How Do You Apply For Jobs Online? 9 Ideas to Get You Started!
Applying for jobs online seems easy enough, but are you following through to the finish? Hopefully, you’re not one of those job seekers who apply online, again and again, and never follow up with your online application. There are steps you can take to make sure you are the “squeaky wheel” and get noticed. Actually, you’re striving to be the shiny wheel that get’s noticed and called on for an interview. There are ways to follow-up with human resource managers and recruiters, below I’ll show you how to apply, follow-up and get an interview.
1. Make sure you pay attention to detail and apply precisely as the instructions state on the web site.
a. Read the directions
b. Make sure your resume has key points included straight from the online job description
1) Search all the job search engines for better or more detailed descriptions
2) Double check the job description on the corporate site, which is usually listed on the job search engine
3) Call or email the point-of-contact (POC) listed for a detailed job description
c. No errors on your resume – none
d. Be sure your file name of your resume document is appropriate for the position you’re seeking:
For example: Doe John Resume – Security Professional – Job ID 345678
e. Keep your logon information in your job search notebook
2. Fill in every block that requires information for online application forms.
a. Some online applications are very time consuming and may require you to fill out many sections separately and even take an online personality/job knowledge test. So be ready to give at least 1-3 hours of your time just to apply for one position! Take your time, you don’t want to make any mistakes!
3. After applying online via a job search engine…immediately go to the corporate web site, search for the position and apply there also. Now you’ve applied with everyone else in the world on the job search engine AND have taken the extra step by sending a second application to the human resource team directly through the corporate web site.
4. Hopefully when you’ve applied on the corporate web site you applied straight to an employees’ email, for example: doej@company.com. Now you have a contact directly with the company. You should be able to see when the position is going to close for applicants. One week after this date I send an email to the email address above and ask the status of the hiring situation, or if they can provide a timeframe of when they are looking to fill the position. Not only do I get a timeline of when I might hear from them, I am getting my name in front of the hiring team as a concerned, caring, and future employee of the company that “follows-up” projects to completion.
5. Make Friends. My goal is to become friends with the members of the hiring team, which is also my goal during an interview, and I attempt make everyone comfortable for our face-to-face meeting.
6. Always reply to all emails and phone calls, (when possible), with a thank you or even ask a short job related question. Keep the communication lines open while being polite – and not taking up too much of the hiring manager’s time. Never sound desperate, ask good questions, and keep in touch with the HRM and hiring managers.
7. Research. Research the corporate web site for the manager who may be your new boss. It doesn’t hurt to shoot them an email directly, to inquire about the position. Don’t send a resume this time…just inquire on the position – when are they closing the job listing, why are they looking to fill it, etc. They may not be the right POC, but may give you the right contact information. Most folks are helpful.
8. Now that you have a date when the job listing closes, wait about 1 week after the job listing is closed so the HRM has time to review resumes. Then, shoot them an email informing them you are following up on your application and if they need any further information, you’d be glad to provide it! Hopefully, they will send you some feedback, or at least let you know what the status is in the hiring process.
a. Only send one inquiry. You don’t want to SPAM the HRM’s and make them angry! Wait about 2-3 weeks after your first inquiry, and then send a second email.
9. Your ultimate goal is to make the HRM, or hiring manager’s job easy! You should be their best friend. You are stressed, trying to get an interview…but if you understand that they are trying their best to fill the position with a qualified candidate and they are most likely a little stressed too. Do your best to help them succeed…and you could be the one they call for an interview!
If you really want a certain job:
a. Apply to the one position on ALL the job search engines (I’m sure it’ll be posted on more than one!)
b. Apply to the job on the corporate web site
c. Email your interest to the HRM
d. Try to find jobs posted today – And apply quickly! Be the first to apply.
e. Make sure you tailor your resume to fit the job description
f. Follow-up
g. Make friends -Network
h. Help the HRM
i. Stay positive!
In sales, the more prospects you contact, the better odds you have of selling your product. When searching for a job, your product is you and companies are your prospects. Don’t stop prospecting! Keep applying online, keep searching for positions online and keep networking…you’ll have more prospects than you can manage.
Good Luck!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Rivera
