The 1-2-3 on Job Applications and Corporate Website Applications

Let’s face it, more and more companies are turning to online applications to fill their vacancies. This can be a difficult and frustrating experience for those of you who a) never needed a resume to find a job years ago and b) those of you who are not computer savvy. Some of you may even feel that it’s better to send a hard copy of your resume and cover letter because it has a better look, the paper is nice, and after all, you spent a lot of time putting your best skills and assets down on paper. You might also think that your paper resume will land on someone’s desk who is actually responsible for the hiring of the job you are applying to, rather than ending up in a database in the stratosphere.

Quite simply, this isn’t the case. Today’s companies no longer want paper files. They want to become paperless offices and have everything available at the touch of a button. In my own staffing firms, we like all resumes emailed to us. That way it takes 2 minutes to input a candidate into our database and connect their resume. It also saves time having to scan documents into the system. Plus word documents can be changed and updated, whereas scanned documents cannot be.

In fact, many large companies no longer accept paper resumes for open positions at all. Today, they ask applicants to register and build a profile on their career website. Once and only once can an applicant apply for positions. Remember, once you’re in their system, you can often apply for other jobs or new openings with the simple click of a button. Before you send your resume or build your profile, review the company’s policy for applying for positions; you want to make sure to follow the rules they put forth. There are benefits to the applicant as well, of course. With the click of a mouse, it is faster to apply for positions than ever before, and you don’t have to worry your resume got lost in the mail or that you are one of 500 resumes sitting on a desk that will never even be reviewed.

Once a job seeker fills out the online application and profile, they are in the system for not only the job they are applying, but also for positions that may open up down the road. Companies use databases to find and attract talent, and they use specific words and key phrases when they search for specific jobs they have open. For example if a hospital is looking for someone with medical background they will have a code that reads: medical, etc. They will then search their library of online applicants for that code or for key words that indicate the skillset they need.

Part 2