Applying for multiple positions w/ same company (employee, alternative, interviewing)
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I've heard that applying to multiple positions with the same company is bad juju. I would think this shows your intrest in working with that company, as long as you are applying to positions that you qualify for.
Can anyone explain why this is bad practice?
It depends on the company, but the fear is that both departments may want to hire you and cause tension between the 2 hiring managers if they start to bid for you. Companies do not want their own managers bidding against each other for the same person.
I was interviewing for a position before with a company and was interested in another position. I talked to the HR person about it and she said they avoided that for the reason I gave you. She told me to wait to see what happens with the first position first, and if it doesn't work out or if I decide it's not for me, then she will submit me for the other role.
I can tell you that my company would never get in a "bidding war" over an internal employee. We have pretty strict salary rules for internal transfers (I don't agree with those rules at all - but I can't do anything about that).
As for just applying for multiple positions, I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with it as long as you were truly qualified for both and weren't just going for any job that was posted. I would certainly limit it to two positions at that.
I would say it is better to apply for as many positions as possible.
If you have a 2% chance for any one job and you apply to ten jobs, that means you have about a 1 in 5 chance of getting at least one of those jobs. Those odds trump the remote chance two hiring managers will prevent you from getting any job.
I do think you need to be somewhat judicious in your applying. If the hiring manager is keeping records of applications and resumes received, you don't want your record to reflect poorly on you. You don't want your record to look like you are taking the 'spray and pray' approach to job seeking.
Applying for jobs requiring different years or kinds of experience, and applying for jobs in multiple cities, is probably going to count against you. I.e., if you apply for a job that requires "5+ yrs exp" and then next month apply for a job with the same company that requires "10+ yrs exp", they will likely assume that you've either exaggerated your suitability for the latter job, and/or are over qualified for the former. They may consider you for neither. If you apply for a job in a legal department first and then for a job in a marketing department, they will wonder where your true interest lies. They might buy that you are willing to relocate if you apply for a job in your current location and another, but if you apply for jobs in three or four different cities, they'll probably assume you aren't genuinely interested in any of them.
I would (and have) limit myself to no more than three active applications at any one time. If the company has a 'general submission' option where you can upload your resume or profile without applying to a specific opening would be a good alternative, if the company offers that option on their website. If not, take note of how long your application or resume remains active for, and apply for more jobs only after your previous applications have expired. And if there's a job that you are somewhat qualified for but it's not a great match, you might consider holding off, rather than 'wasting' your chance on something that isn't your ideal job.
I've heard that applying to multiple positions with the same company is bad juju. I would think this shows your intrest in working with that company, as long as you are applying to positions that you qualify for.
Can anyone explain why this is bad practice?
It makes you look too eager. It can reflect badly on you, especially if your current boss/bosses find out, which can readily happen. People talk, after all.
I would say it is better to apply for as many positions as possible.
If you have a 2% chance for any one job and you apply to ten jobs, that means you have about a 1 in 5 chance of getting at least one of those jobs. Those odds trump the remote chance two hiring managers will prevent you from getting any job.
Externally, perhaps. Different companies wouldn't know who is who.
But internally, IMO, is a different ball game. It's the same HR recruitment and selection officers who see the resume/CV. It's also the same HR administrative staff that input the applications in the HR information system. Excessive applications can sour one's reputation internally.
It makes you look too eager. It can reflect badly on you, especially if your current boss/bosses find out, which can readily happen. People talk, after all.
Every company I have worked for requires an employee to notify their current boss before applying for another internal position.
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