How to Apply for Jobs Online
You’ve found a job that you’re interested in and you want to apply for it, but you don’t know how. The internet offers many techniques to use and many online resources, of which this blog post is one.
This blog post will go through the process of finding jobs online, browsing them and applying for them. We’ll also explore other sources that can help you in your search and give advice on what not to do with regards to finding a new job: on the internet or in person.
Searching for Jobs Online
There are many ways to search for your next job. The web offers a variety of different tools, but the most common way is by going to a job website or a search engine.
How to find it?
When searching online you’re looking for websites that have either jobs posted or job applications which can be used to get an interview. The first things you should do is make sure that the site is legitimate; before you submit any personal information onto sites, make sure they are reputable and safe. Look up the company and make sure they are not doing anything suspicious (scams). Is the site regularly updated?
Once you’ve checked to make sure the website is legit, you should browse the site for jobs. Look for specific job titles that interest you. Once you find a job title that interests you visit their company website (if they are linked from their search results) and click on the left-hand side navigation bar, where there will be an option called “Careers” or something similar to it. The names of employers can change every now and again, so when looking through jobs online make sure to look for the name on other sites as well.
Search Engines are a popular way to find jobs online. More and more companies are using these services to advertise their vacancies, and even some sites like Monster (a popular job website) have their own job boards using these services as well.
How to use these job boards?
Begin by looking through the search results for a particular position listed on the company’s site and then click on the "Apply" button (usually marked with a big green "Apply" button) on the top right of the page. Either that or type in the company's name into your browser's address bar, followed by "/jobs/" or "/careers/" at the end if you want to go straight to their website.
If you’re using a search engine, start typing in the name of the company you’re interested in until you see their website appear. Then click on the “Jobs” or “Careers” link from the navigation bar on the left side of the page.
Eventually, you should be directed to an individual page for a particular job on that site. Check to make sure it is legitimate and has all of the information that is required and that it is current (posted recently).
When you’re done with that, jump over to other sites and try to find similar jobs. Just because they are not on the very first page doesn’t mean they aren’t good jobs. There are many instances where the job you are looking for isn’t at the top of the list, but it is still a good one that needs filling. If you can find two or more similar jobs posted on different websites then it means there is more competition between employers to get that position filled.
If you’re looking for a job that is temporary, again, there are many sites to look on. The most commonly used ones are Monster and Indeed, but there are others as well. Check out the links below to read more.
If you’re not sure how to do this then you can go back to your search results and click on the “More Information” link or write down the website address and search it later using Google or Yahoo. If they list all of their staff openings then it's likely that a temporary position will also be posted on their website.
If you’re using a temporary agency, which may be useful if you’re currently unemployed and looking for a short-term position, then you can contact them directly and check out their website for their current job openings.
How to Apply for Jobs Online
After you have found a job post that interests you and is not just an ad for scams then it’s time to fill out an application. Most applications are now done online as employers don’t want as many people coming in because they don't want to spend more time interviewing people. If the employer wants to talk with you then they will give you a phone call.
You can either create a profile on the company’s online network (usually through an online application) or sign in to the company website using your personal details. Create a new account, use it for one job application then delete it. The valuable thing is that you will have created your own unique login so that you can apply for future jobs without having to create another account.
When creating an online profile make sure to give your contact details at the top of the page and not in the "profile" section, as you do not want your personal information shared with everyone else who may also be applying for a job with that company/organization.
For the actual job application itself, you can use your own personal details or create another online profile (but remember to delete it afterwards). Some employers want you to fill out a resume before you apply for the job so make sure to check if this is required before wasting your time.
Some employers may require you to upload your own resume/CV or attach it directly as a document so make sure that this is done. If they do have a separate section for documents then just upload your resume/CV and send it through. Be sure that they have the correct contact information; if they are asking for an email address make sure that they have an email address instead of something else like Skype, Facebook, Twitter etc.
Once you have submitted your application and given them all of the relevant details then wait for a response. They may not call you straight away, but they will usually let you know when they are going to call. If you are given the job then don't worry about the phone interview, it is often just a formality to make sure you are who you say you are.
If they don't call then this could be because they haven't received your application or someone else may be applying for the same job. Either way, take it as a compliment that they liked what they saw on your profile/application or that your skills and experience matched those required by them.
Conclusion
Though the economy has improved since the recession, there are still millions of people out of work around the world. Recruiting staff by hiring employees is a good way to save money and resources, as you can use their skills instead of employing new staff from scratch.
No matter what type of job you are looking for (full-time, part-time or temporary) there are plenty of jobs available through many different websites and outlets for employers to find potential candidates. If you have any comments or questions about this article then please leave them in the comment box below.