Online Job Applications: Advantages and Disadvantages
The Bigger the Chain, the More Likely It's a Paperless Application Process
Some advantages to online employment applications: The obvious advantages are for both the prospective employee, as well as the job-hunter. Potential employers no longer need to devote as much time as before with those filling out an application on site. This allows management the chance to place more focus on where it's needed - the day-to-day operations.
While the employer will also enjoy slightly less costs by not paying for the printing of blank applications, the job seeker can do the majority of their work search from one convenient location. It's always good to save gas, and time, when unemployed. Add to this the elimination of a need to print up several copies of a resume, and the work search process becomes much easier for all parties involved. Anything that can save time in a job search must be good, right?
Some disadvantages to online employment applications: Fortunately, there are very few disadvantages, but they're still there. For the employer, it's a case of not getting a "first impression" of the job applicant, when they're applying. For the job seeker, one of the best aspects of a paper application is the ability to control more of what information is provided (e.g., "Will provide on interview," instead of giving out a social security number). For those few who are going from self-employment to looking for work, there's no real wage amount that can be answered, either.
Another disadvantage to placing your job application online is the lack of an opportunity to "sell yourself" into an immediate job interview on-the-spot. The most ambitious of job seekers are those who ask for an interview, or at least an appointment, as they hand their job application to the supervisor.
It's not just restaurants going online, either. At first, the companies that went exclusively online with their job application process were national fast-food chains like Burger King, PepsiCo properties like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Now, the trend is growing into other industries. In all likelihood, if you're looking for work today, expect to be directed to the company website.
Source:
Personal experience
Published by Donald Pennington - Featured Contributor in Politics
Donald contributes on a wide variety of topics. Among his favorites are movie reviews, political commentary, divorce, and crime commentary. See something you like? Share it on Twitter! View profile
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15 Comments
Post a CommentExpecting people who are applying for maintenance jobs, shelf stocking jobs, check out counter jobs and the like to be computer literate is discrimination, IMO. Not everyone has a computer, or is computer literate. I have a 22-year-old nephew who is having a dickens of a time finding a job just for this reason.
Has this process eliminated "blank application forms"? Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that way. Over the last three years, I have applied for quite a few jobs since my current one is ruining my private life and family. Every place that was interested called me in for an interview where I was asked to fill out an application on their own form before even talking to me. Seven of them used the same generic form for this purpose. Oh, and let's not forget that three of them turned me down because I speak very little Spanish. This is a problem that I will be tackling again when I run for President in 2012. I have friends in a number of countries, and it appears that this is the only one where you can't get hired if you only speak your native language.
Everything has become so impersonal. In my day (I can't believe I'm even using that term), I could walk into a place of employment, fill out an application, and walk out with a job. Today I would have no less than 3 interviews before I would even get offered the job.
I think it's really hard to make yourself stand out from the crowd through an online job app. I like the old-fashioned way better!
The only real advantage in online apps is avoiding the disappointment of being told you're not needed in that face to face meeting.
I think that companies that are worth working for are the ones still doing face to face interviews for even their entry level spots.
I hate these online apps! However, I did get my last full-time job through one.
I think you are right on with this one.
Good article, Donald :)
I agree with both. You can apply at midnight in your jammies, which is great, but it's hard to show how personable/professional-looking/etc. you are via an online form. Nice job!