Is it a bad idea to apply for 2 jobs in the same place at different levels?

lisa21

Hi, just after a bit of advice...

I've seen a job I am interested in at the council, it's an Operations Manager role so slightly above what I do now. However, there is also a Team Manager role available at the same place - this is the same job I do now elsewhere but this position is better money and hours, so I'm interested in that one too.

My question is, if I apply for both, would this be seen to mean that I'm not confident I could do the Ops Mngr job, or maybe that I'm just trying my luck for any role? Would I be better just to focus on the Ops Mngr job do you think? neither job comes up very often so I don't want to miss out on the opportunity for either really. What do you think?

Lx

[Deleted User]

I'd apply for both if you are interested in them both. I dont think it shows you dont think you'll get the OPM role, just that you are keeping your options open, are self confident and seeking a change in role & direction.

You are right in that the jobs dont come up often so go for it. They arent CYPD roles are they?

DCFC79

Apply for both, you wont know what they will say until you try

Savvy_Sue

I'd expect a local council to be selecting 'blind', ie without having your name and other identifying details in front of them.

So if the same people are involved in selecting for both jobs, they might think "This sounds familiar" but it won't be immediately obvious. You should therefore make sure that the applications are carefully tailored to each role, rather than giving the same information in the same way each time. (Obviously you should be doing that anyway, but even more so in this case.)

If it's different people, they won't know.

And I would go for it!

Burlesque_Babe

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'd expect a local council to be selecting 'blind', ie without having your name and other identifying details in front of them.

I work for an LA and we don't select blind. The whole form is seen, only the ethnic monitoring/disability/date of birth tear off slip isn't seen by the recruiting manager.

kateab

My husband applied for two different jobs at the same place in the NHS and got interviews for both. He got the lower grade one. He did mention it at interview and it didn't seem to affect his chances.

It may be that the people selecting for the different posts might be different - it is entirely possible depending on size of council.

kateab

Savvy_Sue

Burlesque_Babe wrote: »

I work for an LA and we don't select blind. The whole form is seen, only the ethnic monitoring/disability/date of birth tear off slip isn't seen by the recruiting manager.

Well I am gobsmacked! How can they prove there is no racial / sexual discrimination going on when they can see the names?

I like the idea that they don't see the date of birth - do they think that means they can't possibly be discriminating on age?

OP, even if they can see your name and KNOW it's you for both posts, my previous advice stands.

lisa21

thanks all. I'm going to apply for both. I think basically my existing skills are an exact match for the TM role, but because I've been doing the job for 7 years elsewhere I've been involved in lots of things that are part of the Ops role. So I'll tailor the app form to show this.

_shel I'm not sure what CYPD roles are? They are office based roles. Thanks so much for the advice everyone....wish me luck!!

getmore4less

Have some good reason why you want to move to this particular council away from your current employer that you will use in applying for both jobs.

I don't think you can asume that the two roles will be recruited totaly seperately so need to match the reasons for applying for both and make sure there are no inconsistancies between the applications.

Over playing the I am ready for the next level etc could undermine the lower sideways move since this may give the impression that you will want to move on as soon as you can.

I would probably be open about applying for both positions


google links seems to think CYPD is

The Children and Young People's Department/Directorate.