There are a variety of ways to apply for jobs and how you submit your job application depends on what the company wants applicants to do.
Applicants for employment can apply online for positions at a large number of job sites or apply directly at company web sites. At many businesses, especially in the retail and hospitality industries, employment applications can be completed in person. When companies do not require a formal job application, your resume and cover letter will be your application.
The most important rule to remember when applying for jobs is to follow the directions. If the employer tells you to apply in person, don't call. If the job posting says to mail your resume, do not send it via email. When the job listing says apply via a form on the company web site, don't email your application.
Be sure include everything the job posting asks for, and don't include information, like references or salary history, that the company doesn't request.
The other thing that's important is to be sure your job application is complete and accurate. If you're not sure about the information you'll need to complete it, download a sample job application form and fill it out. That way, you'll know exactly what information you need to apply.
More: Job Application Guide | Sample Employment Applications | Job Listings
Image Copyright Jan Stastny
Applying to jobs is still a requirement however your readers would do well to focus their time on improving their on line footprint, through sites like LinkedIn, VisualCV and facebook as well as develop an efficient strategy. Employers today are turning away from the applicants and seeking candidates through active recruiting of proactive professionals-those that have persuasive profiles on the sites just mentioned.
Thanks Paul. I agree, that’s certainly the case for professional applicants and I do have lots of advice on using professional and social networking sites when you’re job searching:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/findajob/u/findajob.htm#s8
That’s not typically the case with hourly jobs and entry level postions though – job applications are still the way most employers hire. Plus, some employers require applications regardless of how they sourced the candidate.