Do companies ever really look at old resumes from people they rejected when trying to fill a position?

Question

When you get a rejection letter, it invariably states somewhere that they are going to hold on to your resume for a certain period of time and keep you in mind for future openings. Is this statement just tacked on to make you feel less bad, or do some of them actually follow through with this promise?

Answer 1

The answer is "In some cases, but not often"

It really depends on how desperate they are. Going back to old resumes is a very time consuming task for the HR department. A lot of time the candidate has moved, new phone numbers, not interested in a new job any more etc. The HR person often ended up calling a bunch people and gets very little result.

However, some companies do go back to look at old candidates. This happens more often for smaller companies than large ones. Large companies not only has a lot more past candidates to go through therefore cost them more to do it (see previous paragraph), but also constantly receiving new candidates and therefore don't really bother looking back to old ones. Unless you are in a niche field, the chances are your resume wouldn't get look at again.

As you move higher up in your career, it is very helpful to find an executive recruiter who will work with you. A good executive recruiter not only helps you in salary negotiation but also prevent situation as you described.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

This is a great question. I have always wondered this myself. I have never gotten a call back for the another open job after I have been rejected by a company and it was "kept on file". It kind of gives you a false hope actually. In my opinion, if a new position is available...they will probably look for a new candidate pool unless the recent hire is not working out within a month or less.

Addendum:
I agree with the below poster..it is possible they might call you back for another position though if they did not send you an official rejection letter.

Answer 3

Yes for a couple of reasons. One is that the applicant hired may not work out and placing of a new ad and re-interviews are costly to a company.
Secondly, in most states you required to keep applications on file for a certain amount of time, thus when a new position is opened why not take the ones you have if someone appears capable.

Answer 4

even if you didn't get the job, it doesn't mean you won't be able to get a position there. if you did really really well on the job interview, they might remember you and consider you for another position that might be more of what you want. i didn't get a rejection letter, but i had applied to a position with a company but they didn't call me back for an interview--which is kind of like rejection. then a month later, the same company called me to tell me about another position and interviewed with them. i don't know if i got the job yet... i just interviewed on thursday. but as long as you made some sort of impression on the HR people, but not enough to get the job, you can still be considered.

Answer 5

Nah -- I think they hold onto them because this way they have "backup" if the person they initially selected is a dud. I don't think they truely care about hurting a persons feelings by rejecting their application/resumes.

Answer 6

I constantly stated I by no potential might, yet I have been given somewhat under the impression of alcohol one evening and it did no longer appear like a foul thought. properly, it replace into through fact I have been given addicted at recent! i like cigarettes plenty now, yet they do no longer handle me so properly. I basically ruined a date with an spectacular guy through fact i necessary a smoke. He found it unattractive to make sure and scent me smoking. His smile went away as quickly as I took out my cigarettes.

Answer 7

Into the round file it goes. You will never hear from them again.

Answer 8

douht it