Hi,I have a question about applying to a big consulting firm when my application was unsuccessful in the last 6 months.I had applied to a consulting firm and I was unsuccessful in the 2nd round though I was not happy with the decision as I didnt feel that my competancy was properly tested and I was asked irrelevant questions. I asked the recruiter if I can apply again and she said yes if there is a vacancy.Now theres a vacancy in the same company for an almost similar role. But when I try to apply it asks me to create a new account on their site if I havent applied in past or use existing one if I have applied. I am not sure what should I do.If I create a new one and I am invited to an interview etc will they kick out if they do any checks and find that I had already applied...or is it safe to be honest and use my account (which contains all the mail correspondence with them and tells that I have been unsucessful) to apply. This risks me not even going past the screening as they will see my past history.Replies awaited. Thanks

If it's any help, I was rejected once by PwC and then applied again in the same area and was successful a year or so later. I then went on to have successful career there for many years before leaving them. So I guess I am saying be up front and don't try to hide anything.

I once applied to a well-known IT consulting company and was asked if I had ever applied to its 'sister company' (another very well known firm at the time). Basically as soon as you answered 'yes', you were asked of the result. I got the impression that if you failed one, you failed both. Also, when subsequently interviewing again with the same firm years later, I just have this feeling that they somehow know about my previous rejections. It does make me wonder how much they keep on file in their database. It's really irritating.

What have you done in the intervening period that makes you a better candidate?

Got 3 years experience with a MBB outfit...(and pre-empting your next question, the reason was that I wanted less travel and weekend work)

Thanks all for your replies.I must make a point that the difference between me applying again is just few months, but I do not feel the first rejection was right as the interview was only for 20 mins when it was supposed to be for 1 hr.Anyone with similar experiences? Your suggestions please.

Stargazer, I would leave the 'unfair' interview last time out of it. If you bring it up it will look like sour grapes. I suggested above that you should focus on why you are a better candidate than a few months ago (but someone else thought I was talking to them!)

Sometimes, if you change your name and use a different address (maybe use your middle name and your parents address) it means they can't locate you on their database, so any previous rejections won't be spotted. An easy way of shaking off baggage. Hehe.

What about your work and academic history? Oh yeah, and your NI number. And your face/voice, when you meet the same interviewers?

Anon,Thanks for the reply...I know that statement can give a sour grape kind of impression...so I drop it.Coming to the point of changing the name etc, that is fine....but I they track all apps online and I have created a user id with an email...I can change my name to reflect something else...but when I apply for a job they ask me if I have already applied then to use existing login or to create a new one.If I use existing then they can def see all the history as it says I was unsucessful. If I create a new one and if I assume I am succesful...they might know it later during background checks or if same person interview me...so its tricky both ways.