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Distant are the days of strictly applying for jobs in person or through handwritten job applications. While there are companies who may still partake in this method, most modern organizations have been actively utilizing the internet for their application collection process for quite some time now. In fact, recent statistics have indicated that roughly half of all mid-sized companies and virtually all large organizations are using an applicant tracking system (or ATS) as an effective practice for screening applicants and potential job candidates; making the online application process even all the more useful and convenient for employers seeking top talent for their organizations.
As a job seeker, whether you prefer the online job application method or not, it’s safe to assume that the practice is here to stay. Therefore, learning to master the “art” of online job applications is crucial to ensuring that your submission not only makes it to its final destination, but is reviewed in high regard by potential employers. Whether the online job application is offered through a public job search site, such as CareerBuilder or Monster, or applicants are redirected to the company’s own respective website, there are a few tips and guidelines to remember.
1. Be an “early bird”.
As an active job seeker, you are presumably scouring the net for the best and most appropriate job opportunities based upon your skills and expertise. When you arrive upon a posting that looks like a perfect fit, don’t delay or hesitate. Some individuals feel they must wait for the “perfect time” to apply, such as Monday morning or a particular time of day they feel their application will be more noticeable. However, the internet never sleeps, so whatever date or time you submit your application, it will still end up in the same place: the HR or hiring manager’s inbox. Not only do employment opportunities not last long in the job current climate, most employers stop accepting applications after they feel they’ve received enough of what they need. Better to work quickly, and apply to a great job opportunity right away, rather than wait for the “right time” when your application may no longer be needed or relevant.
2. Read, read, read.
One way for your online job application to end up in the “trash bin” is by not following the directions given by the employer. Whether they are as simple as including the name of the position with a source code in the subject line of your email, or as definitive as including prior specific job duties that correspond to the desired job opportunity, be sure you are doing what is asked. (This also goes for not skipping fields or boxes.) Simply stated, if the hiring manager sees that you did not follow the basic requests of the job application, their estimation of your potential quality of work and reliability may be diminished. Moreover, ATS technology will also be able to detect and filter those candidates whose responses are most consistent with the requirements of the job. Therefore, careful reading (and rereading if necessary) will ensure that your answers are suitable and thorough, giving your online application a better chance for serious consideration.
3. Keep your content unique.
While it may seem like a tedious task, don’t assume that a one-size-fits-all approach to online job applications will get you in the door. While the copy/paste method may seem more time efficient, the fact is, most ATS programs are prepared to detect certain key words, and if you can manage to include them in your application responses, you’ve just increased your chances of being categorized as a qualified candidate. For example, if you’re applying for several different management positions, don’t include generic information relating to your experience. A management position in a financial firm will require different key words from a management position in a manufacturing company. You may be perfectly qualified to take on either management job, but the subtle descriptive differences will vary greatly. Refer to the job posting and research the company to ensure you’ve tailored your answers specifically to the opportunity to which you’re applying.
4. Prepare a cover letter.
Even though we may view most online job applications as a typically “fill-in-the-blank” experience, there are those which require just a little more of their candidates. There has been ample deliberation in recent years regarding the relevance of the cover letter. While some business have stopped requiring them, others still look to cover letters for a more advanced and detailed view of their job candidates. Whether you agree with their “dated” status or not, there is still no arguing that cover letters are a great way to promote your overall employability and expand upon the condensed bullet points of your résumé (or job application). Therefore, before you even start your job search, be sure to have a well-composed cover letter in your arsenal. If you don’t need it, that’s okay; but if you find it’s required of you, you’ll be glad to have available for a quick upload.
5. Simplify your résumé format.
Quite often, an online job application will ask you to upload or copy/paste your résumé, and when this happens, it frequently appears — not as the professional-looking Google Docs or Word document you have so painstakingly prepared — but as a scrambled, unformatted conglomeration of words and phrases with random tabs and awkward line spacing. This is not to say you should scrap your beautifully designed résumé document, because you will definitely need that! However, be sure to also save a non-formatted version of your résumé for this purpose, specifically. Removing special formats and complicated layout designs, and creating a clear and linear copy of your résumé text, will save you a great deal of backspacing and correcting once it is uploaded to the application site. Of course, most importantly, employers will find it easier to decipher and understand.
6. Proofread everything.
There are very few of us who are immune to committing even the slightest spelling or grammatical error. Unfortunately, however, in the world of job-hunting, these innocent, yet all too conspicuous mistakes can cost us an important job opportunity. There is little question that you have expended serious effort to prepare your online employment profile. Your job application is your chance to make a great first impression. Before you hit the submit button, be sure you have reread and proofread everything, thoroughly.
IN SUMMARY
The convenience of the digital employment market has made it considerably easier to search and apply for jobs without even leaving the comfort of our homes. However, understanding and adhering to proper protocol, while taking the time to be mindful and conscientious in your responses will certainly give you leverage when aiming to stand out among the virtual crowd.
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