'I decided to test something': Qualified job candidate gets rejected, changes email and reapplies, ends up getting an offer

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Nov 20, 2025 8:00 AM EST

This job candidate cleverly managed to turn a rejection into an offer.

Anyone who has applied for jobs in the current market knows that it can be a challenge to stand out amid hundreds of identical-looking applications. We know all too well that there are automated filters that can immediately put you in the "no" pile before any actual human takes a look at what you have to offer. 

That's exactly what happened to this author, who wanted to work at this company for a long time and who had been applying for several positions within the company that he felt he could handle. He was rejected almost outright from every single one, despite being encouraged to re-apply each time. 

That's when an idea crossed his mind. Perhaps his profile was forever associated with having been rejected from all these openings. So, he decided to change his email address. That's all it took. Everything else remained virtually unchanged. Every detail of his resume continued to be an honest reflection of his work experience. However, this time around with a fresh email address, he managed to get an interview…. and then an offer!

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  • 01
    An interviewer looks through a document while talking to a candidate on the other side of the table.
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Of course, plenty of applicants would be too discouraged to reapply. Additionally, there are likely several folks out there who would have turned down the offer after finally getting one, out of sheer spite alone. Honestly, we wouldn't blame them either. If a human were sifting through all the applications and giving everyone a fair shot each time they reapplied for a position, no one would have to try to beat the system.

  • 02

    "[I] was rejected for a job I qualify for so I used a new email and immediately moved forward in the process?"

    Last month, I completed an interview with and they assured me I was a great fit for the position, however, I didn't get the job. I received the rejection email only after I followed up for a status update &
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    also received an email from a manager stating to keep applying because they like my background. So I've continued applying.
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    However, these last couple of weeks I've been applying, I haven't been receiving the assessments to complete (& hopefully move forward in the hiring process). I just keep getting rejected. So I decided to test something.
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    I created a new email + account w/ the company and reapplied to a job that I meet ALL qualifications. This time, I received the assessment IMMEDIATELY after submitting
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    the application. I also saw it was from the recruiter that interviewed me for the previous position in October.
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    Has anyone else experienced this too? Having to create a whole new account or email address and finally moving along in the interview process?
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    Lastly, has anyone ever interviewed with the same recruiter before? Was it awkward or did they remember you and continue on with the process like a professional?
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    UPDATE: Thank you for everyone who provided me with positive & helpful information. Not entirely sure why there are some negative comments like "give up" "they don't want you". Especially
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    because I just got an interview request from the company after using this new email. Will post another update after the interview to see if I get the job or not.
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    LAST UPDATE: Got a job offer! Interview process took a while (especially because of the holidays). I don't start until next year. Thank you again to everyone for the advice and encouragement to keep going.
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    chii30. My guess is that it flagged your email as someone who applied and didn't get an offer. So they have a setting that is auto rejecting these based on your login.
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    Unfortunately we don't know what settings the company has for their candidate portal.
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    [deleted] I remember I interviewed with them several years ago. They rejected me.
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    Funny enough, they started bombarding me with emails and physical mail flyers trying to get me to sign up for their credit cards immediately after the interview. It was relentless!
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    Legion1117 Your original account was flagged by the software to auto-reject anything after the first application was closed as "No." Welcome to Al employment.
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    [deleted] Make sure email isn't linked to any social media account or is searchable. Keep that walled off.
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    [deleted] This happened to my spouse and he even did like 4 interviews at the same place.
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    appliepie99. yeah a recruiter was ghosting me but once i applied again with a diff email she was asking for an interview :/
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  • 20
    An interviewer looks through a document while talking to a candidate on the other side of the table.
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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