Should I apply for more than one job at one organisation?

[Silverbells79]

There is an organisation close to my current place of work that does a similar sort of thing. They are advertising multiple jobs all at the level/salary to which I would apply for promotion. However, I feel I have a good chance of five of the jobs they are advertising. Should I spread my chances of success for applying for all of them, but risk looking desperate, or should I just pick one, and risk not getting it, when I might have got one of the others, had I applied for it. They are jobs in the public sector, if that makes a difference.

TIA

[FairyChristmas]

I would apply using key words for the skills to cover all the jobs (only naming one job but stressing your skills in each area) then send it to both the person on one of the jobs and their HR office.

They will be able to see that you have abilities in all the areas without you actually applying for them all (this is not good practice).

Good luck!

[Sunnywithshowers]

It's difficult to tell without knowing which jobs you are applying for, and whether they are in different departments.

The disadvantage of applying for more than one is that you might come across as unfocused, and not knowing what you want to do. I once received an application applying for a job I was advertising and that advertised by another manager. TBF, I was pissed off that she hadn't made a decision.

I'd pick one (or two, if you must) and do a great application for that one, rather than several so-so applications.

[Sunnywithshowers]

Good luck ;)

[Silverbells79]

Thanks. All the applications must go to the same place so can't send to advertising manager plus manager. Had it been another organisation I think I would have done that. I will just apply for one and thinking about it and the way I have applied for jobs before this will make me more focused. Maybe if I am lucky enough to get an interview I can also demonstrate that I could be alternative roles too, without actually saying it. I know people who have applied for one job and been offered another, sometimes better, one. Whether this is always fair is another matter...!

[FairyChristmas]

I have worked in advertising for years, if you want any help with your application feel free to PM me.

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

I'd phone and ask for more information to help with the decision on which to apply for.


For example, is it different managers who will be shortlisting the different jobs? Will they actually cross reference? Probably not. So then you could get away with it. Ask to talk to someone about what they're looking for, that way you'll see which one you're most likely to get.