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How to apply for multiple jobs at once

Written by: Charlotte Rogers
Published on: 24 Aug 2022

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When job seeking, there can be this pressure to find a job as quick as possible and get the ball rolling on a new job. However, rushing through your applications isn’t always the best way to tackle a job search.

Sometimes, the eagerness to find a new job can result in applying for every role in sight that is slightly relevant to what you are looking for. Making your way through every job-board and throwing out applications by the minute. What’s not to like?

There are benefits to applying for jobs with pace, but there are also negatives. We don’t want to wait around for one employer to get back to us before starting on the next application, this doesn’t make sense. But there are better ways to do this, and your job search strategy is important and should be considered. So, what is the right way to apply for multiple jobs at once?

Being flexible

When you apply for multiple jobs at once, the replies might start to roll in, but are they what you wanted? It’s a double-edged sword, that’s for sure and while the benefits of an increased outreach are undeniable, the spray and pray method just never seems to yield the desired results; so, is it even worth it?

You need to find what works for you and flexibility in a job search really helps. You don’t want to be applying for all jobs as quickly as they appear on your radar, but you also want to apply for more than one at a time. Being flexible in your job search can mean different things to different people. On a scale of hyper technicality to chronic desperation, flexibility lands somewhere in the middle. To be hyper technical is to apply for one job in a hundred, considering only the jobs that meet your exact specifications, in short, it’s that perfect job or nothing. It can certainly work, assuming you’re lucky enough to find that ideal job. However, if your specifications are too narrow, you’ll be at risk of over-specifying yourself into a corner, never finding a job that ticks every box. This is a case in which flexibility is required; if you’re having trouble finding a job to fit your specifications, it may be worth broadening your search and giving time to jobs that only good, rather than perfect.

Meet yourself somewhere in the middle. Nothing may be perfect, but you can still find a role that suits you well and will be something you enjoy. Open your eyes and search for it, a perfect job doesn’t just get placed in your lap.

How to go about it

As stated above, you shouldn’t be applying for every job you see just for the hell of it. Firstly, because this may mean that you’re not taking the time to tailor your applications. If so, why not?

Tailoring your applications and CV to each job will definitely take longer than clicking submit, but it can get you the results you want. Tailoring your application shows you have taken time, you put in the effort and ultimately, aim before you fire. It can help you hit your target and the employer can see that you are a more likely candidate than if you were to ignore this step in the application.

It’s worth putting some extra time into closely analysing any job applications that stand out to you. How you write your application, the skills you include and who you address can make a world of difference.

An ever-increasing number of organisations are beginning to check CVs and cover letters with ATS (Applicant Tracking System) software, which searches for particular keywords and filters the applications before they even have a chance to come under a pair of human eyes. You can click here to read more about this and how to get your application through the filters. You shouldn’t have to give in to chance, make sure you are making as much effort as you can.


Keeping your eyes open

It’s easy to try and get ahead by applying for every and all jobs you see that slightly relate to what you want to do. This is the biggest mistake a job seeker can make when applying for multiple jobs at once. Plus, it’s easy to get confused as to which job is which. It’s easier to make mistakes and working fast, isn’t always a helpful tip.

Make note of the jobs you are applying for. It’s likely that employers will use a number of job boards to advertise their vacancy. If you’re just scrolling and applying, it can be easy to apply for the same job twice. It’s easily done and can look bad when the employer see’s your application, twice.

Also, take the time to look at the job description. Use key words that they use, actually read the requirements for the role, and display that you have these. If you don’t, there’s another issue. The employer probably won’t pursue your application any further. And when this happens often, can leave you feeling unmotivated.  

It’s also good to note that if you are applying for multiple jobs in the same organisation, ensure they are similar or related. It can make your applications look strange to the employer, almost like you don’t care which one you get. Make sure you are tailoring for each role, using your cover letter to talk about why you would like to work for that company and ensure you are applying at a good pace. (Not too fast!) If you are applying for multiple roles because you really want to work for that specific employer, say so in your covering letter. It shows you are passionate about what you do and that particular place of work. Just ensure you are doing it the right way and the best way possible to get the desired results.

Finally, make sure you are sending relevant CVs to employers. This is why it’s so important to read the job description and take notes. You can use their key works to include in your CV, but also to ensure that you are sending it over in the right format. Listen to what they want and follow directions because this can make or break an application. Be very careful about naming your tailored CVs and cover letters, you don’t want to send a CV to one company if you’ve included another employer’s name. It can be a very easy mistake to make.

Will making these changes work?

If you find that your job search isn’t getting you results, then making these changes can help you. I can’t guarantee you will get an offer straight away, but it can definitely help you get noticed. As long as you are applying for the right roles for you, taking your time to tailor CVs and overall, just paying more attention to the roles and not throwing CVs left, right and centre. These steps can make a huge difference.

Take your time and you won’t have to apply for jobs you might hate, broaden your horizons and you may find a job that’s just as good as the one you dream about. There’s a lot of jobs out there and almost certainly one that’s right for you. As always, good luck!