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LanyrdSkynrd [comrade/them, any] @hexbear.net

Should I apply for 2 jobs at the same employer?

I need to find a job in the next few months. I'd been eyeing a particular part time position that would be really good for me, but I procrastinated a bit. When I got my resume and cover letter together, the job had disappeared from indeed and their website.

The same organization had a somewhat similar position still open, but with full time hours. I'm coming back into the workforce after 15+ years on disability, so I prefer part time at least to start. But the part time job was gone, so I reworked the cover letter and submitted it for the full time position.

This morning I checked and the part time position is back on both sites and says, "Hiring multiple candidates". These jobs have been open for over 6 motnhs, this is a hard area to hire in, especially given the wages.

The full-time position doesn't have any contact information listed, so there's nobody I can email and say, "Would you also consider me for (other position)?". It's not a large organization. I'd be surprised if the hiring manager was even a different person, but only the part time listing had contact information listed.

Should I just submit for the other position? Or wait and see if I get an interview/hired before applying for the other? I get the impression that they'd rather fill the full-time position, and it's a better fit for my resume/skills. I don't think it would look good to immediately apply for the part-time position after selling myself as the perfect person for the full time.

They haven't even had 1 business day to consider my first application. Indeed says they normally respond within 1 business day, but I don't know how trustworthy that is.

So, should I apply or wait a bit?

10 comments

  • Just apply. They might not even read your application for both roles, or any of them

    Also, maybe different recruiter/hiring manager assigned to each role

  • I would apply for both. you never know how silo'd shit like that can be inside an organization or what HR barriers might exist between the considering you for both jobs when you only applied for one.

    so if you apply for both and the question is asked "why you do that?", say you would accept either, but have a professional/rising star-sounding reason why you would prefer part time in your back pocket.

    like you are evaluating some professional development opportunities, specialized training/night school, I dunno, whatever might jive with the organization... and that if both positions are offered, you would like to keep some flexibility/capacity for pursuing those opportunities.

    • so if you apply for both and the question is asked "why you do that?", say you would accept either, but have a professional/rising star-sounding reason why you would prefer part time in your back pocket.

      Yeah, that a good idea. I could say I want free time to finish my bachelor's degree online. I'll have to come up with some degree that doesn't make them think I'd be leaving for some other job.

      • totally. the basic BA in the US used to be liberal studies/liberal arts. you could always frame it like you want to finish as a personal goal ("get a college degree") to keep it vague. it also sounds good too, like you would be open to taking on more hours down the road whenever you "finish" and you would potentially be an applicant for some promotion down the road too. HR types love the story that they are hiring someone who will grow and mature into the organization as it evolves.

        all that shit could happen, theoretically, so it's not total b.s. remember: it's not a lie, if you believe it. 👑😎

  • I think it can't hurt to apply to the part time position as well. If nothing else, it does show you're interested in the area that the jobs are in, so it leaves a good impression. Good luck comrade!

  • Yes. There may be two different recruiters, and if you interview you can also talk about how you applied for the other position because you just would love to work for the company so much.

10 comments