10+ Best Tips for Applying for Jobs Online

Going through the process of submitting job applications online can feel like a full-time job in and of itself. It’s not uncommon to find yourself burnt out by applying for jobs.

However, it’s crucial to take a step back and remind yourself that although this might be your fifth application today, for each hiring manager, it’s their first encounter with your qualifications and potential. By adopting a few strategic habits, you can stand out from the crowded pool of applicants, elevate the quality of your online job applications, and streamline the entire process.

Picture this: a resume that catches the eye instantly, an application tracking system (ATS) that keeps you organized, and personalized cover letters that speak directly to the hiring managers. Sound like a dream come true? Let’s dive in and explore how we can get you there.

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11 Tips for Success When Submitting Online Job Applications

Use these tips to ensure that your online applications reach the right people and make a lasting impression.

1. Update Your Resume

Everywhere you look, someone is telling you to tailor your resume to the job. But what does that mean exactly? Do you need to rewrite your resume for every job? No, absolutely not.

One of the best things you can do to set your job search up for success is to create a resume template for each job title you’re targeting before you start applying for jobs online. Essential updates for your resume include new roles, education, and skills you’ve gained.

To customize your resume for the job, choose achievements that best convey your job fit. For instance, you might have been the highest-performing internet sales agent in a previous sales role, but if you’re applying for a leadership position, you should include ways you helped drive team sales and mentored new sales agents.

Create a document with all your achievements listed in bullet points for each job you’ve held. As you apply for roles, you can quickly copy and paste those into your resume for quick updates, rather than starting from scratch each time.

Finally, the resume summary is where you’ll want to fine-tune your vocabulary. Make it specific to each role, and ensure it accurately reflects your experience and expectations.

When you’re in the middle of a job search, cut down on the time you need to invest in each application. Consider leveraging AI for ideation and a professional resume builder for quick updates.

2. Customize Your Cover Letter

Do you consider cover letters a hassle? A document that’s a bit like a cover page, rather than a functional piece of your submission? If so, you’re undervaluing the potential of cover letters. Resumes are, by nature, more formal. Cover letters are your opportunity to showcase your personality and enthusiasm.

Of course, you still need to keep it professional. However, this is a great time to connect the dots for the hiring manager. They don’t have time to analyze how your skill set might fit into the role, so you can use your cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the position.

Utilize your company research and the keywords you pulled for your resume update. In no more than three or four short paragraphs, you can highlight a few key details that make you the perfect candidate for the position.

3. Use Keywords

The importance of using keywords to get past applicant tracking systems can’t be overstated. When you’re ready to apply for a job, incorporate the skills and keywords you find in the job description in your application materials.

Keywords are the essential skills for the role that the hiring manager has stated they’re looking for. These can range from technical skills to people skills you’ll need to excel in the role. The more often a keyword is utilized, the more critical it is in the eyes of the hiring manager.

With your keywords in hand, adjusting your resume to include those keywords should be easy. Take a moment to put yourself in the hiring manager’s position. Read your resume and consider if you’re accurately conveying what a great fit you are for the role.

4. Update Your Social Media

In addition to your resume and cover letter, your social media is often the next thing that recruiters look at to ensure you’re a great culture fit. Before you submit your application, verify that your social media complements the information in your resume and cover letter.

For example, do you state on LinkedIn that you’re a career coach, but your resume lists you as a recruiter? You might think those are obvious dots to connect, but when a hiring manager compares your resume and LinkedIn profile, they will likely be unsure of your current career status and goals.

Don’t muddle your personal brand during your job search. If you’re branching out into a side hustle, that’s great, but it might be best to put that on hold until you’ve landed your next position if it doesn’t directly align with the roles you’re applying to. Ensure that in every space a recruiter comes into contact with your brand, they get the same message.

5. Read Directions Fully

There are often details hidden in the job description that you need to pay attention to. Some major ones to look for are directions on how to submit your resume. The employer might request the resume in a specific format, like a PDF. There might also be instructions to send your application to a designated email address, sometimes even with a specific subject line for your email.

Is the company asking for a cover letter, and if so, how do they want it presented? Some employers prefer the cover letter to be a separate document, while others may ask for it to be included in the same file as your resume. In some cases, the employer may even request that your cover be pasted into the body of an email.

Failing to follow application instructions can lead to your application being tossed out without ever getting eyes on it. Employers might be looking for your attention to detail and ability to follow directions.

6. Don’t Apply to Every Job

When it comes to quality over quantity, job searching is no exception. You’ll likely have more success if you spend time on a few well-tailored applications.

Focusing on positions that match your skills, experiences, and career goals increases the likelihood of advancing through the recruitment process. When you apply to jobs that truly excite you and align with your professional objectives, you can display more enthusiasm throughout the entire job search process.

Not to mention, when you apply to every job that seems remotely relevant, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applications to manage, leading to increased stress and decreased motivation. Skipping jobs that aren’t a great fit helps you avoid job search burnout.

And don’t be afraid to pass on applications that feel a little off. They might be a scam or they might be invasive, asking for too much personal information at this early stage in the application process. Either way, only share what you’re comfortable with.

7. Get Your Portfolio in Shape

A polished and professional portfolio is an excellent way to elevate your personal brand and enhance your application. A portfolio is a showcase of your best work, demonstrating your skills and experiences in a visual way that a resume can’t. When choosing which projects to include, select the ones that highlight your abilities and align with the types of roles you’re pursuing.

For example, if you’re applying for a design role, include your most creative and innovative design projects, but leave out the ones that highlight your skills in event management. If it’s a programming role, include coding projects or apps you’ve helped develop but not the technical communications documents you worked on in college.

