Q: Two jobs have come up in the same company. I’m very attracted to one of them and think I could land it and do a good job in it; the other one is not quite as interesting for me, but I could do it at a stretch. I’d probably get bored in it fairly quickly though. But should I apply for the second one just to show I’m really interested in working for the company – or would two applications confuse them? (KL, email).

A: There are many angles to the few lines you have written, and I will try to tease them out here as best I can, writes Liam Horan, Careers Communication Coach, Sli Nua Careers.

I wouldn’t apply for the two roles just to show I am interested – you can show your interest by making a strong, tailored application for the first role.

You run the risk of diluting your impact as a candidate if you apply for the second position. They may see you as someone flapping around, grabbing at anything, whereas you want to be perceived as a candidate who has really focused in on the job that suits you, highlighting the value you would bring and the experience you have that supports your application.

So, without a better reason than the one you have outlined above, I wouldn’t apply for the second one. Go hard for the first one and make sure that in your CV, and your subsequent interview, in the hope that you get one, you hit them right between the eyes.

Liam Horan is a Career Coach with Sli Nua Careers in Ballinrobe.

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