When you apply for a job, the first thing you might ask yourself is, "Which is the best way to apply?" The company who provides you with the application will use one of these ways.
Completing a Paper Application On-site
Submitting an Application Online
Emailing Your Resume
Applying at Hiring Kiosks
Mailing a Resume
Unsolicited Resumes
If you pick up an application at a local retail store or restaurant, a place where you are more likely to be doing an entry level job, a few scenarios may occur. They may ask you to fill out the application and leave it. They may ask you to take it home and return it at an agreed upon time when you can interview for the position. Under more rare circumstances, they may ask you to fill it out and mail it back to a specified location. Be sure to ask for the contact information – to whom should it be mailed, where and by when – before leaving the site.
Online applications are not much different from paper applications in that the questions and required information are generally the same. You might be thinking, "Where do I find online applications?” Applicants can apply by means of job boards or company websites.
A job board is a website that posts job openings with the goal of matching employers with job applicants. These websites usually require you to register and create a profile. Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com are just two examples of job boards.
Many companies advertise job opportunities on their websites and accept resumes and applications online. If you are interested in a particular company, go to that website. For some of these online applications, you must transfer the information in your resume to the company’s application form. In other cases, you must upload your resume into the company’s system. Once your resume is received, you may receive an e-mail confirmation. A human resources employee will review your resume and decide if you are a qualified applicant. Some companies may let you know that a position has been filled, but you may not hear anything from the company.
If you are applying for a job online, things to have at your side include eye glasses, if you wear them. Not all websites are great about making sure their content is easily readable. You’ll need a copy of your resume to refer to while filling out your application. Have a copy of your work history. If you don’t have an official resume, a list of your work history will suffice for now. Keep personal information like your bank account and maiden name to yourself. No employer should need to know this type of information.
Before you click submit or send, be sure to read over each word carefully to check for typos and to make sure all information is correct.
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If you are emailing your resume to apply for a job, write your email message using cover letter techniques. Remind the employer who you are, where you met, or how you came into contact with the company, and close with a couple of sentences about your qualifications and/or enthusiasm for the position.
Your resume may look great in print, but when you go to apply that same resume online, the formatting – the bullet points, bold text or centered text, etc. – can easily be lost. This is why we recommend saving your resume as two separate files:
Print version – This version is for postal mail, attached files to emails, fax or hand-to-hand deliveries. This design can include bullet points, italics, and bold print.
Plain text or text only versions – This version is best for copying and pasting into online applications and emailing. This design will lack formatting.
The best advice is to try it out before you send it to a potential employer. Email your resume to yourself or to a friend first.
You may need to attach your resume as a separate file but be sure to follow the recommended method for sending/receiving resumes stated in the application instructions. Some employers will not open attachments from people they do not know. Attaching your resume to your email allows the formatting to stay intact. Any bullet points or centered text will look the same when the employer receives it.
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Kiosks are being used to provide information, services, sell or rent products, and apply for jobs. Some look a little like an ATM machine, whereas others simply look like your desktop computer sitting in a cubicle. You probably have already come across a kiosk when renting a movie on DVD, making copies of photos or checking in at the airport.
Kiosks are increasingly popular primarily because of convenience. They are replacing the paper application method of applying for jobs. For the employer, using a kiosk system makes it easier to track an application once it is completed and then forward it to hiring managers almost immediately. The kiosk will automatically sort and screen applications for the employer. For the job seeker, you can complete an application while in the store and at your convenience.
Most systems provide a mouse, monitor/screen, keyboard and maybe a phone. The phone, if provided, will usually connect you to a help desk, should you have any problems with the equipment. Some kiosks use keyboards to enter information and some use touch screens; therefore computer skills are a must.
The system will lead you through the job application process step-by-step until you complete the application. The length of time it takes to complete an application using a kiosk depends on the application. Bringing your resume or a record of your work history to use as a guide will help to speed up the process. If an assessment is part of the process, it will take longer. Assessments may entail a series of detailed skills and personality questions to be answered along with the general application.
Some companies still request that a written resume be mailed to them. Some smaller companies and organizations may not have an online job application system. If you mail a resume, send it with a cover letter. A human resources employee will review your resume and decide if you are a qualified applicant for any job opportunities. As with online submission of your resume, you may not hear back from the company if the position has been filled.
If you send a resume to a company that has not advertised any job opportunities, the human resources department will generally log the resume into a database for consideration in the future. If you have unique skills and specialized knowledge, the human resources department may be watching for someone with your skill set, and contact you directly. They know that finding candidates with great qualifications can be challenging, therefore they may at the very least file your resume away for safe keeping.
On the other hand, if a company is not advertising a position, contacting them before you send your resume may be a more viable option. A blanketed approach may produce some results but is generally not the best use of time or energy. If you do not have the experience or background, don’t send the resume. A targeted approach is the most effective way to conduct a job search. Review our section on targeted resumes by clicking here.
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