How best to apply for two jobs advertised with same employer?

[purplebarnet]

Hiya

Two jobs are being advertised with a local employer. Neither had a closing date.

There's one that I would prefer, but the other would be one I'd happily do too.

If the jobs were being advertised separately, I'd probably apply for both. But with them being advertised at the same time, I feel if I do that, it's showing a lack of commitment to the one I prefer, and they'll just think I'm randomly applying for anything.

On the other hand, I don't want to lose out on the opportunity of the second job if I'm not successful with the first.

Any advice?

Is it a small local employer? Depending on the job I might call them and say 'I'm really interested in x job but could also do y job. While I'm best suited for x job, what's the best way for me to express an interest in both.'

Are they similar jobs?

What's the recruitment process? Form or CV and covering letter?

If similar jobs you could do - 'following our conversation about the roles you are recruiting for please find my CV and list of skills, experience etc.'

Apply for the preferred one and in your application say you'd seen the other one and was keen but even more keen on this one because x and y.

Thank you both

I’ve applied for two jobs in one small department of a large institution. I interviewed for both and when I got the sense that either were mine for the taking I withdrew my application for the one I wanted least (risky I guess but I was rightly confident).

Point being it didn’t count against me - they appreciated that I was keeping my options open / maximising my chances.