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Ten Reasons Online Job Applications Are A Waste Of Time
Forbes ^ | Liz Ryan

Posted on 12/04/2018 2:32:09 PM PST by SeekAndFind

No one likes dealing with bureaucracy, but some kinds of bureaucracy are easier to tolerate than others.

It's no picnic for a kid to get their learner's permit, take driving lessons, complete a written driving exam and then take a driving test in order to get their license.

The good news is that the driver's license system works. When your kid completes the steps, they'll get their driver's license.

If only job-hunting were such a simple process!

When you complete an online job application, you're guaranteed exactly nothing. You may get an interview and you may not.

You may hear back from the employer or they may remain silent forever.

There's a reason I call the online job application system the Black Hole.

Just like a real black hole in space into which whole galaxies collapse (and are never heard from again), recruiting Black Holes suck in resumes without so much as a thank-you note in return! As a functional job-search channel, online applications are useless. Your chances of getting a good job by filling out an online application are about as good as your chances of winning the lottery — or maybe worse.

At least by law, somebody has to win the lottery!

Any company can post job ads and collect resumes — they don't have to hire or even interview anyone if they don't feel like it.

Here are 10 reasons online job applications are a waste of a job-seeker's time.

1. They don't work. Ask any job-seeker about their success rate with the online job applications they've completed. They will tell you that they complete forty to sixty applications for every job interview they get. That's a terrible return on your time-and-energy investment!

(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Society
KEYWORDS: apply; employment; gig; jobs; jobsearch; onlineapplications; search; work; working
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1 posted on 12/04/2018 2:32:09 PM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

How is it any different than mailing resumes and filling out the apps in person?

You ain’t guaranteed squat then, either...................


2 posted on 12/04/2018 2:37:38 PM PST by Red Badger (We are headed for a Civil War. It won't be nice like the last one....................)
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To: SeekAndFind

When I worked for a big bank and I wanted to hire someone, I already knew who I wanted. But, policy was that a job opening had to be posted and run for 10 days, along with advertising.

The only person that was getting the job, was the person I’d already picked.


3 posted on 12/04/2018 2:38:44 PM PST by Professional
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To: Professional

Usually the guy I wanted had physically busted my door down with a good resume and convinced me that he or she was the person for the job.

So, the system is fair.


4 posted on 12/04/2018 2:39:45 PM PST by Professional
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To: SeekAndFind

Online does not give a person the ability to sell themselves face to face. Hate them.


5 posted on 12/04/2018 2:41:03 PM PST by dforest (Just shut up Obama)
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To: SeekAndFind

It always helps to have a well-written resume that documents some marketable skills.

YMMV


6 posted on 12/04/2018 2:44:12 PM PST by Mr.Unique (The government, by its very nature, cannot give except what it first takes.)
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To: SeekAndFind
Bad article. I became an expert at submitting resumes online and via email. The trick was hinted at a little bit...make sure you're tailoring your resume specifically to the job opening. BUT the thing that will get you the interview is including a cover letter that shows a bit of WHY the should hire you. Well written, humble yet confident, no spelling errors and grammatically correct.

There are two things that any employer looks for. Are you qualified and are you not an a**hole? If you can convey these two things your odds of getting an interview go up tremendously no matter what medium you use.

Online is actually also a much for efficient use of your time as well.

7 posted on 12/04/2018 2:47:22 PM PST by DouglasKC
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To: Red Badger

All of the IT jobs that I have gotten since the beginning of my career came as a result of either:

1) A recruiter introducing me ( but then, I sent my resume to them and posted it on their website )

Or

2) Networking


8 posted on 12/04/2018 2:47:54 PM PST by SeekAndFind (look at Michigan, it will)
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To: SeekAndFind

I highly doubt anyone even looks at online apps.


9 posted on 12/04/2018 2:49:43 PM PST by IronJack
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To: Red Badger

Colleges who make you pay a fee just to submit an application should be forced to refund the fee if you are turned down. But guess what? Application fees have become a major source of money for them.


10 posted on 12/04/2018 2:50:38 PM PST by sparklite2 (See more at Sparklite Times)
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To: DouglasKC

“Online is actually also a much for efficient use of your time as well.”

Agreed - and if that’s what employers request, what other choice do you have?


11 posted on 12/04/2018 2:51:04 PM PST by Magic Fingers (Political correctness mutates in order to remain virulent.)
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To: Mr.Unique

There is software that takes a resume and based on key words and requirements will go through it and spit out a result. Let’s say they are requiring 10 skills and you have 7, you are matched to the job at 70%. They then take the top 10 or so resumes and sent it to the hiring manager. Out of 10 the manager picks the 3 best. After interviewing if they don’t have a candidate, the process starts all over again.


12 posted on 12/04/2018 2:51:26 PM PST by EQAndyBuzz ("We The People" has turned into "You, The Subjects.")
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To: SeekAndFind

If you don’t submit online, you don’t work in the tech business.

Unless they spot your resume online and call you.

This woman is just venting about something she appears to know nothing about. And she was an HR manager.


13 posted on 12/04/2018 2:53:25 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Mr.Unique
Due to #9, they may not even get read. HR managers are some of the laziest people on the planet, which is why #9 is so popular. It helps (a lot) that there is a tight labor market currently so they have to actually have to do some work.

My best advice is to be nice to headhunters when you are younger, even help them find people if their job isn't for you (if you can). When you are older and you need work, they just might be there for you. That's how I got my present job. And my last job in my previous country of residence.

I have a great deal of respect for headhunters because THEY actually have to work, unlike HR Mandarins.

14 posted on 12/04/2018 2:55:16 PM PST by Vigilanteman (The politicized state destroys all aspects of civil society, human kindness and private charity.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Find a company that’s desperate for people.


15 posted on 12/04/2018 2:59:32 PM PST by SkyDancer ( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
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To: SkyDancer

My husband just got a really good job from an online application.


16 posted on 12/04/2018 3:09:41 PM PST by Cowgirl
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To: SeekAndFind

This sits on the doorstep of Human Resource hacks. 90% scum, the arrogance of lawyers without the brains. HR would be more aptly named “The Business Obstruction Unit”


17 posted on 12/04/2018 3:14:43 PM PST by Eagles Field
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To: SkyDancer
Find a company that’s desperate for people.

Except if you're over 55. Then you're pretty much screwed. They are all looking for 38-45 years old.

18 posted on 12/04/2018 3:16:33 PM PST by Ouderkirk (Life is about ass, you're either covering, hauling, laughing, kicking, kissing, or behaving like one)
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To: SeekAndFind

3 jobs in the last 25+ years: 2 from my “network”, one from the normal resume/interview system. Network jobs were much easier to get.


19 posted on 12/04/2018 3:19:18 PM PST by Shark24
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To: Professional

Yup, the trick is to find the hiring manager ... you. Professional persistence and sincerity will get an interview. Many managers when asked why they weren’t interested will answer they weren’t even sure the applicant wanted the job.


20 posted on 12/04/2018 3:23:55 PM PST by Eagles Field
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