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 ...
You do realize that the article is telling people that those brutal, enter your resume bit-by-bit within our especially tedious, custom format, online applications are a waste of time, don’t you?
It is well suggesting that finding the hiring executive and approaching him/her is often better than going through that anonymous HR meat grinder.
And that is often, though not always, true. I don’t think anyone can disagree with your specific suggestions re: a cover letter, however, either.
Sure if you don't know what you're doing. Most of the sites have an option to upload a resume. Or you can upload it and it will parse out what you need. Or absolute worst case, you have to cut and paste into separate fields. IF one takes time to develop their computer skills these are a piece of cake to navigate. I know...I've done it hundreds of times!
You’ve done it hundreds of times?
Then I’d suggest you’ve proven the point of the article.
It worked for the 5 people we hired
For IT, yep.
If you actually apply, you might as well be running the ‘Don’t Hire Me’ flag up the pole.
You are invited, or you don’t play.
ALL serious job hunting for certain fields is a matter of increasing your odds by applying to as many places as possible. Being able to submit dozens or hundreds of resumes online or via email is a far sight more efficient then printing up hundreds of resumes, addressing hundreds of envelopes, buying hundreds of stamps and then trying to keep track of where and when you sent them.
Look you don't have to agree with me. I took exception to the article because everyone of its conclusions go directly against my experience. The author almost seems to be saying "using modern technology to apply for jobs is stupid...that's not the way we did back in my day!". The one solution that she brings up, finding and talking to person that will actually give you the up or down, is useless. Big companies use these processes because it weeds out idiots. It weeds out those who are too stupid or irresponsible to follow directions. It weeds out those who don't have a firm grasp on the technology they'll be using every day in their job. It weeds out those who are too impatient and not humble enough to respect the employers time and follow a process.
Exactly!
It’s easier to get a job when you already have one.
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