The Internet Job Application Process
The Internet Job Application Process
Sending a resume and cover letter by email is becoming more common in today's digital job market. On their websites, you can find application forms for several businesses. To apply for a job, just find one that interests you, fill out the online sections with your relevant work and school history, and then hit the "Submit" button.
The information needed by each online application form is unique. To illustrate the point, there are employers who insist that you "copy-and-paste" your application materials into two separate areas. Some forms require applicants to select various options, such as "education," "work experience," etc. Some even ask you to submit a cover letter and resume at the same time, with identical fields for each.
Make sure that you fill out every single field on any online application form that a company may provide. If the form asks for a resume and a detailed description of your employment history separately, don't be shy about repeating yourself. Your details will be entered into a database automatically, where recruiters will probably look for certain terms. Your keyword density is directly proportional to its prominence.
Applying online is an option at certain organizations, particularly larger ones, but at others, all they ask is that you send your resume and cover letter to the right person or a generic address like "hiringmanager@anycompany.com." We need to proceed with caution here. Follow the recruiting manager's specific instructions while sending your CV and cover letter. It is preferred by some employers that the cover letter and resume be submitted in separate documents, typically in Word or Text Only formats. While some companies like cover letters to be attached to resumes, others prefer them to be part of the email body. For some, the best way to submit a résumé and cover letter is to attach them to an email. Regarding the second, check that your writing is legible. Transforming a resume—which has a very complex format—into the body of an email might make it look cluttered. A resume sent via email must be visually identical to a paper resume, according to recruiter Beth Camp. My recommendation is to include your résumé in the main body of your email in addition to the attachment. To avoid a potential formatting disaster, this is the way to go. Sending both electronic and print versions of your résumé and cover letter is another option.
Some people who are looking for work choose to build their own websites and buy domain names so they may upload their resumes and other application materials online. If you use HTML to create a static web page for your resume, everyone can view it in its correct format; this is a major advantage. So, anytime you want someone to see your resume, you don't have to send it by mail or email; just provide them with the correct URL, and they can discover it on their own. Posting your resume online has the further benefit of reaching potential recruiters and companies you might not have thought about before. Uploading a PDF and a Word version to your website will make it easier for potential employers to download your resume.
Posting your résumé online isn't without its drawbacks, either. The fact that everyone, even nosy neighbors, can view your data is a major drawback. This is why it's crucial that you keep all of your personal information secret, including your home address and social security number. Also, keep in mind that not all recruiting managers will actively seek out your website. Many hiring managers still prefer paper resumes even if they may be accessed online.
If a potential employer has specific instructions on how they would like to receive application documents, it would be foolish to ignore them. When asking for copy-and-pasting, for instance, do not attach anything. For various reasons, including incompatibilities with software or a general dislike of the additional effort required to access a document, some businesses avoid attachments.
Keep the "to" area blank until you've finished gathering all of your application papers and are ready to send the email. It's all too simple to send a company an incomplete email by accident, ruining your chances of making a good impression and, perhaps, getting an interview. Make sure to utilize a spellchecker one last time and review the final output for formatting issues if your resume and cover letter were asked to be copied and pasted.
Before sending your documents to the employer, double-check that you have sent the most recent and company-specific versions. Make sure they are appropriately labeled as well. Someone looking for work regrets saving multiple versions of their résumé in different folders, such as "Resume for Strategic Sourcing Jobs." I applied for three different kinds of employment," the job seeker says. It was something I preferred not to make known to every possible employer. I basically aired the fact that I lacked a defined career direction by naming my outbound resumes in that way. The optimal way to save your resume is either with only your name (like Simone Piette's resume) or with both your name and the name of the employer (like Simone Piette's Greenfield resume). Include a description of the associated file(s) and the program(s) you used in your email. Saying something like, "Please see my attached resume in Microsoft Word version 2002." in the body of an email is one example.
A hiring manager ought to be aware of your identity and the position you are seeking for prior to even opening your email. "Simone Piette resume and cover letter for Executive Assistant Position" would be an example of what you should write in the "Subject" line: your name, the name of the position (and job number, if available), and the contents of your application.
When you apply for a job, be careful to "cc" (carbon copy) or "bcc" (blind carbon copy) the person who recommended you if they have done so independently. Put simply, include that person's email address in the "cc" or "bcc" section when you send an email to the hiring manager. This way, they will receive a carbon copy of your message. Sending a "cc" or "bcc" to your referrer ensures that he remains informed. After all, the person offering assistance should be aware of where you are in the application process. (Please be aware that not all email clients support the "cc" or "bcc" fields; in such a situation, it may be necessary to send your reference an email in its own right.)
As a last precaution, before hitting "Send" on your outgoing email, save a copy to your "Sent Mail" folder. You never know when an email might not reach its intended recipient.
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