Pay attention to the visual appeal of your portfolio, ensuring that it’s organized and easy to navigate. Showcase a range of skills and adaptability throughout your projects.

8. Track Your Applications

Staying organized is a critical aspect of the job search process. Keep a meticulous record of where and when you applied for each position. That record is vital for following up within the right time frame and modifying your job search strategies when you’re not seeing the results you wanted.

You can use a spreadsheet, a handwritten list, or a job application tracker. Include details like:

  • The company’s name
  • The position you applied for
  • The date you applied
  • Contact details, if you have them
  • Follow-up dates
  • Notes or details specific to the role

By keeping track of the responses you receive, whether they’re rejections, invitations for interviews, or no response at all, you can start to identify patterns. For example, you may notice that applications for a specific type of role or in a particular industry yield more positive responses. With that information, you can adjust your job search strategy accordingly, focusing more on the areas where you are seeing success and reevaluating or modifying when they’re not.

9. Have a Professional Email

It might seem insignificant, but the email you choose for your job applications plays a significant role in your professional image. It’s often the first point of contact where an employer can get a peek at your personality. Opt for a simple and mature email address; one that incorporates your name is generally a great option.

Avoid using whimsical or overly personal email addresses you might have created before you launched your job search. Email addresses like coolgamer123@gmail.com or partylover2000@yahoo.com can undermine the professionalism of your application and may not be taken seriously by recruiters.

Also, the email address you use needs to be one you check daily. Prompt responses to emails from recruiters and hiring managers are vital. It shows your eagerness and interest in the position and keeps the flow of communication running smoothly. Missing an email about an interview opportunity or a request for further information can mean missing out on a potential job offer.

10. Touch Base With References

Before you list your references on your application, let them know. Not only is it courteous, but it gives you a chance to verify that their contact information is still the same and whether they’re available and willing to be a reference for you.

Keep in mind that you might not always use the same references for every position. Choose references based on the position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a leadership role, a reference who used to report to you can carry a lot of value in sharing your team management skills.

Once you’ve selected your references, share some context about the types of roles you’re applying for. This is an excellent opportunity to mention a specific trait you hope they’ll highlight. What stood out in your professional experiences might carry less weight for them—your references might only recall the situation or detail you’re hoping they’ll discuss once you’ve jogged their memory.

11. Follow Up

Your application process isn’t complete simply because you’ve pushed submit. Effectively following up after submitting a job application can significantly influence your chances of being considered for the position. It’s an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the role and the organization, as well as to keep your name fresh in the recruiter’s mind.

So, when should follow-up happen? There’s no official rule, but following up one week after applying is considered good professional etiquette. If you don’t hear anything, you can follow up with another email about a week later.

When you follow up, you have a few goals. First, show your interest in the position and the company in general. Highlight any specific aspects of the job or company that particularly appeal to you and any additional thoughts that may have occurred since your application was submitted.

Be professional and concise. Acknowledge that the hiring manager has a busy schedule and review your email before you push send to ensure you aren’t unintentionally coming across as demanding or entitled.

How to Fill Out Job Applications Online

Filling out a job application doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Use these tips to streamline the application process.

1. Have Your Information on Hand

Before you begin filling out a job application, ensure you have all the necessary information. Compile the details you share repeatedly, such as your name, phone number, and email, in a note-taking or document app. Then, you can quickly copy and paste those details into each application.

Next, gather your employment history and create a detailed list of previous employers, job titles, and dates of employment. You’ll also need your education history, covering the dates and schools you attended, along with degrees earned. Gather your professional references as well, so you have everything you need to submit your application.

2. Sign Into Job Portals

Portals aren’t just for online shopping anymore. Many companies are requiring job seekers to apply through an online portal. You’ll generally be required to create an account and sign in before you can apply. Use the same email and username for each portal, but consider using a password manager for individual sites to protect your personal data.

3. Apply on the Company Website

Avoid using third-party websites to submit your application. While job boards are an excellent source of job openings, you want to submit your application directly through the company’s website when possible. There can be glitches and technical issues, and you don’t want your application to get lost in the online shuffle.

4. Know Your Availability

From the date you can start to the hours you can work, the company needs to know when you’ll be available to determine if you’ll meet their hiring needs. When filling out the availability section of a job application, be honest and realistic about the hours you’re available to work. If you have some flexibility in your schedule, indicate that too. Companies often prefer candidates who are open to working different shifts or adapting their schedules.

5. Follow Instructions

One of the most important things to remember when filling out a job application is to follow the application instructions carefully. This means paying attention to details, such as preferred resume formats, and answering open-ended questions. By following the instructions, you’ll demonstrate your attention to detail and ability to follow directions.

6. Complete Employment Tests

You might be required to take additional testing, such as skills assessments or personality tests, as part of the hiring process. While these tests may seem intimidating, they provide valuable insights into your skills and abilities that may not come across in a traditional job application.

When completing employment tests, make sure to take your time and answer honestly. These tests are designed to find the best fit for the company and you, so giving your all is essential.

Find Application Success

Filling out job applications online can be overwhelming, but with the right approach, it can become a manageable task. Focus on building helpful routines, and remember that each job application is a chance to connect with a real human on the other side. So, take the time to be detail-oriented. Before you know it, you’ll be moving into your new job.

One of the best ways to ensure that you can break through online application systems is with a steady stream of excellent job leads, which is where FlexJobs comes in! With new jobs posted daily in over 50 career categories, our jobs database has something for everyone. Take the tour and discover a better way to job search!

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