Applying for jobs

[djs]

What recent experience do people have with applying for new jobs? What if there are multiple jobs at a given company you might be interested in applying for; is it best to pick one to apply for (as opposed to applying for multiple jobs and appearing so desperate that you'd take anything)? How about if one can lead to another, would it be bad to say you're applying for the "higher" job, but are willing to take a "lesser" job as it might lead to growth and other opportunities with the company? Would your response be different if the "lesser" job was actually designed to be one that leads to a higher job?

 

[Andar]

I worked in HR for a large company for a number of years.
From our perspective, it was better that a person apply for each job (on a separate application). You can fill out one application, leave the postion blank, make good copies of it, then fill in the different positions on each application. Here is the reasoning;

We would have open recruitment for position "A". All applications that identify position "A" go into that screening procress, then interviews and background checks. Then the next day a clerk might be getting all the applications for position "B" ready. So the second application would also go in that file.

You would then be selected to interview for ANY position you have applied for in which you look qualified. The interview is the time to sell youself and identify your goals and willingness to start at any position. Let the first interviewer(s) know you really would like to work there and have also put in applications for "B" and "c" positions. This opens the door for discussing other opportunities and your desires.

This is just my experience and other companies may do it differently, but this method was the most successful for applicants that were interested in or lling to take a number of positions. Hope that helps.

Good Luck, and don't forget to write thank you notes and advise of any change in contact numbers. You would be surprised how many very qualified people missed out on job offers for these two reasons.