What Happens When Candidates Apply Multiple Times

Understand how Discovered manages duplicate and multi-job applications so you always have the full candidate picture.

Overview

When a candidate applies to the same job more than once, Discovered merges the applications into a single profile. Any new details they submit are added to their existing record, and their stage in the pipeline does not reset. If a candidate applies to multiple jobs, a briefcase icon appears on their profile and candidate preview, showing how many other jobs they’ve applied for. This helps you avoid duplicate outreach and gives full visibility into a candidate’s activity across roles.

What Happens When Candidates Apply Multiple Times

 

 

1. Open the Candidate Profile

  • Click on Candidates in the navigation bar
  • Click on the candidate’s name to open their profile.

2. Check for Duplicate Applications

  • If they applied multiple times to the same job, you’ll see updated information in their existing profile only.

3. Look for the Briefcase Icon

  • If they’ve applied to multiple jobs, a briefcase icon displays in two places:
    • On the candidate preview card.
  • Inside the candidate's full profile header.
  • The number next to the icon shows how many total jobs they’ve applied for.

4. View Other Applications

  • Click the briefcase icon to see the list of other jobs associated with this candidate.
  • Review their stages in each job’s pipeline.

Why This Matters

  • Prevents duplicate work by consolidating multiple applications into one candidate record.
  • Provides recruiters and hiring managers with context about all roles a candidate has shown interest in.
  • Helps prioritize outreach for candidates actively applying to several positions.

Use Cases

  • A candidate reapplies to the same job after updating their résumé.
  • A strong candidate applies to two different roles, and you want to track their progress across both pipelines.
  • You’re reviewing pipeline health and want to see candidates overlapping between jobs.

Best Practices

  • Always check the briefcase icon before contacting a candidate to avoid duplicate outreach.
  • If new information appears from a re-application, review and update their profile notes for clarity.
  • Use candidate tags or comments to flag when someone is being considered for multiple roles.

What Happens Next

  • Same job re-application → Candidate stays in their current stage, with new info added to their profile.
  • Multiple job applications → The briefcase icon tracks their activity across jobs, ensuring full visibility.