Almost everyone knows how to apply for jobs online these days. While it’s not unheard of, few people tend to show up in person with a hard copy of their resume.
The real question is: do you know how to apply for jobs online effectively?
It isn’t as simple as sending out a generic resume to as many jobs as you can find online. You’ll actually have a harder time finding a job if that’s your approach! However, if you approach your online applications strategically, you’ll increase your chances of finding (and getting!) a job.
Making a Great First Impression
Making a great first impression is hard to do online; you seemingly have very little control over how you’re perceived.
That’s why how you apply for jobs is so important! Having a job application strategy is how you can take control and make a solid first impression. When you apply for jobs in a strategic, well-thought-out manner, you’re showing hiring managers that you’re intelligent, resourceful, and effective.
Where to Search for Jobs Online
Before you can figure out how to apply for jobs online, you need to figure out where to apply. Most people start their job search on Indeed and stop there too, but Indeed isn’t always your best resource. What is? Well, that depends.
Where you are in your career greatly influences where you should be looking for jobs. Or, at the very least, where you should start your search.
If You’re a Recent Grad
As a recent graduate, you most likely have limited experience in your field. If that’s the case, then Indeed is a perfect place to start. There are a lot of jobs posted there, and you can use the filters to find great entry-level positions.
You can also check out my post on how to apply for jobs with no experience. (add link)
If You’re Mid-Career
If you’ve got a few years of experience under your belt (think 3–5 years), Indeed is still an excellent resource for you, but I also recommend checking company pages and LinkedIn. You can expand your opportunities by actively searching beyond job boards like Indeed.
I would also suggest sending your resume to a recruitment agency if you’re currently unemployed. Agencies are always looking for skilled candidates for both contract and permanent roles. And don’t shy away from contract positions; it’s a great way to get your foot in the door with some stellar companies.
Don’t send your resume to recruitment agencies if you’re currently employed. It’s not effective because permanent (a.k.a. executive search) recruiters usually headhunt candidates, and temporary or contract roles typically aren’t able to wait for you to give two weeks’ notice. The more effective approach is to connect with recruiters on LinkedIn and message them privately to let them know you’re open to new opportunities.
If You’re a Senior/Executive-Level Employee
You’re more likely to be headhunted at the senior/executive level, but if you find yourself actively searching for new employment, then start with recruitment agencies.
Sound like a strange recommendation?
The reason I recommend starting with recruitment agencies is that you’re a prime candidate for permanent employment. Agencies (a.k.a. search firms) often get positions that are not posted yet. These positions may never be posted, which is why it is so advantageous to develop strong relationships with recruiters.
Overall, no matter where you are in your career, you should take advantage of all online resources. My recommendations are based on where I think you should start and where you’d be more likely to succeed.
Follow the Instructions
Once you’ve determined that you’re going to apply for a position, make sure you read the instructions in the job posting very carefully. The last thing you want is to look like you can’t follow instructions!
The instructions are almost always located near the bottom of the posting. There you’ll find the company’s preferred application method. Some postings specifically request that you submit your resume via email rather than applying directly through the platform. If it isn’t mentioned, it’s safe to assume you can apply directly through Indeed.
Not all companies will penalize you for applying directly through Indeed, but it’s still better to follow the instructions. It shows that you read and understood the job posting and proves that you’ve made a conscious decision to apply for that specific position instead of blindly applying for anything and everything.
You will also find instructions for follow-ups. Due to the high volume of applicants, many companies will request that you do not call or follow up on your application. Instead, they let you know that only suitable applicants will be contacted. If you see this, be sure to respect it! When you’ve been asked not to, calling the company is a surefire way to annoy the hiring manager.
Do You Need a Cover Letter?
In my opinion, cover letters are outdated! However, they’re not entirely dead, so again, I’m going to say that it depends on the job you’re applying for.
Some positions will specifically require that you submit a cover letter. In that case, you need to follow instructions and submit a cover letter. The Balance Careers has an excellent guide for writing interview-winning cover letters.
If a cover letter isn’t explicitly requested, then you’re in a bit of a gray area. I would say that if you’re applying directly to a company, include a cover letter. If you’re applying to a recruitment agency, don’t bother. A company may still expect a cover letter regardless of whether they asked for one, while I can guarantee you that a recruiter will rarely look at it.
How to Tailor Your Resume
To make a strong first impression, you must have a great resume. Never, ever, ever send a general resume! You want to show that you’re the strongest candidate for the job, and to do that, you need to tailor your resume.
