Tackling Online Applications

Online application forms work like precision tools for recruiters, allowing them to sift through candidates 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. Yes, you didn’t read that wrong. One to three hours. They may be time-consuming, but they’re also convenient and often employers’ preferred choice in this digital age.

This is because on top of uploading your resume and cover letter, these online forms also need you to answer a variety of questions with regards to your skills and motivations.

As each company has its own customised form, make sure that you don’t just copy and paste information from one document to another! Here are 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 unsubstantial one-liners, recruiters cannot accurately assess you, jeopardising your odds of being offered an interview.

For example, don’t just say “I gained commercial awareness through my internship”. Instead, 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 job that appeal to you and state any related academic or work experience.

2 Shine like a STAR

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

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

3 Start each answer afresh 4 Check, check, check

Don’t copy over an answer you used on another form, no matter how similar the questions may seem. And even if you were to do so, you would have to tweak your answers strategically to fit the role you’re applying for, anyway.

The biggest mistake you can make is to leave any traces or mention of the previous companies you’ve applied to when you’re merely pasting the same answers for many different 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 for your job hunt, but you should still digest and process the information at your own pace so that you develop you own 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 allow you to save your responses to refer back and 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 a word-processing programme before keying them into the form.

You can also let your career advisor check your answers before the official submission. For questions that you’re not providing answers for, leave an “NA” for “not applicable”. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure you have indicated your contact information correctly, especially 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 talk about if you’re called for an interview.