So you found a company that you love. The employer has everything you’re looking for— a sense of purpose, inclusion, flexibility, and more. You’re excited by the thought of being a part of that company!
You go to the job openings page, and there are multiple roles that match your skill set. Now you have to make a decision. Should you narrow down your options or apply to all of the roles that you feel qualified for?
Applying to multiple jobs at the same company
Our advice: Instead of applying for multiple positions, find the one role that most closely aligns with your past experiences and your current interests and spend your time making the very best application for that one role.
Employers love to know that you’re excited about their company, but, more importantly, they want to know that you’re going to do great work in the role that they give you. By focusing on one application, you can work on showcasing everything that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.
Choosing the right role to apply to at a company
If you have to pick one role from several options, it might leave you wondering which is the right choice.
As we mentioned, it’s important to balance your experience and your interests. You may have every single qualification that a company is looking for in a particular position, but if you don’t really have an interest in pursuing that career path, it might not be the best move. On the other hand, simply having an interest in a role without having any applicable skills likely won’t land you the job.
While you don’t necessarily have to meet all of the requirements in a job description, you should have some of the skills needed to do the job. Selling yourself to recruiters will come down to how you present your talents and job experience in your job application.
How to land an interview with your job application
So how can you be sure that you’ll make it to the next steps and land an interview? Of course, there is no one silver bullet that is guaranteed— but there are two big things that you can do to help your chances.
Tailor your resume to the qualifications of that role
You might be applying to jobs at several different companies. Be sure that you are tailoring your resume to each job that you apply for. This shows employers how you are aligned for the role and can fulfill their specific needs.
To tailor your resume:
- First, read the employer’s job description. Look for keywords and phrases related to the job skills and take note of requirements related to education, training, and certifications.
- Compare your current resume. How does the job description stack up against your current resume? Does it line up with the skills you already have listed? Are you using the keywords mentioned in the description? If not, you’ll need to make some adjustments.
- Adjust your work experience. Look for areas within your work experience where you can use keywords from the job description. For example, if the job description emphasizes collaboration, be sure to mention the collaborative nature of your past jobs or instances where you’ve worked as a team to accomplish a goal.
- Review your listed skills. Look over the hard and soft skills that you have listed on your resume. Include specific requirements that the employer is looking for, such as proficiency in operating a computer program or good communication, to name a few common ones.
Remember— never lie about your work history and experience. Tailoring your resume is about amplifying the skills that you already have and highlighting transferable skills from other types of experience.
Craft the perfect cover letter
You may hear otherwise, but many employers do indeed still read cover letters. In fact, four out of five hiring managers say that a well-written cover letter gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you are a great fit for the company you are applying for— even if it isn’t required.
The difference between a great cover letter and an okay cover letter can be getting to schedule an interview or a thank-you-for-your-interest email.
Take time to explain why you love the company and what you can do for the company in that role. Your cover letter is an opportunity to expand on experiences in your resume, explain any gaps that may raise questions, and convey your passions. It’s a great way to get recruiters interested in you, especially if you aren’t an exact match for the role but are looking to explore other career paths.
RELATED: 6 Cover Letter Introductions to Make a Great First Impression
Know that applying to one job at a company doesn’t limit you
Keep in mind that applying for one position doesn’t necessarily limit your ability to land other roles at the same company.
Even if you don’t get the job you originally applied for, recruiters who see your qualifications may feel that you’re a good fit for another position within the company. You may be asked if you are willing to learn about other open roles and end up interviewing for something a little different than you applied for.
Additionally, if you start in one role, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll stay in that position forever within the company. Many employers provide ample opportunities for their employees to grow in their careers and explore different paths.
Navigating job applications
Finding and applying to jobs can be hard. However, finding a company that you’re passionate about can make the task a little easier.
Here at JobSage, we’re setting out to build an employer review site around things that matter most to jobseekers— inclusion, growth, purpose, feedback, flexibility, and compensation. We want to help you find the right employer by getting answers to the questions you care about.
Join JobSage for guidance in your job search or to leave a review for your current employer to create a more open, transparent conversation in and around the workplace.