To tailor your resume, look at the job description carefully. Be sure to look for the keywords from the tasks and responsibilities section as well as from the qualifications or requirements section because these are the things that the hiring manager or Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will be looking for.
Ensure you include the exact words and phrases, especially if you’re applying directly through a company website. While a hiring manager may have the ability to understand synonyms, an ATS is more likely to filter out your resume. Don’t worry about it looking like you’ve copied these words and phrases from the job description; that’s what you’re supposed to do.
Pro tip: So what do you do if you’re interested in more than one job at a single company? Tailor your resume for each! Always make sure you look like the best candidate for each specific job. A lot of companies will have multiple recruiters assigned to different positions so your resume may be seen by a few different people.
How to Format Your Resume
Formatting your resume is extremely important! However, how you format your resume affects whether it gets seen by an actual human being. And guess what, PDF isn’t always your best choice.
When you’re emailing your resume directly to a hiring manager, then PDF is a great option. The benefit of PDF is that it ensures your resume is showing up as God intended and doesn’t require paid tools to be viewed. You don’t want to put in a lot of work tailoring your resume to perfection and have it appear like a jumbled mess once it’s received!
So then, when is PDF not a good option?
When you’re applying through a company’s career page, your resume will be filtered through an ATS. In this case, you’re better off submitting your resume as a Microsoft Word document because it is more scanner-friendly than its PDF counterpart.
One mistake I see frequently is candidates sending their resumes as a Google document. I would avoid this if possible because often, the document has restricted access and is unviewable. Sure, the hiring manager or recruiter could request access, but it’s more likely that they’ll just move on to the next candidate (after all, they’ve got hundreds to choose from.)
Pro tip: If you must send your resume in Google Docs format, test out the link in your browser’s Incognito mode.
How Many Jobs Should You Apply To?
Another mistake I see frequently is candidates applying for every available position. To be blunt, that is a waste of everyone’s time. It’s a lot of work for you if you’re actually tailoring your resume (ahem, like you’re supposed to).
Instead, read the job description carefully. Are you qualified for the position? Is this something you want to do? Is the pay in line with what you want and need? If not, then keep looking. There isn’t much sense in applying for a job you wouldn’t take.
Once you decide that the job sounds interesting and meets your needs, you should research the company next. I’ve had candidates turn down roles because they don’t want to work for certain companies, and I’m always thankful for their honesty. As a recruiter, I don’t advertise the companies I’m hiring for, so there isn’t a lot candidates can do ahead of time, but if you’re applying directly to a company, make sure it is somewhere you want to work.
Once you confirm that you’re genuinely interested in the position (as well as the company it is at), then you can apply!
As for how many jobs you can apply for? Well, there isn’t a specific number. You just have to make sure that you are genuinely interested in anything you apply for. One thing I’ll note is that your interest may change at somepoint through the hiring process; that’s okay. If, at any point, you feel that you are longer interested, then it is perfectly fine to bow out gracefully.
Keep Organized
The beauty of applying for jobs online is that you can apply to way more than you ever could if you had to walk around handing out paper copies of your resume. However, there is one pitfall; it’s easy to forget which jobs you’ve applied for.
To keep yourself from the ever embarrassing, “uh, sorry, which job is this for again?”, keep yourself organized by keeping records (a.k.a. saving everything).
I like to make folders that include the job title and company in its name. That folder is where I save my tailored resume and cover letter. By keeping your resume and cover letter in a labeled folder, you can easily print them when you get an interview (and yes, you should still have a printed copy of your resume in front of you for virtual interviews!) I also save a copy of the job posting, so I can quickly refresh the details.
Pro tip: don’t just save the link to the job posting! Print to PDF or copy and paste into a Microsoft Word document. You can even take a screen capture it if that’s easier! Why? Because when jobs are refreshed on sites like Indeed, the URL changes.
Final Thoughts on How to Apply for Jobs Online
Just because applying for jobs online is easy doesn’t mean there isn’t some strategy involved! An effective job application strategy can make all the difference and give you a competitive edge.
To make a great first impression, remember:
- Search for jobs through the most effective channel for you
- Follow instructions carefully
- Tailor and format your resume appropriately
- Only apply to jobs and companies that you’re genuinely interested in
- Keep yourself organized
Do you have any other great job application tips? Share them with us in the comments!