How to Create a Great Online Employment Application

Human resources information systems (HRIS) provide a new, effective way to process employment applications called applicant tracking systems. The benefits of applicant tracking systems (ATS) include convenience for applicants and streamlined recruitment and selection processing for employers. This type of technology makes applying for jobs a quick and easy task; however, be sure you complete online applications as accurately and thoroughly as possible to improve your chances of receiving serious consideration for employment.

Instructions

1. Access the online application websites for potential employers. Carefully read the job description, qualifications, and requirements for each vacancy in which you are interested. Compare the qualifications and requirements to your resume. You may need to create different versions of your resume for each job vacancy, so your application stands out among other applicants.

2. List the qualifications for each vacancy, selecting keywords from each job posting. Review your resume, noting the keywords and how often they appear throughout your resume. Copy and paste your resume into a word processing program to make duplicates and redistribute appropriate keywords in your resume according to each position vacancy. Do not fall into the trap of overloading your resume with keywords, however. Use keywords judiciously in descriptions about your professional work experience.

3. Proofread each version of your resume separately. Creating duplicates and editing each version so that it conforms to the job posting doesn't mean perfection; read each copy to ensure correct grammar, syntax and brevity. The recommended length for resumes is two pages; however, resumes for online application systems may have character or word count limits.

4. Review the instructions for submitting your application online. ATS's generally require you to create a username and password, although some allow the use of your email address for your username. Whenever possible, use your real name for the ATS username and your email address. Save informal and suggestive email addresses for personal communication with friends and family -- not prospective employers.

5. Complete each section of the online application. Many ATS's allow you to upload your resume from a word processing application; however, information extracted from your resume may be inserted into the wrong spaces in an online application. Pay close attention to how information from your resume automatically plugs into the online application. Make any corrections necessary and save each page as a draft if the ATS provides an opportunity to save your work before submitting your final application.

6. Take advantage of the opportunity to include a cover letter. Both applicants and employers value the way applications can be processed in greater volume; however, employers appreciate it when applicants include a cover letter that briefly explains why they are suitably qualified for the job. It's also wise to use your cover letter to demonstrate your research about the company as well as your industry knowledge.

7. Select the option for a final review of your online application. Double-check your resume, cover letter, and responses to ATS-formatted questions for completeness.

References

• Jobweb: How to Apply Online and Get An Employer's Attention
• Craigslist: Best of Craigslist: Tips for Applying to a Job on Craigslist
• CBS News: Terms to Never Use in Your Resume
• Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychologists, Inc.: Practice Network: Speeding Down the Internet Highway: Internet Recruitment and Testing

Resources

• HR
• Society for Human Resource Management
• National Human Resources Association
• American Society for Training & Development
• Workforce Management