Ann Israel is the legal profession's Dear Abby. A New York legal recruiter since 1979, Ann is a past president of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants. Advice for the Lawlorn is updated every Tuesday.

Q: What is the etiquette for reapplying to a firm that you previously interviewed with but were not offered the job? Are you forever "persona non grata" with that firm?

Dear Persona: Wow! That is a tough question -- but, certainly, a good one. I hesitated when deciding whether to answer this question because there are so many variables to consider before making the decision whether or not to approach a firm that previously rejected you.

When you are dealing with a recruiter, it is a bit easier to approach this situation because, obviously, the headhunter is able to speak with someone at the firm or corporation and inquire whether or not you are eligible for coming back to be interviewed again.

Eligibility depends on a number of factors. The main factor is, of course, why you were not offered the job the first time around. If the reason is that you were a strong candidate, but a proverbial coin was tossed, and the other person won, well then, by all means you should be coming back into the job pool there. In fact, the firm will most likely be thrilled that you would still be interested in applying for a position.

However, if you were rejected due to grades, then that is something that hasn't changed, and it will have been noted on their computer and will be brought up when they check your name against their records. In a situation such as this, you won't even get past the front door again but, instead, will receive a letter basically saying: "thanks, but no thanks."

Now let's say that the last time you interviewed at this firm all of the partners really liked you except for one cranky old goat. Again, this will have been noted on their computer, and there is a chance that you might very well be brought back in and given another round of interviews.

My experience has been mixed in this type of situation. I have listened very carefully to my candidates' version of events and based on this recollection, I can make a determination whether or not it is realistic to resubmit a candidate to this particular firm.

Quite frankly, when you have a headhunter -- or an agent -- representing you, there really is no harm at all to have this person make a call to see if the firm would be interested in meeting with you again. The worst thing that can happen is that the firm says no.

And I suppose that the same holds true if you submit your resume yourself to a firm that has rejected you in the past. What's the worst thing that can happen? The firm sends you that dreaded "thanks,  but no thanks" letter. Oh, I suppose you might not hear from them at all, but that, really, is the same thing as a rejection letter, except then you should be happy that you aren't working there!

And on the other hand, by having someone call for you, or by submitting that resume yourself, what if ... just what if ... the phone rings and that firm is on the other end of the phone and invites you in for an interview. You never know unless you try!

Best wishes!

Sincerely,
Ann Israel
President, Ann Israel & Associates