Multiple applications show desperation
Hiring and dating games share common pitfall
A company for which you’d love to work has several openings. Whatever you do, don’t apply for all of them.
Spamming a personnel department with numerous applications will decrease your chances of a callback, according to one national human resources expert.
Over-applying appears sloppy and unfocused, said Cheryl Hyatt of Hyatt Fennell executive search firm in Conway, Pennsylvania.
“By telling a hiring manager that you can imagine yourself in numerous different positions, you don’t help your case that you’re the perfect fit for one of them,” Hyatt said. “Just because you could do them all, doesn’t mean that you’re a strong candidate for each of them.”
Area human resources experts agree — with some exceptions.
Said Mike Crandall of Sandler Training of Oklahoma, “Hiring managers generally shy away from desperate people. As one of our long-term clients who uses us for help in hiring once told me, ‘No wants to go out with the desperate girl or guy; at least not for too long.’”
Many HR departments often won’t forward resumes or applications of candidates who seem desperate, Crandall said.
“They commonly worry about making a bad fit, so they shy away from forwarding, on the risk of if they send the candidate to Manager No. 1 and he/ she disqualifies them, it’s hard to then forward to Manager No. 2 and so on,” he said.
“We coach candidates to be more intentional, specific and focused about what they’re looking for — rather than ‘I’ll take anything,’” Crandall said. “HR departments and hiring managers tend to have much more respect for employees who have some focus and direction on what and where they want to go.”
Gayla Sherry, president of Gayla R. Sherry Associates Inc. human resources consulting firm in Edmond, concurs. An applicant who applies for “any position” is a challenge for recruiters, Sherry said.
“If the applicants are unable to target their skills to meet the specific needs of the hiring organization, they will likely not be seriously considered, if at all,” Sherry said.
Further, many applicant tracking systems — used by government contractors and other larger organizations — are programmed for specific open positions and not “any position,” Sherry said.
Exception to the rule
Conversely, Linda McKown, vice president at James Farris Associates human resources and outplacement firm, believes there are times when it makes sense to apply for multiple jobs with a company.
McKown said she’s had several clients who’ve applied for more than one position they had thoroughly researched at companies at which they dreamed of working. For example, a candidate with a human resources background may truly qualify for jobs both in recruiting and benefits, she said.
“It’s always preferable to directly connect with someone in the company to show your interest (make it about the company such as its culture or brand) and why you’re qualified for more than one position,” McKown said.
Her clients without company connections tailored different cover letters and applications for each position for which they applied, she said.
“One client was hired for her No. 1 pick, and another for his second choice. Both were very happy with the results they achieved and believed there was promotional ability,” she said.
“In both cases, the candidates were upfront in interviews that they’d applied for more than one position because they believed they were a good match for both and they highly regarded the organization and wanted to be a part of it,“McKown said. “Any company likes to know they’ve been researched and found to be a desirable place to work.”