applications
Provide Your Application Online
Why you should make the switch from paper job applications
REBECCA L. JOHNSON, CPOT, COT, COE
While a well-written resume provides a nice overview of potential job candidates, you should also ask him/her to complete a job application. The reason: Job seekers leverage their resume to highlight skills, abilities and accomplishments, while weaknesses are more easily identified in an application. (See “Job Application Legalities,” below).
The two options for job applications: paper applications and online applications.
Here, I explain the advantages of online applications.
Online services aid creation.
You may not be sure what to include in a job application. Several online form-builders are available to assist you.
An example is Formstack, which has user-friendly templates with drag and drop functionality to help you create a personalized application form you can easily embed into your website. Another example of an online form builder is Adobe FormsCentral, which offers a limited free version.
They allow unlimited space.
Paper applications have a limited amount of space for answers. Therefore, you may pass on a qualified candidate because he/she did not have the needed room to explain things, such as breaks in employment.
Through online applications, candidates can provide as much information as they deem necessary to inform you of their qualifications and job-related skills.
| Job Applications Legalities |
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Laws vary from state to state, but the following information should be read and acknowledged by applicants: • Release of information. Ask for a signature giving you permission to check references. • Work authorization statement. Proof of identity and work authorization is required of all employees by the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Use the following statement: “Applicants are required to furnish proof of identity and legal work authorization prior to hire.” • Drug testing. List this in the application if you plan drug tests. • False information statement. Inform applicants that submissions of false statements are not tolerated (incentive to give accurate information). |
They are easy to file.
Paper applications require more time to handle and file. With online applications, an electronic copy of the application can be filed in a “human resource” folder on a computer, allowing easy access for future job openings.
They are convenient.
Anyone who has ever sat in an office trying to fill out a job application would agree that online applications are more convenient.
Applicants who have an opportunity to complete the application online can more easily access information they need for the application, rather than sitting in your office and trying to remember all the information for their references, job history, etc.
You can add links.
You may want to include personality or skills tests with your application. This is easily accomplished with online applications by adding links to online tests.
Start today.
It is my experience that losing an employee seems to come at the worst possible time. I suggest that you make your online application now, and place it on a hidden page on your website. When the time comes, all you have to do is publish the page. OM
REBECCA JOHNSON IS THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF EYETRAIN4YOU, AN OPHTHALMIC STAFF COACHING AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY. E-MAIL HER AT REBECCA@EYETRAIN4YOU, OR SEND COMMENTS TO OPTOMETRICMANAGEMENT@GMAIL.COM.
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