Have you applied online for a job recently? 70-80% of applications executive recruiters receive are online job applications. If you are still opting for the hard copy route, maybe you should rethink your approach and stop living under a rock (sorry!). Ask yourself: do you want to present yourself as an online persona- a careerist as opposed to someone lost in online translation? Do you want to apply in seconds? Does your application ease or add to the recruiter’s workload?
If your responses are not in your favor, then give e-mails, online forms or career service platforms a try.
Online job applications: Applying via e-mail
A common channel to reach the recruiters is via e-mail. One aspect to keep in mind when e-mailing your application is that the files should be sent in PDF format. This way, you can count on making a professional first impression. PDF converters are available online free of charge. And again… a magic click will do the trick.
Given the fact that your CV could end up being printed out, you might want to check on a printed copy yourself and verify the layout. Another tip to consider relates to the size of the attached documents: limit it to three megabytes (3 Mb), to reduce download time.
Moreover, make sure that the subject of your message includes the name of the job position you are applying for. Write a brief and to the point email and proof-read it. At this point, you’re already one step closer to being shortlisted.
Online job applications: Applying via wizards (forms)
There are also companies which prefer a certain structure of the data they collect online from the job candidates. The internet jargon refers to the software employed in such situations as to ‘wizards’. What actually happens is that the applicant is required to follow the lead of a computer user interface through several dialogue steps.
More specifically, the information belonging to the CV needs to be filled into various categorical fields (e.g., personal details, education, work experience). Having your data completed in a formatted text document before you begin might save you precious time.
Throughout the process, keep in mind that these databases are set up to search your application for job-specific keywords. Thus, insert skills that define you professionally (e.g., ‘finance professional’, ‘international experience’, ‘MBA’, ‘4 years’ project management experience’, ‘SAP knowledge’).
As a piece of advice, try to be consistent with your resume. Some wizards give the possibility for a cover letter to be written within an open field. Most of these programs allow the user to attach documents as well. By the end of the process, the employer obtains both standard-organized candidate data, and personal candidate input.
Online job applications: Career Services
The latter form of application is also present on career service platforms. The major difference when using such a service is that with a one-time effort of completing a profile, you have the possibility to target not only one job, but a multitude. While the attached files should be personalized, the account data does not change.
In addition, on Experteer website, thousands of headhunters check through the profiles and approach those who fulfill the executive jobs’ requirements.
Furthermore, through the innovative career matching technology, the career goals of the applicant are linked to fitting job offers. Thus, even a passive seeker may one day get a surprise contact request.
From the headhunters’ point of view, career service platforms provide a more efficient candidate reach. In the particular case of Experteer, these benefits are taken to the next level.
One might wonder how that works. Well, due to the focus on the executive segment, a niche market is being outlined. Therefore, executive recruiters avoid data overflow and gain a clear overview upon relevant senior professionals.
Both online job application and online headhunting deal with a competitive environment. Nevertheless, the advantages of this online trend prevail. On the one hand, what the job applicants appreciate is the time efficiency; as a plus, a job seeker now has the opportunity to gain online visibility with headhunters by using career service platforms.
On the other hand, recruiters can easily electronically archive online job applications and efficiently filter the data; the pool of candidates is larger, which translates into better prospects of finding the most suitable employee.
All in all, the shift from hard copy that you may have used 20 years ago to online job application requires less effort and generates greater chances of success. We wish you all the best!
