Sightings | Alumni News

Career Matters: Online Applications … How Do I Get Onboard?

Q. It's been awhile since I've looked for a job, and I see many organizations only accept online applications. What advice can you offer on how to approach them?

A. Many employers have taken advantage of the convenience and speed of the electronic age in their operations, and probably the most visible public use is in the hiring process, says Glenda Lee, assistant director of Career Services at the Nicholas School. Most have their own job posting Web site or they contract with external job posting services such as monster.com, usajobs.opm.gov, and environmentalcareer.com. Through this media, employers often receive hundreds of applicants for a single position. With so much competition, the savvy applicant must use every technical and human resource available to be selected. Here are a few suggestions to make that happen:

Follow the directions, correctly enter data into the correct field, and complete all fields. Sounds like a no-brainer? It's not for many. Be mindful that employers go through a process of screening out applicants before deciding who will be in the "yes" pile. With so many to choose from, it's easy to put someone in the "no's" for a simple mistake.
Tailor your application and resume for the position you are applying to.
When describing your achievements and contributions, include keywords from the job ad and those you know are important to this role. The keywords are the ones a manager will use in a database search to choose potential candidates.
Use the "comments"section to describe transferable skills (leadership, project management, community outreach, fundraising, etc.) that you may have gained through your value-added experiences in volunteer and professional organizations.
Make sure your e-mails always have a professional tone.No shorthand such as "ur" for "you're" or "i" for "I."Use the subject line to clearly state why you are writing, for example,"Candidate for Marine Conservation Program Manager." It also is a good idea to write and proofread the e-mail before typing in the recipient's e-mail address.This will help you avoid those accidental sends. Finally, ask permission before including any attachments.With the increased use of Blackberries, cell phones, and other devices to retrieve e-mails, employers may delete your e-mail without reading it because of the attachment.
Protect your privacy or you may have a part-time job retrieving your identity. A November 2005 security report found job Web sites sell resumes to other Web sites. For a full copy of this report and detailed suggestions on how to protect your privacy, go to www.jobsearchprivacy.org.
Finally, make human contact. Nicholas School alumni are everywhere. Search the Alumni Career Network to find out if an alumnus works in the organization for which you are applying and request their suggestions on how to advance your application. If none are there, alumni could still help you locate others who may be willing to put you in contact with the right person inside your desired company.

Let's face it; for now, humans do still make the hiring decision. As always, feel free to contact Glenda S. Lee for advice, at 919-613-8079.