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Applying Online - 5 Tips

More and more, employers are using the internet to get the staff they need. Many of the techniques from face-to-face job hunting can be applied to the online jobsearch, but there are a few more details to consider when using the internet. Here are 5 tips for you to think about when applying for jobs online.

1.
Follow the Instructions Stated in the Job Posting

This is the most important point when applying for jobs online. Whatever the posting instructions say, follow them. Otherwise, your application will not be considered, regardless of your qualifications for the job.

2. Write in the Subject Line

What you write will depend on the job you are applying for. If the job posting has a competition # or job title associated with it, place it in the subject line (e.g. Accounting Clerk, Competition #40958). Alternatively, if you are e-mailing a company in order to find out if they have any possible positions, explain this in the subject line (e.g. Employment Opportunities in your IT Department). This decreases the chances that employers will delete your email without even reading it.

3. Include a Cover Letter in the Message

This is your chance to get the reader’s attention. Be sure to include a cover letter in the body of your e-mail. This way, if the reader prefers not to open attachments, they will still get a chance to read a bit about you, and hopefully be interested enough to want to learn more about you. Remember to follow the same guidelines for writing a cover letter.

4. The Great Resume Debate

It is a constant debate to include your resume in plain text, in the body of the email, or to attach it to your email as a word or pdf document. Some systems automatically reject attachments, however writing in the body of the email means sacrificing on the look of your resume because you have to write in plain text. Your application package to any job is a reflection of you, so ultimately the decision is entirely up to you. Go back to the golden rule #1 – if there are instructions on how to apply, follow them. If there aren’t, you may want to try calling the company to find out the application process. If you decide not to use attachments, read tip #5.

5. Format your resume appropriately

When submitting a resume online, either by email or by uploading it to the company's site, you are submitting an "Electronic Resume", also called an eResume. When doing this, take some time to make sure your eResume is formatted correctly within the body of the e-mail. A resume that is not formatted correctly or is unreadable will most likely be thrown in the trash without a second thought.

For more information on writng eResumes visit www.eresumes.com

Sample Electronic Resume

Living	Looking	Working	Learning	Resources	Login
Passport to Independence	Passport to Work	Career Passport	Passport to Literacy and Essential Skills

1.	Follow the Instructions Stated in the Job Posting
	This is the most important point when applying for jobs online. Whatever the posting instructions say, follow them. Otherwise, your application will not be considered, regardless of your qualifications for the job.
2.	Write in the Subject Line
	What you write will depend on the job you are applying for. If the job posting has a competition # or job title associated with it, place it in the subject line (e.g. Accounting Clerk, Competition #40958). Alternatively, if you are e-mailing a company in order to find out if they have any possible positions, explain this in the subject line (e.g. Employment Opportunities in your IT Department). This decreases the chances that employers will delete your email without even reading it.
3.	Include a Cover Letter in the Message
	This is your chance to get the reader’s attention. Be sure to include a cover letter in the body of your e-mail. This way, if the reader prefers not to open attachments, they will still get a chance to read a bit about you, and hopefully be interested enough to want to learn more about you. Remember to follow the same guidelines for writing a cover letter.
4.	The Great Resume Debate
	It is a constant debate to include your resume in plain text, in the body of the email, or to attach it to your email as a word or pdf document. Some systems automatically reject attachments, however writing in the body of the email means sacrificing on the look of your resume because you have to write in plain text. Your application package to any job is a reflection of you, so ultimately the decision is entirely up to you. Go back to the golden rule #1 – if there are instructions on how to apply, follow them. If there aren’t, you may want to try calling the company to find out the application process. If you decide not to use attachments, read tip #5.
5.	Format your resume appropriately
	When submitting a resume online, either by email or by uploading it to the company's site, you are submitting an "Electronic Resume", also called an eResume. When doing this, take some time to make sure your eResume is formatted correctly within the body of the e-mail. A resume that is not formatted correctly or is unreadable will most likely be thrown in the trash without a second thought. For more information on writng eResumes visit www.eresumes.com Sample Electronic Resume