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When I was in my MLS program a few years ago, I applied for an entry level job at a large university across the country. It was a great job, and it would have been a great fit for me. I was offered the position at the same time I was offered a similar job at a nearby library.
I turned down the far away job (which was really a dream job in a dream place), in large part because of the logistics of moving and a slightly lower salary offer, but also because my family, at the time, wanted to stay put, and taking the second job meant not moving.
Now, a couple of years later, that place I turned down has an amazing job available. A bit out of my reach, actually: I meet the requirements but not all the preferred stuff. It's not entry level, but a coordinator position, and would be a great opportunity for us. Plus now my family will be more willing to move (we've actually moved since we first turned down the dream job, but I'm trying not to get too complicated here).
So, I want to apply to a place I turned down. Will they look at my resume and remember me fondly? I did have a great experience when I applied there and know for sure I'd really like working for the person who'd be my supervisor. Or will they suspect I'm not serious? And how can I convince them that this time I mean it?
Thanks!
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I think the best approach would be a address this in your cover letter. Just say more or less what you said here -- explain why you turned down the offer before, and that things have changed in the meantime, and you are now ready to make the big move. All you really can do is be honest about it and hope for the best.
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I do not know if I would even mention it. That is the type of thing that would come up in an interview. As it is not directly relevant to the new position, I would not bring another variable into the game. If an employer is being honest about you, they will not hold a grudge if you took the best job for you (unless you strung them along for long time or backed out after accepting).
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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I had this happen -- I applied for a part-time job at a local library just before graduation, and was offered the position after I'd already accepted a full-time position elsewhere. Several years later I applied for their assistant director position without mentioning the previous application. I got called back for a second interview, so don't think it was an issue during the process :). So, I'm not sure I'd mention it -- but you might have a better idea how that particular institution would take it after your previous experience and having some sense of the personality of the person who would be your supervisor.
Rachel Singer Gordon / rachel@lisjobs.comFind a library job: http://www.lisjobs.comThe Liminal Librarian: http://www.lisjobs.com/blog
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What if you are applying again to an organization that previously turned YOU down due to "insufficient experience"? At this point you now hold the required number of years of experience and the same job is posted again. Would you re-apply?
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Thanks, all, for the input. I'm still undecided on how to address this in the cover letter, if at all. It's the same library system, but a different unit. But there's a good chance there'd be at least one of the same people on the committee... and since I try to be specific in my cover letter about why I'm interested in the institution, it would seem strange, to me, not to address it. Hmm. I have a few weeks to mull this over. Thanks again.
Balaff, to answer your question: yes, absolutely. I applied for a job a few years ago where I didn't even make the first round of phone interviews. They had a failed search and reposted the job with a slightly different description. I didn't reapply because I figured if they wanted me, they would have interviewed me the first time. Then they contacted me to ask me to apply! And I got a quick interview and job offer. So, yes, you are a very different candidate now than you were even a year or two ago. Good luck!
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balaff12 wrote:What if you are applying again to an organization that previously turned YOU down due to "insufficient experience"? At this point you now hold the required number of years of experience and the same job is posted again. Would you re-apply? If you meet their qualifications, why would you not re-apply.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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