Should You Apply For Two Jobs At The Same Company?
The present job market puts unending pressure on job searchers. You can spend hours looking through job boards and using your professional network searching for open positions that both match your professional objectives and that you are qualified to fill. At the point when you discover a company’s website with various openings your first impulse is to apply to every one of them but this can hurt your chances of getting an interview.
Whenever an organization posts several fascinating open positions, it tends to be enticing to apply for every one of them in the expectation that this will lead to an interview. There can be situations in which this strategy works, however more often than not it is ideal to apply just for a single job.
There’s no rule against applying to different positions at the same organization. However, it’s difficult to predict how any given organization may react. Some may consider it to be a way of trying to swindle the system and pass you up for all of the opportunities. Others may consider it as you expressing genuine interest. Along these lines, it is acceptable to apply for various positions with the same organization, but you must do so wisely.
Generally, try not to apply for more than two jobs at the same organization simultaneously. This is a good guideline to follow to ensure you are not mistaken as overzealous or obnoxious, while still giving you an opportunity at securing an interview for one job or the other.
How to better your chances when applying for multiple jobs at the same organization
The conventional school of thought recommends that during a job search the more applications you complete, the better your odds of getting a job. While this might be true for applications for various organizations, recruiting specialists suggest restricting the number of applications you submit to a single organization. Here are the steps to take when applying for multiple roles at one organization:
- Figure out what you need to do.
- Identify your qualifications.
- Establish how many jobs fit.
- Utilize the 80% principle.
- Tailor your applications.
- Contact the hiring manager.
Figure out what you need to do
Job seekers toward the beginning of their career may not know precisely what they need to do yet. This can prompt submitting applications to any job or at any organization, paying little heed to the job responsibilities or essential qualifications. Consider what intrigues you and what you’re good at to help you select the right role. Write your findings down in a list.
Identify your qualifications
Make a list of all your qualifications—both education and work experience—that you have for potential positions. Ask your former professors, instructors, managers, or colleagues what your strongest skills are. Consider what skills you have, both hard and soft skills. Utilize this information to see which role allows you to excel.
Establish how many jobs fit
Take the list you made in steps one and two. Compare those with the numerous job postings you are considering within one organization. Dismiss any posting that doesn’t match your list.
Utilize the 80% principle
If you have more than one job posting before you, the time has come to utilize the 80% rule. It says that if you meet 80% of the qualifications listed for the job, you ought to submit your application. However, if you don’t meet some essential qualifications like language fluency or citizenship that can’t be rapidly or easily changed, consider not applying regardless of whether you meet 80% of the rest of the qualifications.
Tailor your applications
Tailor your resume, introductory letter which is your cover letter, and any other application documents for every specific job. Add relevant education and work experience to your resume. You have to write that you are applying for different positions within the organization in your introductory letter. Explain why you are qualified for each specific role. You may even consider addressing the fact that you’re applying to different positions directly in the cover letter so as you can be as transparent as possible.
Contact the hiring manager
Reach out to the hiring manager or the HR division and explain that you are submitting different applications and why. It is ideal to be upfront about applying for different positions in the same company. Tell them you feel qualified for multiple roles and have applied in that capacity. This shows drive and demonstrates that you truly think you would do well in one of several open positions and you are not just applying to every position you come across paying little attention to qualifications.
In summary, make a list of your qualifications and experience. Compare this list with the various occupation postings that you’re thinking about applying for. Presently, apply the 80% standard: which job postings do you meet 80% of the qualifications for? If there are postings listed that you don’t have 80% or more of the qualifications, skip them. This should help narrow down your decisions to a couple of postings that truly fit you best. If you have more than two, use your best judgment and reduce the list.
You should determine always that you satisfy the main qualifications and prerequisites before you go after any job. Focus on the positions where you will be a solid competitor based on your skills and work experience.
Why it is not advisable to apply to multiple positions at the same company
The disadvantage of applying to multiple positions simultaneously at the same organization is that when done inadequately, it sends the message that you are a disorganized, frantic applicant. Applying to a wide range of jobs sends the message that you are desperate for any option. Each employer wants to believe they are the top choice for job applicants, not that they are the least choice.
Hiring managers dislike job applicants who practice ‘spray and pray’ (which is sending your resume anywhere and everywhere in the hope that one will land and get you an interview). Applying for roles you are not qualified to fill may just be a waste of time. Once an applicant is identified as a nuisance, their applications will be filtered out in the ATS, so the hiring team never sees them again.
