Blog Post: The Online Application System Ate My Resume

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posted Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:58 PM

by Sheila Nazari, Knight Transportation

My brother, who's searching for a job, recently complained to me about how employers make applying for jobs near impossible, thanks to the online application system. You have to create a username and password for every company you apply to and you have to upload your resume in the correct format and if you happen to accidentally press the ‘back’ button, you risk losing all the information you just entered. Even though I was defensive at first, I realize that I get many phone calls per day from candidates asking me if I received their resumes. Obviously, my brother is not the only one who gets frustrated from the whole online application process.

The correct term for the online application system is ‘applicant tracking system’ or ATS, but no matter what you call it, it can be quite frustrating dealing with it when you would rather just send your resume by mail or to someone’s e-mail address and just be done with it. The advantage of applicant tracking systems is that they are designed to make the recruiter or hiring manager’s jobs easier, but the disadvantage is that they can make it more difficult for you, the candidate, to get the job. They can include tons of questions that can screen you out if you don’t provide the correct answer. These questions range from topics such as salary requirements to specific technical questions.

So, even after you have spent your time applying to the position and answering all the questions, you may have said something that caused you to be automatically screened out. Now the hiring manager doesn’t even see your application. I’m beginning to see why we get those frantic calls now.

Here are some tips that will help prevent you from wanting to pull your hair out while applying for a job.

Different applicant tracking systems can read different types of file formats so make sure you note what type of files can be uploaded and make sure that your resume is in the same format. They usually can read DOC, RTF, and PDF files. If possible, save your resume, cover letter and other documents in the same type of file format to ensure effective uploading.

If you don’ have a resume, you can use the Resume Builder in the system. If you choose to go this route, be as thorough as possible because you don’t want to leave out important information. Also, keep in mind that the recruiter can tell whether you had a pre-made resume or built one on the spot.

Try to find out as much as you can about the position before applying so that you can better answer the pre-screening questions.

If you call the employer because you’re having problems applying, be specific about what you need help with. Saying that you just don’t know how to apply online or that the site is useless is not the best way to get on the recruiter’s good side.

Don’t rush through the questions. If you accidentally click “yes” instead of “no” on certain questions, it can have a significant impact on whether or not your resume gets screened out.

Store your username and password somewhere convenient so that you don’t have to go through the entire login setup process again.

Tags job search, resume, online, apply, application, candidate, job

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Gina Slover

Friday, January 30, 2009 11:51 PM

Every job I apply for I write down my login and password in a small note book. I write the name of the company, job title, and date. I have two areas I qualify in, retail sales and hotel front desk. I search in both areas for employment and I must write down the information to know where I've been. Some of these applications have you make a reference number, just in case your computer goes down the information that has taken you thirty minutes to type in is not lost. Thank you.

Jeff Taylor	Thursday, February 5, 2009 8:10 AM
That's Crazy! I've been using http://jobbi.com for posting my resume and applying to alot of jobs. I've been getting great feedback so far and don't have to do all that. It just depends. But great advice to keep in mind when applying to jobs! thanks good luck

josephine bolasco	Tuesday, May 19, 2009 8:39 PM
josephine_bolasco

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About This Author

Sheila Nazari

HR / Recruitment Manager , Knight Transportation

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