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Do you see a job reposted after an interview
Helen Oswald

Do you see a job reposted after an interview? What does it mean, and what can you do?

Artwork by: Antonina Kasyanikova

Interviewing for a job is stressful enough, but what happens if you find the job you interviewed for reposted? While you may initially panic and see this as a red flag, there could be other, less nefarious reasons. We’ll explain what it means and what you can do about it.

So, you got through your big job interview, and you're feeling like you nailed it. Then, while you’re studying the company website, you notice the exact same job reposted after your interview. It’s only natural to be wondering what this means, and what you can do about it.

The first thing to do is to stay calm. There are many reasons a company may repost a job after interviewing candidates, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The hiring process can sometimes be convoluted, with many factors causing delays and unforeseen circumstances. 

In this article, we’ll look at the reasons why a job might be reposted and how you can handle this tricky situation, including:

  • Why is a job reposted after an interview?

  • What can you do if a job is reposted after an interview?

  • Job reposted follow-up email template 

Statistical Insight

Average time to hire can vary according to industry, ranging from the construction sector taking just under two weeks to highly regulated sectors taking up to 67 days. Having an awareness of how the hiring process works in your specific industry can help you manage your expectations and be ready to follow-up at the right time.

Why is a job reposted after an interview?

When you see a job reposted after you attended an interview, you’ll likely assume it’s a rejection due to the employer having a change of heart. Sometimes this happens. A hiring manager may interview you, then realize that they actually need someone else with a different skill set.  

But, there are situations where a job is reposted for other reasons and it may not be the end of the road. Here’s some other scenarios to consider:

  • Additional roles. Large and rapid-growth companies may need to hire more than one person for the same role because the quantity of work requires additional staff. Reposting a role multiple times isn’t uncommon, especially if they’re looking for extra people to fill the same role.

  • Compliance matters. Companies may repost a job to comply with internal HR policies and protocols, such as advertising a role for at least 30 days on specific job platforms. Equal Employment Opportunity employers also may need to repost a job to consider a broader range of candidates and maintain their accredited status.

  • Widening the candidate pool. Hiring managers may be searching for more qualified or different applicants following the initial round of interviews. This can be more prevalent in highly specialized industries. Check the reposted job advert to see if this is slightly different from the original job posting, as this is a good indicator of this specific situation. 

  • Interview process incomplete. Delays can occur in the hiring process. Internal administrative matters may need attending to or key decision-makers might need to reach agreement on who is appointed. In these situations a job may be reposted until these issues are fully resolved. 

Do
  • Continue your job search even if you aced the interview. Until you have a written job offer in your hand, nothing can be certain.
  • Notify the hiring manager if you receive another job offer. Mention this in your follow-up email and ask for an update on the status of the reposted job.
Don't
  • Follow-up too much with an employer as you may be viewed as pushy. Send an initial thank-you email, then follow up once after that.
  • Be afraid to ask for constructive feedback if you find out that the reposted job has gone to another candidate. This will give you some tips for the future.

What can you do if a job is reposted after an interview?

Here’s some practical steps to follow when you’ve not heard back from the employer following an interview and then see the job reposted:

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1. Stay calm and professional

Your knee jerk reaction to seeing a job reposted after an interview may be to jump on the phone to the hiring manager or fire off an email to ask what’s going on. Taking a step back and staying calm can be easier said than done, but it’s important to give the employer a chance to reach out.

2. Check hiring timelines

When you meet with the hiring manager, make sure to ask about next steps at the end of the interview. Having a clear picture of hiring timelines will give you a good sense of when it’s appropriate to contact the prospective employer to follow up, particularly if this falls around the time the job is reposted.

3. Monitor job listings

Keeping an eye on job listings and company activity can help you stay updated on how things are progressing following your interview. Check the job posting to see if it’s still online, or if it has been updated or removed. You can also monitor LinkedIn and social media platforms for updates on the hiring process. 

Expert Tip

Send a personalized thank you email to the hiring manager following your interview. Thank them for their time and consideration as well as emphasizing your strong interest in the role and company. Mentioning an interesting topic that came up in the interview is a great way to personalize this communication.

4. Follow up with the hiring manager 

If you aren’t sure of hiring timelines and see a job reposted, try to wait at least two weeks before getting in touch with the hiring manager. Probably the best approach is to send an email thanking them for the opportunity to interview and inquire about the status of the job opening. If you prefer, you could have a polite conversation with the hiring manager over the phone.

What can you do if a job is reposted after an interview

Job reposted follow-up email template

Here’s an example of a follow-up email you can send if you see a job reposted and haven’t received an update in the last two or three weeks:

Example of a follow-up email

Subject: Following Up on [Job Title] Interview

Dear [Hiring Managers Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position and wanted to check in to see if there are any updates on the role. 

I remain extremely interested in joining the [Company Name] team and applying my [specific skill area] to contribute to your future goals {detail any specific goals discussed]. I believe that the position is a great fit for my skill set [detail why] and will enable me to be an asset on your team.   

Please let me know if you need any additional information to support my application, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Best regards,

[Your Name]

If you’ve seen a job reposted after an interview, it’s important to keep your job search on track. Check out Career.io’s Job Search Strategy to keep moving forward and elevate your job search.

Key takeaways

  1. Seeing a job reposted after an interview can be disappointing, but until you know the reason it’s best to take a step back and find out more.

  2. Factors such as requiring additional hires, complying with HR protocols, or delays in the hiring process could mean that you’re still in the running for the job opening.

  3. Sometimes things change. Recruiters may find they need candidates with different skills or more specialized experience so the job may no longer be a good fit for both parties.

  4. Stay positive, patient, and tenacious throughout this process. Check hiring timelines, monitor the situation, and follow-up at an appropriate time.

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