Tackling Online Applications

Online application forms work like precision tools for recruiters, allowing them to sift through candidates by using specific criteria.

An online application form can take one to three hours to complete, depending on the number of questions and what each company expects. They may be time-consuming, but they’re also convenient and often employers’ preferred choice in this digital age.

But on top of uploading your resume and cover letter, these application forms also need you to answer questions with regards to your skills and motivations. With each company having its own customised form, make sure that you don’t just copy and paste your answers! Continue reading to get some tips on how to handle online applications effectively.

1.

Show, don’t just tell

Back up your statements with examples or details to prove your point. If you just provide unsubstantiated one-liners, recruiters can’t assess you properly, hurting your chances at getting an interview.

Don’t just put “I gained commercial awareness through my past internship” – talk about how you gained this knowledge and use a specific example for illustration.

When it comes to stating your motivations for applying for a particular role, make sure your write-up is succinct and impactful. Elaborate on the aspects of the role that appeal to you and state any related academic or work experience.

2. Shine like a STAR

When filling in online applications, remember the STAR technique to keep your answers concise and tothe-point: • Describe the Situation • Describe the Tasks involved • Describe the Actions you took • Describe the Results

This technique is especially useful when writing about your previous work experiences and demonstrating how your skill sets and personality traits make you a snug fit for the role. Don’t be afraid to use subheadings and bullet points – they’ll make it easier for recruiters to read, too.

3.

Write each answer afresh

Don’t copy over an answer you used on another form, no matter how similar the questions may seem! At the very least, tweak your answers strategically to fit the role you’re applying for.

The biggest mistake you can make is to leave any traces or mention of the previous companies you applied for when you paste the same answers over and over again to a myriad of potential employers.

And, whatever you do, don’t copy and paste information directly from the employer’s – or their competitors’ – websites! Company websites and social media pages may be useful research resources, but you should still digest and process the information at your own pace. Take the time to develop an understanding of the industry and prospective employers from your own unique perspective. Many otherwise impressive applications are often let down by tiny errors, and unfortunately, not all forms may allow you to save your responses or refer back to previous pages for checks.

To save yourself the heartache of lost answers in the event of browser issues or when Murphy’s Law comes into play, you can choose to draft your answers on word-processing programmes before keying them into the form when you’re satisfied with your answers.

You can also let your career advisor check your answers before the official submission. For questions that you aren’t providing answers for, leave an “NA” for “not applicable”.

Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and make sure that you indicate your contact information correctly, especially in the case of your email address and mobile number.

Lastly, keep a copy of each online application sent out for your own reference. You can even print out the completed forms to check before submission. You’ll also need to refer to your answers so that you know what to speak about when you are called up for the interview.