Applying for a job through an online application may be simple to do, but it poses a great challenge for the job-seeker looking to get their resume noticed. In an effort to decrease the number of physical applications that hiring managers need to look through, companies have turned to the internet to complete the first step of the hiring process for them. Online applications ensure that all resumes look the same, and thus it may seem as if your ability to sell yourself in an outstanding way is eliminated. However, this can be easily overcome by following a few simple and creative tips. You know that you are the best candidate for the job—don’t let your resume be overlooked!
Add Personality
When an online application is fill-in-the-blank, use your cover letter as your chance to really catch the eye of the recruiter. Adding a personal logo on your cover sheet will help your resume to catch the eye of the hiring manager. A personal logo can be easily created using desktop publishing software, and help your resume to stand out above the rest. Just as with a company logo, make your personal logo representative of your personality, unique traits, and what you stand for.
Action-Pack Your Language
Online resume forms will generally include an “accomplishments” section, and when filling these in, pay attention to wording. Writing in the passive voice sounds less powerful than writing in the active voice, so switch to an active voice. Eliminate phrases such as “responsibilities included…” and replace with phrases such as “Responsible for…” Additionally, beginning phrases with action verbs instead of nouns and modifiers will professionalize your resume and position you as a candidate with exceptional verbal skills.
Link Your Life
Use the online aspect of fill-in-the-blank applications to your advantage, and include links to social networking profiles, work examples, or personal webpages. These links show your potential employer that you are both web-savvy and can provide a great deal of additional information that will help you stand out in the job search. Form emails do not allow for creativity to be shown, but through including web links, recruiters will be able to see what makes you a unique and outstanding candidate.
Include Keywords
Many human resources departments are beginning to use resume reading software that are designed to scan online resumes and job applications to determine which ones should be further looked at by the hiring manager. These systems select resumes based on the presence of specific keywords that most closely match the job description. Thus, if the job is looking for an “energetic motivator”, make sure to include that you are an “energetic motivator”, providing that you can live up to this once on the job.
Keep it Simple
It is a generally accepted fact that resumes should not exceed more than a couple pages, and this holds true for online form resumes. Online forms are not in a page format, so it can be tempting to include an excess of information, but be careful to avoid this error. Keep the information that you include to a concise minimum, including only relevant job and personal information. If you are unsure of how long your form resume is, try copy and pasting the text into a word document to check for length before you submit your application.
