An average of 62% of job seekers get at least one interview by their tenth application. While you’re searching for your new career, you may find yourself viewing various opportunities at one company and conclude that the more jobs you apply for, the more chances you’ll have to get hired.
So, should you apply to multiple jobs at the same company? The short answer is that it is okay to do so. There are certain benefits to applying to the same company.
However, you can’t simply throw your resume at all of the positions they have and hope something sticks. Read the job descriptions and apply to the different roles only if you’re qualified.
Benefits
As with anything in life, there are pros and cons to applying to multiple positions within the same company. Let’s talk about the benefits.
Company Size
Larger companies have different departments and a bigger array of hiring managers. This means there are more opportunities for you to get your resume seen. However, each time you apply for a new position, it is important that every cover letter and resume is tailored toward that specific position.
If the company is smaller, the hiring manager may be the same person for each open position. It’s not unheard of for a hiring manager at a small company to interview someone and ask the candidate if they’re interested in another role.
Exposure
If you are applying for one position in particular, then that can limit your resume’s exposure to other hiring managers. Often, they don’t communicate with each other. This is especially true at larger companies. Each hiring manager is responsible for filling the roles within their department. Which means they only see the resumes that come in for their own positions.
This makes submitting more than one application/resume a great idea. You will be seen by more hiring managers within the company. Again, it is imperative to only apply to those roles that you’re qualified for.
Contact
Connecting with the recruiter will establish your interest as valid and allow you the opportunity to explain why you are submitting a resume for more than one position. This will ensure you are noticed for both your eagerness and resourcefulness.
In some cases, you may need to reach out to the human resources department and make them aware of your interest. Be sure to explain what makes you feel qualified for each position that you apply for. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You can also use your cover letter to discuss the reasons why you are applying to multiple roles. Perhaps the company is your dream company–the cover letter is a perfect place to indicate that.
Disadvantages
If done properly, applying to multiple roles within a single company can net some great benefits. There have even been stories about someone accepting a position and then hearing from a hiring manager in a different department months later. On the other hand, there can be some major disadvantages to applying for multiple roles within one company.
Wrong Impression
Hiring managers may assume that you are applying to any and everything when they see that you’ve submitted multiple applications at the same time. Employers need to know that you are focused on your career, and not just on getting whatever is available.
It’s important that it doesn’t seem like you’re wasting anyone’s time. You don’t want anyone to mistake motivation for desperation. When you’ve answered “yes” to should I apply for multiple jobs at the same company, tell them why.
It’s also worth considering that aside from the hiring managers’ objective to fill an open position, it is also their objective to remove candidates from their list of potentials. If you apply for multiple positions in the same company, it’s best to limit them to two or three.
Can Cause Doubt
The last thing that you want to do is have a future employer doubt your intent. When you’re applying to more than one job opportunity within the same company, it can appear as though you’re indecisive and don’t even know what you want to do. They want to be assured of your commitment.
They may also infer that you are insecure about your capabilities. If they think that you need to take time to figure out what it is you’re good at, they can lose interest, especially if it’s not an entry-level opportunity. Make sure that your resume extols your skills for each job that interests you so there can be no uncertainty about your qualifications.
Singular job offers
Some companies will only make a singular job offer. If you’re applying for multiple career opportunities, you could miss out on the job opportunity you truly wanted. Recruiters can access your profile, and they will research any previous interactions before making an offer. By applying to the roles that you are truly qualified for, you will increase your chances of getting a job offer that is right for you and right for the company.
Key takeaways
People rarely meet all the qualifications of a particular job; however, if you know how to do what the company wants you to do, then it is okay to apply for more than one role at the same company.
Always read the job description thoroughly before applying to a new role. Remember to explain some of your reasoning in the cover letter and try to network or connect with the hiring manager and recruiter.
When you find that you meet the qualifications of multiple roles, it’s time to get your resume ready.
You’ll need a document that gets past the Applicant Tracking System and impresses the hiring manager. Always Typing Resumes has been helping clients do this for years. It would be a great honor to be a part of your career journey, too.
