Applying to multiple roles at one employer

Q: Is it in poor taste to apply to a number of positions with the same employer, in the field of lab medicine?

– Submitted by Medical Laboratory Scientists, Class of 2016 – University of Massachusetts/Lowell

A: Great question! First, congrats on pursuing a field full of opportunities. The world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and medical industries) is expected to grow dramatically. Specifically, the role of medical and clinical laboratory technologist is a role that is expected to grow “much faster” than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These roles typically require an undergraduate degree in either medical technology or life sciences. Hospitals, labs and doctor’s offices often employ medical lab technologists. In 2014, the median pay for this profession, across the US, was just over $49,000. Most medical lab technologists in the Boston area make more. For more information, visit http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm.

Now to your question. Research employers of interest. You are joining a field with very specific hiring needs. There may be more than one role, especially at a large employer, for which you would be qualified. I quickly scanned LinkedIn using the term “medical technologist” and limited my search jobs available in Massachusetts. There were roles available at Lowell General Hospital, Emerson Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Heart Diagnostics and Massachusetts General Hospital. Tufts Medical Center had 17 roles available, but all were a bit different. One role was in microbiology and one was in blood bank. It is ok to apply to several of these, but I probably would not apply to all 17! Some have different qualifications, including licensing requirements. Often times, larger companies will scan your resume and/or online application and retain your information. This is wonderful because they will contact you if a role does become available.

Finally, if you are not on LinkedIn, please consider creating a profile. Often recruiters don’t want to post a job and receive several hundred inquiries. Instead, we like to search using key words, like laboratory or medical technologist or University of Massachusetts. Then, we are able to identify a handful of the most qualified candidates vs. reviewing hundreds who may just be applying to every job posting available.

Good luck. I see great things in your future!

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.