The Internet has revolutionized job hunting. But when it comes time to fill out that online application, do you know what it takes to get the job? Here are a few tips to help you with your online submission.
1. USE A PROFESSIONAL-SOUNDING E-MAIL ADDRESS
When job hunting, every detail is important. Don’t forget your e-mail address, which is the first impression that the potential employer receives. You don’t want to use an address that is adolescent or silly, such as “hotdog,” “mrcool” or “tampababe.” Also check the outgoing message on your land-line and cell phones. The message should be concise and professional.
2. DON'T FORGET THE COVER LETTER
A cover letter can be a quick way to sum up your experience and how it applies to a particular position. It’s a nice addition to the application. If you know the name of the hiring manager, be sure to use it in the letter.
Experts recommend that you keep your cover letter brief. Don’t go over one page. Use the cover letter to expand on qualifications listed in your resume. You also can state why you would be perfect for the job.
But keep a realistic and professional tone. Be confident, but don't go overboard. One hiring manager remembers a letter that instructed him to ''throw away all your other resumes'' because this applicant's was the best and no further search was needed. Guess whose resume ended up in the wastebasket instead?
3. AVOID – OR LIMIT -- ATTACHMENTS
When possible, cut and paste your cover letter and resume into the body of your e-mail. Many hiring managers avoid attachments for fear of viruses. Or they simply don't want to be bothered. When a boss is swamped with hundreds of applications, merely opening a Word file can seem like too much work.
If you must use attachments, name them clearly and professionally, such as jdoeresume or jdoecover. That way, the employer can easily tell what they are and whom they are from.
4. FOLLOW THROUGH ON YOUR PROMISES
If you say you're going to include or attach a resume or writing samples, make sure you do that. It's sloppy to have to resend a submission if you forget.
To make sure you don’t accidentally send your application without all the documents you plan to include, try this: Open a new e-mail, but don’t fill in the “To” line until you are sure everything is just the way you want it. That way, if you hit send by mistake, the e-mail will go nowhere. When everything is order, fill in the “To” line and confidently send your e-mail to its destination.
5. PROOFREAD, PLEASE
Use spell check or, better yet, read your cover letter or resume out loud to make sure you are not forgetting any words or making grammatical errors. If you have a friend who is good with spelling and grammer, enlist his or her help to proofread your documents. You don’t want to lose the chance at an interview over a mistake that could have been caught.
6. FOLLOW UP
In most cases, it doesn't hurt to make a phone call or send a follow-up e-mail to make sure your application didn't disappear into cyberspace or to inquire about the status of the position.
''Recruiters receive hundreds of resumes. Following up is a way to stand out,'' says Susan Vobejda, a career expert at Yahoo HotJobs. ''Feel free to give them a call to reiterate how interested you are and show how motivated you are.''
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