By Jennifer Seamans, Employment Specialist/Team Leader, Resource Partnership
Applying for a job online differs significantly from the now antiquated mailing or faxing a paper application. Since the vast majority of employers require applicants to apply online, here are benefits and practical know-how’s of the online application process.
Benefits of Online Applications
Applying online is fast, easy and inexpensive. You can search and apply for jobs at your convenience. Some sites will allow you to build a profile on their employment website so that in the future you do not have to fill out an entire application again. Some of the bigger sites will even allow you to keep several versions of your resume and cover letter on file. A few great places to start your general job search are Monster (www.monster.com), Hot Jobs (www.hotjobs.com) and Career Builder (www.careerbuilder.com). Each of these sites will allow you to post different versions of your resume, search for jobs and set up job search agents to aid in your job hunt. On top of that, you also save the expense involved in printing and mailing your resume and cover letter.
The process of applying online benefits the employer as well. The employer can automatically search resumes for specific skills, education and other requirements. They can easily track applicants and quickly respond to those who best meet their qualifications.
Online Application Practical Know-How’s
With the large volume of online applications, which can flood an employer’s site, the application process becomes much less personal. Be sure that when you e-mail your resume and cover letter to an employer, you stand out among the rest. A resume is always a work in progress. With a solid resume, all you should need to do is to tweak it to the job description. It may just be a matter of changing a few words around to match the “key” or “buzz” words that employers use in their job postings.
With any type of job search, what matters most is the quality of the job search, not quantity of jobs you apply for! You should take the time to tailor your cover letter and resume so that they reflect the requirements of the job for which you are applying. Also, you should always pay attention to the grammar. You know those red and green squiggles that come up when you type your resume or cover letter on a document such as Microsoft Word? Employers will look for those! One Boston-based healthcare facility dismisses any candidate if a spelling or grammar mistake is found on any of their application materials.
Being able to apply for a job online has created a “fire before ready” mentality where with just a simple click of a mouse, anyone can apply for any job out there. One Boston employer has said that during their paper and pen application phase, they received on average of 100-200 applications per month for their open positions. Since they have gone paperless and people now have the option of applying online, they receive on average of 800-900 applications per month! This presents problems for both the job seeker and the employer! It is so easy to apply for a job without even considering the requirements of the position. If you “fire before ready”, you are sure to send a message to the employer that you have not looked at the job description and you have not taken the time to tailor your resume to their opening.
“Kiosk Chaos”
Kiosks have recently become very popular media to apply for open positions, especially within the retail industry. Kiosks are easy to use and are designed to take you step-by-step through their application process. However, this can be a confusing and lengthy process if you do not have sufficient computer skills. The good news is that you can prepare ahead of time to complete an application at the employer’s kiosk.
Bring a completed application with you so that you already have the answers to most of the questions that an employer can possibly ask. Such questions may include inquires about your job history, educational background, salary information, exact dates of previous employment and the contacts of your references. Some employers may ask for a cover letter or a personal statement, so bring a sample of your cover letter with you as well. Make sure that you are prepared to spend more than 15 minutes in the kiosk, especially since kiosks often include a personality questionnaire on top of the regular application.
The online application process is immensely popular and job seekers who have been out of the job market for a few years must adapt to it to obtain meaningful employment. Although applying for employment online is easier and the process is relatively simple, the key point to remember is to always make sure that you are applying for the right job for you! Take the time to learn how to apply for jobs in the most effective way and understand what a particular employer is looking for in a potential candidate. Follow these steps and you enhance your chances of finding success!
August 2007
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