Applying for a job for the third time
August 22, 2012 11:50 AM   Subscribe

I want to apply for a job with a small organisation. This would be my third time to apply in three years. How should I approach it?

Two and a half years ago, I applied for Job X with a company I'd really like to work for. I had an interview, but they offered the job to an applicant with a more diverse skill set.

A year and a half ago, the company had an opening for Job Y, which was also a good match for me. I applied, but was not invited for an interview. In my cover letter, I mentioned that I had applied for Job X a year earlier.

The interview for Job X was okay, but it wasn't the best I've ever done. I just wasn't on top of my game. However, I don't know how the interviewers felt about the interview, and I don't know if that influenced my eligibiilty for Job Y.

This is a very small organisation, and while Jobs X and Y are in different departments, I wouldn't be suprised if the hiring managers spoke (especially because I specifically mentioned that I applied for Job X).

I know that the people who interviewed me for Job X are still with the company.

Now, Job X has opened up again and I'd really like to apply. (I can legitimately say that my skill set is more diverse now.) However, I'm not sure how to approach the cover letter. Do I mention my applications for Jobs X and Y?

I'm definitely worried about seeming desperate, weird, etc.
posted by anonymous to Work & Money (3 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I wouldn't worry about job Y but I would say "I interviewed with Ms.B and Mr.R for job X when it was open in 2009" and then definitely specify the relevant skills you've gained in the interim. No worries about applying to the same place, I have applied multiple times to an organization I strongly believe in because of the work they do, even though I am happy where I am. Just say in the cover letter something about why you want to work for that organization.
posted by headnsouth at 12:19 PM on August 22, 2012 [2 favorites]


I agree with headnsouth, and I think it's actually a plus that you remain interested in this job and this organization. It doesn't seem desperate or weird (unless you've been sending them weekly emails or something), it seems like an indication that you are genuinely interested and will be more likely to stick around than the previous person who had Job X. In fact, I would point out your continued interest in the cover letter.
posted by chickenmagazine at 2:58 PM on August 22, 2012


Applying more than once to the same company is pretty normal. It's not weird or stalkerish. It's what you do when a particular firm is especially attractive to you.

I probably wouldn't mention having applied previously in my cover letter. Cover letters exist to get you an interview and I would clue them in that they've passed on you once for the job. If it comes up in the interview, that's fine.
posted by 26.2 at 4:12 PM on August 22, 2012


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