Is applying for two jobs at the same company weird?

swain90 · 15 Nov 2017 at 13:30

Hi All,

I've found myself in a position where I'm about to be redundant...at some point (that's a story for another day)

I've come across a company which is within the same industry and has two job roles available, both of which I think I would enjoy, however is it weird writing a cover letter for two job roles?

It's been ~5 years since I last applied for a job so not sure if I should just pick the one which is slightly more desirable, or write it for both?

Any advice would be great!

Cheers

Swain90

CircleFaust · 15 Nov 2017 at 14:00

write for both they will pick which one they think suits you best

dowie · 15 Nov 2017 at 16:56

nah it is fine usually, presumably they're both similar-ish roles?

though I hope these are direct applications - if you've gone via a recruiter for one or via two different recruiters for each then you could have issues

d_brennen · 15 Nov 2017 at 17:10

I'd just note in the opening paragraph of the cover note that I'd be ideal for both roles and they'd be lucky to get me

HangTime · 15 Nov 2017 at 22:58

It would rightly or wrongly make me question whether the candidate really has a clear vision of what they want to do, or if they are just applying for all and sundry.

swain90 · 16 Nov 2017 at 08:19

Cover letter is currently 3 paragraphs, 1st is how generally awesome I am, 2nd is tailored around job 1 and 3rd is tailored around job 2. These applications are direct with the company.

Kenai · 19 Nov 2017 at 20:49

If they're fairly similar sure, if one is as an engineer and the other is a marketing administrator, then they'll think you've got no idea what you want and are treating it as a stop gap.

dowie · 20 Nov 2017 at 17:01

HangTime said:
It would rightly or wrongly make me question whether the candidate really has a clear vision of what they want to do, or if they are just applying for all and sundry.

surely that depends on whether the roles are sufficiently similar or not... I mean if both jobs require a java developer albeit for different teams and the OP is a java developer and really likes the company then it isn't unreasonable to apply to both java developer positions

though the OP does need to consider that he won't necessarily get a choice... it isn't uncommon for internal politics to apply and someone to be rejected for one role and accepted for the other (even if an offer could have ostensibly been put forth for both) simply because the hiring managers have come to a deal and one really wants the candidate... then again this can happen even if applying for one role as HR will sometimes forward CVs to other hiring managers too

HangTime · 21 Nov 2017 at 17:21

Fair comment (I'm currently recruiting two very similar roles and it would be logical for some candidates to apply for both), I was thinking more of different roles.

Semple · 21 Nov 2017 at 20:03

HangTime said:
It would rightly or wrongly make me question whether the candidate really has a clear vision of what they want to do, or if they are just applying for all and sundry.

It's a fair point, but i would suspect for most people it's not about finding a role that meets their exact level of skill, it's all about adapting to that role (assuming you also have the skills). You've also got to consider if you're coming from a position of redundancy then you can't be overly picky about it.

HangTime · 21 Nov 2017 at 22:44

That's kind of the point though, as an employer if someone is coming from a position of redundancy and not being overly picky then you wonder if they are really interested in the specific job or it is a case of any port in a storm - especially if they've applied from multiple different roles. What do they see themselves doing in the medium term? It may make sense to the candidate but the employer may have reservations about their longer term aspirations i.e. they just want to get any job to tide them over and then they will line up something more strategic.

danza · 25 Nov 2017 at 22:33

Between myself and managers of other departments at work, we get CVs through from people who could fit in design, production or project management all the time.

Mine is a medium firm where we all know each other, so I often bounce CVs off other managers in case they're interested. We also receive applications from people punting at multiple roles, and personally this hasn't put me off interviewing. If the roles are similar enough or you can demonstrate aptitude and experience in both areas if they are significantly different, then apply for both.