Applying On-Line

Okay, I have a complaint. My complaint is with online applications. You know the drill, you hunt through open jobs, you see something you like and you hit the conveniently located "apply" button. Now you have been doing this for a bit, so you have the folder on your desktop that holds the resume file, the cover letter file, the job log you will dutifully record your efforts in. It shouldn't take a lot of effort. Much like the days when you mailed this stuff, right? No! This is much more convenient. Trust me.

Because now you hit that little apply button and you are asked to fill out an online profile. Enter your email. Choose a 'user name' and then a password. Enter the password again. Great! Now enter your first name, your middle initial, and your last name (all in separate boxes, of course). Now your address. Country of residence? Are you legally allowed to work in the US? Yes? Great! Oh, will you need the company in question to sponsor you to stay? No? Fabulous. Hit next.

Okay, now upload your resume. Alternatively, you can copy and paste it in the little box. What? You have a resume file - great, just tell them where it is and upload it. Hit next. Now look at it; see how all the formatting is gone? Take a few minutes and fix that, okay? I know you used the one that wasn't formatted. Still, fix it. Did the resume include ten years of past employment? Good. Did it include your education? Great. They appreciate it if you use all the standard resume stuff. Hit next.

Now upload a copy of your cover letter - or just cut and paste it in the box. Hit next.

Now tell us where you currently work. What is the name of the company? What is your title? What is the address? Who is your supervisor? Phone number? Email address? Can they contact these people? What did you do there? Great. Hit next.

Wait - what? You mean most of that was on the resume? No really, this is important. Did you hit next? Good. Tell them about the job you had before that. All the same questions. I KNOW IT'S ON YOUR RESUME! This is important. Hit next. Now tell them about the job before that job. Please do this for the last five jobs you held or the last ten years of employment. Yes - all of that. Hit next.

Okay. Now they need to ask you a few questions. Remember the job requirements that you were pretty sure you met? They aren't so sure you do. For requirement A, please tell them if you meet the criteria. Just yes or no - yes? Great. Hit next. Tell them now, in less than 2,000 words, what positions on your resume show that. Thanks. Hit next. Please continue until you have answered all of these. Hit next.

Now answer all of these questions about your race, gender, ethnicity, veteran's qualifications and possible disabilities. Hit next.

Okay! Great. Now take a look at everything you just did. Please review it carefully. Look good? Yes? Great. Now if you really want to apply - hit the 'submit' button. Ironic choice of words, that I know. But do it any way.

By the way, thanks for applying. If they think you actually meet the requirements, someone will contact you. If not, you will never hear from them again. There is an upside. If you do get an interview, make it to the stage where you are invited to the company proper to interview people, you will get to do most of that again when they hand you a paper application form and ask you for all the information you filled in on their website.