Apply for jobs online - but follow directions

Apply for jobs online? Seems like that’s the usual way to find work these days. If you want to apply for jobs online, it’s important that you follow directions set out by the potential employer.

Employers frequently post job ads on their websites, Internet job boards and recruiters’ websites. And they often expect applicants to send their resumes through email or online forms. Even when employers advertise in newspapers, many ask candidates to send applications by email. Whatever the case, make sure you read the job ad carefully.

Tips to help you apply for jobs online

• If you are asked to submit your resume via email, don’t use mail, fax or in-person delivery. Send your resume by email.

• Check to see whether you should include your resume in the email or as an attachment.

• Does the job posting say email your resume in text format? Paste a text version of your resume into your email. Make sure the formatting looks okay, since you may not be able to use some of the features of your word processor.

• Have you been told to put a specific keyword in the “subject” line of your email? Make sure the subject line matches any instructions. Otherwise, your email may not make it past spam filters and managers keen to delete your non-standard resume.

• Use keywords from the job posting, espeically in your resume career profile and resume career objective. Both human and electronic scanners will pay more attention if your resume shows those keywords. And someone searching a database will be more likely to find you if you have the keywords they use.

Follow directions, no matter how odd they seem to you. If you don’t follow directions from the get-go, the employer may treat it as a sign of things to come.

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