I am very interested in working for a local company. Currently they have two positions open that suit my skills and experience. I am over experienced for one of the positions and slightly under experienced for the second position. I would happily take either position, but the second position is definitely the better of the two.

My question is, which position should I apply for which would result in my application being more likely to be sent forward in the process? And would it be okay for me to mention the other position in my cover letter and state that I am extremely interested in working for the company and would be interested in either position?

Thanks!

Do you know anyone working for the company? What is the application process?

The best way of dealing with this is not apply for a specific position but to put in your cover letter that you are aware of two positions open with the firm that you feel qualified for. But it would be better if you can get your resume to the right people using a current employee.

I agree with Scott. If you have any personal connection with the company, use it, or at least direct your letter to a real person in the company who oversees job applications (a phone call to the company would give you this information). And yes, include mention of both jobs in your cover letter. Adjust your resume to reflect how your skills fit both jobs. A functional (skills-based) resume would work better than a chronological one.

Unfortunately I do not know anyone in the company and have no connections via LinkedIn. I have also been unable to find an HR contact email.

The application process is via a third party application web app and requires you apply for a specific position.

Without an HR contact email it seems impossible to send a general application to the company.

After discussing your responses with friends last night I think the best course of action is to apply to the job I am overqualified for but as you both suggested mention both jobs the in the cover letter.

Thanks so much for the feedback!

I find that many companies do not hire someone that is too over qualified. They fear that person will not stay long. This is from personal experience, where I had to "dumb down" my resume to get some lower jobs, during periods of unemployment in the past.

I would go for the better job, but mention in the cover letter, that you would be willing to accept a position that could give you the opportunity to move up.

But you really need to try and talk to someone, they will most likely get several hundred resumes for this, if it is a advertised position.