Is it a bad idea to submit for a second position with a large company when you haven't heard the results from the interview for the first position?

9 Comments

1. Yamini BangarusamyApril 25,2025 at 7:03PM UTC

   It’s fine to apply to two roles, especially if they’re somewhat aligned. But, keep in mind that if the roles are very different, it could raise questions about fit or come across as your being unfocused.

   If there’s space to add a note in your application, you can mention that you’ve also applied for the other position, just as an FYI to show your interest in contributing to the company in multiple ways! Good luck!

2. AnonymousApril 25,2025 at 10:44PM UTC

   Not a bad idea at all for an external candidate.

3. BarbaraApril 26,2025 at 1:38PM UTC

   Good idea. Keep moving forward!

4. AnonymousApril 27,2025 at 4:25PM UTC

   If you are qualified for the second role why not. You should look up which ATS (applicant tracking system) they use and be sure that it will not negate that second application for a duplication. You could try to adjust your first one and see if you can add that second role to it. If the second role is very different than the first role I would think about reaching out to someone in their talent/recruiting team to let them know your interest in both so that you are not eliminated from either option.

5. GirlBossanova934974April 28,2025 at 1:58PM UTC

   Why wouldn't you apply for the 2nd position? These days, a good chunk of these jobs are fake anyways aka the internal candidate has already been hired or someone's pal got the job or the budget gets axed. Apply for as many jobs as you feel you are qualified to do! If you need to make some slight changes to your resume, please do so.

6. AnonymousApril 28,2025 at 2:22PM UTC

   Some recruiters will see this as strong interest in the company. If the roles are similar, I think this is especially true, and just indicates that you're actually *reading* the job descriptions and are both motivated and not a dum-dum. If the roles are in different departments or vastly different, you might end up seeming like someone lacking specialized skills or direction, but on the flip side, different departments in large organizations are more likely to have different recruiters screening applicants. Are the roles similar? What motivates you to apply for both?

7. AnonymousApril 29,2025 at 12:09PM UTC

   If the role is still open and you are being considered, it's not a good idea. You may look fickle. If it's only been a short time, I would not take the risk of coming across that you are not totally interested in the first position. Maybe reach out to the recruiter and ask for a status. If you are no longer a candidate for the first role, than you certainly should try for the second.

8. AnonymousApril 30,2025 at 3:47PM UTC

   I did over 30 years ago with excellent results. I worked for a large life insurance company's home office. I applied in Customer Service and was ghosted. A job in the marketing department came up and I jumped on it. ( also had just bought a house and was desperate.) Had a great career in sales and marketing and now happily retired.

9. AnonymousMay 4,2025 at 4:23AM UTC

   You can apply. Your hiring manager is different. If the skill set is applicable, you may go through interviews for both and get to choose one, if you succeed.