How to Fill out a Job Application Online

In today's technologically advanced society, many employers and job seekers alike have found that it is easier to fill out an application on the Internet. Not only is this more convenient, but it allows employers to reach a broader range of potential employees. Here are some tips to consider when it comes to filling out a job application online.

Instructions

1. Have your personal information ready. Information that may be needed on an application include past employment, references, driver's license number, education, etc. It is best to have this information readily available to ensure the process goes much faster. If you have this on a resume, have a copy on hand to refer to as needed.

2. Find applications. If you have a specific place in mind, look for the job application on the employer's Web site. Typically, these can be found at the bottom of the page under career or job opportunities. You will find that many companies have switched over to online applications. Make a list of businesses in your area and check for job applications on their Web site. Some employers will have specific positions for in which you can apply, while others just have a blanket application.

3. Remember to fill in the necessary information. These will be clearly marked and a job application cannot be submitted until they are filled out. Normally, an application requires your first and last name, birth date, phone number, address, email address, social security number and even driver's license number.

4. Have proper contact information. Remember to include a phone number that you have access to at all times. For most people, this is a cell phone and if you plan to list a cell phone, be sure it's reliable and the outgoing message is simple and professional. An email address or physical address can also be used to inform someone of their application status.

5. If an employer has a section for a resume to be uploaded, include yours. This is mostly optional, so don't feel pressured into adding one. It might have the same or similar information, but resumes are still a good thing for employers to have on file.

6. Be honest! Employers do not like it when you provide false information. If you are flat out lying, they will most likely know that when going over the application. Employers can also check up the information that you have provided through a variety of means, including Web sites that offer background checks and your local legal system. In fact, many companies already take this step as standard procedure.

7. Double check your application before submitting it. It is best to make sure that you didn't misspell a word or forget a digit in your phone number.

8. Try to complete your application during one sitting. If you do not have enough time to start the application, do it when you do have the time. This will prevent you from forgetting about the application and leaving it unfinished. If you do have to stop for some reason, check to see if the application has a save feature.

9. Check your email after submitting your application. For most employers, you will get a confirmation email. This will just let you know that the application has been received. Keep this email for future reference.

Tips & Warnings

Keep track of how long an application will remain on file. If you still haven't found a job by that time, reapply.

If you are filling out multiple job applications, it can be tedious to repeatedly fill out the same information. Take breaks or have a resume to copy and past information.

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Tips on Getting Results With Online Employment Applications

Using online applications has allowed companies to collect more applicant information and job hunters to get their information out to more prospective employers, according to the online employment resource Prospects. One of the advantages of filling out an job application in person is you may get the chance to make a personal impression on the company. There are tips on getting results with online employment applications that can make Internet job hunting effective.

Your Resume

In some cases, the online application may also ask you for a copy of your resume. Filling out online applications gives you the unique opportunity to customize your resume to each company you are applying to, according to the employment section of the Boston Globe's website. Changes such as rewording your objective to be specific to the company and highlighting career achievements that you feel would be more pertinent to the company's requirements can help your application to stand out.

Cover Letter

Include a cover letter to your application that will help give some further insight into your career and experience. Spend some time writing for each application a personalized cover letter that mentions achievements and skills that you feel would be important to that particular employer. By giving the employer a better understanding of your qualifications, you may be able to help answer questions raised by the information in your application.

Contact Information

Remember to include your home phone number and your cellular number, if you have one, with each application. You will also need a professional-looking email address to submit as well, according to the career development section of the Hampton Roads website. An email address such as snug675@yahoo.com is not going to present a good image. Try to find an email provider that will allow you to use your first initial and last name as your email address.

Spelling and Grammar

Some people have a tendency to gloss over their spelling and grammar when posting information to Internet sites. Use proper spelling and grammar on your online application. Do not use Internet slang. Type out your information on a word processor and have the program check for spelling and grammatical errors before you cut and paste the entry into the online application.

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Online Employment Application Satety Tips

Job searching in today's information age is primarily done online and in addition to advertising job openings online, most companies offer some type of job application method online as well. For privacy reasons, some job seekers may be reluctant to blindly submit personal information online. These online employment application safety tips will help protect your personal information while applying for jobs.

Do your own research

Research the company you are interested in applying to before filling out the application. Make sure it is a legitimate organization and not a scam attempting to get you to disclose personal information such as your email address, phone number or Social Security number. If you haven't heard of the company and can't find any information about it through a general online search, check with the Better Business Bureau (see Resources). The bottom line is always trust your instincts. If you don't feel comfortable about the legitimacy of a particular business, don't fill out the application.

Read the fine print

Before submitting a resume or application online, review the company's privacy policy. The policy should reveal how your information will be used, stored, deleted and whether or not the organization reserves the right to sell any of your information--primarily your email address. Print a copy of the privacy policy or bookmark the page for your own records once you submit your application. Many companies also like to seize the opportunity to add job applicants to their email lists. Usually this will be close to the end of the application process and there should be a box to check indicating if you do or do not want to be added to an email list.

Maintain privacy

Privacy is the primary concern of any online job applicant. Many applications and online prescreening questionnaires request both required and optional information. Optional information is typically indicated with an asterisk. Look for these indicators throughout the application. Some companies do not require a Social Security number until you have been hired. If it's not required, don't disclose it until necessary. No employer will ask for any credit or banking information in the application process. Some finance industry jobs do require credit checks, but not until after an initial interview has taken place.

Email protection

Set up a separate email address dedicated for job searching, inquiries and applications, to protect your personal email address in the event that your information is compromised and your account is hacked or your address gets distributed. This will also help keep your job search more organized as the emails will not be mixed in with email from family and friends. 

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