Work in Retirement
Your "Work in Retirement" Guides
Questions and Answers
How do I apply for a job online?
— William Mc Mullin
Dear William,
Applying for a job online can take several forms. You might be responding to an advertisement listed in an online job bank, a posting to an online resume database or applying directly to a position through an employer's web site.
The first step in applying for a job online is to have a well prepared resume. Your resume should be an individualized presentation of your employment, education and relevant experiences. The resume must be accomplishment oriented, concise and accurate.
Resumes submitted online are often scanned for keywords, so be certain that you have included relevant keywords for the position you are seeking. For example, if you are applying for financial positions, keywords might include accounts payable, Excel, tax, cash flow, etc.
Most requests for resumes will specify how the resume is to be sent. Be sure to follow these instructions when given. Save your resume as a plain text file so that you can paste it into an email or into an online form. You may be asked to send your Word document resume as an attachment. Your cover letter written specifically for the position to which you are applying should be included, either as part of the email message or the first page of your resume attachment.
It is important that applying for jobs online is only one of several strategies that you are using to look for your next job. Identifying and contacting employers you would be interested in working for can result in finding openings that have not been advertised to the public. You will also want to be speaking with your network of professional contacts, association members, past co-workers, alumni networks, neighbors, friends and family.
Thanks for writing and best career wishes to you in 2006!