection but in this instance its not a bad idea, sufficient time has passed since the initial no that it doesn't look like you're begging them to reconsider. Probably they aren't hiring and it'll come to nothing but you never know.

I am a small business owner and would really appreciate this kind of contact. I wouldn’t find it pushy at all.

I have done things that would be beneficial to them and have developed more ideas, so I can definitely highlight that work. I am expecting them to say 'Thanks but we're not recruiting right now' I just want to be in the back of their minds should they need someone again, I haven't found a job role that suits me better since that one in the last 18 months but I get that if they were needing someone they would have advertised for sure.

I’d be flattered to receive an email like this.

Thank you everyone, I will craft an email that is light and breezy! But no expectations, of course.

Go for it then
good luck!

Based on what would you never again open an email from that person?

I have done it - thanks all. If nothing else, hopefully it makes them feel good!