Digital Job Applications

Digital Job ApplicationsLike many of my clients, you may have found yourself frustratedstaring down the barrel of a digital job application verbundentrying to figure out how youre going to navigate a companys ATS software well enough to get your resume uploaded without taking hours to do it. I advise my clients not to fret over digital applications as they are just one piece of the job exploration puzzle. The following information will fill you in on ATS, why employers use it, and how to more successfully manage its use during your career hunt.The ATS TrendMany employers and recruiting companies have turned to applicant tracking systems to recruit and manage employees. While viewed by businesses and human resource specialists as a great way to centralize a companys recruitment efforts, these systems often lead to frustration among quality candidates applying for jobs.Why Companies Use ATSThere are several benefits of ATS software for companies. elend only does such software collect a nd mine data, it also gives them the ability to fully automate their employee recruitment. Using an ATS, companies may offer opportunities to internal employees before seeking external candidates to fill vacant positions. Some systems even provide off-site encrypted resume and data storage to meet state or federal regulations, providing extra protection for the personal information you provide when applying for a job. In addition, depending on what a company needs, the software may be an affordable means for managing its human capital (what the HR sector calls employees and potential employees).An Employer PerspectiveA study by Capterra, a business software provider, demonstrated that 75 percent of recruiters and talent managers use some form of recruiting or applicant-tracking software for both their internal and external staffing needs. Of those, 94 percent said software has improved their hiring process. The study went on to show that staffing firms utilize such software even mor e than direct employers.The Employee PerspectiveWhile employers may view the digital application as an ideal way to streamline the hiring process, it is often a completely different experience for potential employees. According to a study by recruitment technology company Jibe, 80 percent of job candidates described the online application process as stressful. Three of five job seekers surveyed said digital applications were more difficult to complete than other common online forms such as mortgages and student loans. Of survey respondents, nearly 80 percent said digital job searches were also more time consuming and stressful due to a variety of issues includingTech hurdlesThe inability to upload a resumeThe inability to track their application statusApplications that were not mobile friendlyThe Stress of ATSIn addition to being time consuming and stressful for applicants, 60 percent of respondents in the Jibe study were unable to complete their applications. An online survey by Ca reerBuilder reported 60 percent of applicants have quit in the middle of filling out an online application due to its length or complexity. geschftlicher umgang News Daily published an online article in which Laura Kerekeschief knowledge officer of ThinkHR, a human resource solutions providersaid the cardinal sin of modern recruiting is making the process too slow or difficult for candidates. She encouraged employers to make the process of applying as simple and engaging as possible.ATS RejectionOne of the other problems with ATS is that the systems often reject qualified candidates, something a human being wouldnt do simply because the resume was formatted with dates before employers. An article in Forbes reports that studies show up to 75 percent of qualified applicants are rejected by ATS programs because their resumes cannot be read due to issues such as formatting. This keeps job seekers like you from getting your resumes read. As a result, employers often never find well-quali fied candidatesthe ones who gave up applying due to the stress, time, and difficulty of utilizing such software. It also gives the employer brand a badeanstalt name when it comes to potential employees because I know I wont send a client to apply online if its a nightmare.Tips for Digital SuccessThere are ways to improve the odds that your resume will make it through the ATS and be seen by an actual human being.-Keep your resume to a simple format such as a .doc or .txt. These are easily read by most ATSs, which often mistake .pdfs for large photos and throw them out.-Avoid templates, which often have invisible formatting issues that may cause an ATS to reject it.-List former employers first, followed by the dates you worked there, and upload a copy of your resume instead of typing it into the program.-Just as search engine optimization uses keywords to get sites found, ATS programs use keywords to search for target candidates, so be sure to utilize keywords wisely in your resume an d application.The Bottom LineFilling out job applications online when youre looking for a new career is just one tool in your job search belt, but I advise you not to rely on it exclusively. Online applications are a numbers gamewith only the best resumes receiving less than a 7% positive response rate. This means you would need to apply to 100 online positions to hear back from 7 employers. Although this tech does play a role in your job search, dont worry if an application is too difficult to fill out. If you start to get frustrated, or if its taking too long, just move on. You can always contact the company through its website or simply call to ask if you can email your resume.

How to Celebrate Halloween at the Office And Still Get Stuff Done

How to Celebrate Halloween at the Office And Still Get Stuff Done Break out all the spooky things, because October 31st is just around the corner Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year, which means corporate offices and startups alike will be celebrating the fall holiday at the workplace.Is there a right way to go about doing this spooky celebration? Or should you dive right into setting up an elaborate, in-office haunted house for the whole team?Weve got your answer. Here are a few things each and every kind of workplace can do to get into the Halloween spirit1. tischset out candy and snack bowls.Bite-sized treats are always a good idea. Set out candy and snack bowls in the company break room containing individually wrapped candies and snacks, and encourage coworkers to keep some eats on-hand at their desks, too.Not every Halloween goodie needs to be made out of chocolate, either. You can bring in organic candy corn, popcorn balls, and veggie chips shaped like ghosts and bats. Al so, anything pumpkin spice-flavored is bound to get gobbled up by your team. Just saying.2. Get everyone to participate in a costume contestIf youve been given the all-clear to hold a costume contest, encourage your fellow coworkers to dress up and join the fun.Need a pro-tip to keep costumes from getting too controversial or inappropriate at the workplace? Set an all-ages friendly theme for the contest. From dressing up as your favorite Disney character to the Harry Potter house youd be sorted in at Hogwarts, you can easily find a theme that allows everyone to get creative (without being crass).3. Decorate your desks.Bring a little bit of the crisp fall weather from the outdoors inside Give your desk a Halloween-dcor inspired spin. Fairygodboss has rounded up some of the best items that you can decorate your desk with during autumn, including colorful pencil holders, themed mouse pads, and tiny festive figurines.4. Host a potluck lunch.No, this doesnt mean bringing in mora candy. H ost a potluck lunch for the team featuring Halloween-themed eats for everyone. From trail mix to deviled spider eggs to boo-scotti (its just as cute as it sounds), encourage everyone to bring in a themed dish for the holiday.Be sure to talk your ideas over with your boss first.Before you begin planning a crazy costume contest, its a good idea to run your thoughts past your boss or HR department. They may already have plans in motion for celebrating in the office. There might also be a company policy that determines whether you can actually go through with behauptung ideas or not. Make sure that any of the ideas you present are well thought out, with an understanding of what the pros and cons for each plan may be, and if these plans present any budgetary concerns.Now, go have a happy Halloween--Deborah Sweeney is the CEO of MyCorporation.com which provides online legal filing services for entrepreneurs and businesses, startup bundles that include corporation and LLC formation, regist ered agent services, DBAs, and trademark and copyright filing services. You can find MyCorporation on Twitter at MyCorporation and Deborah at deborahsweeney.

Top Resume Writing Tips for Graduate School Admissions Guide!

Top Resume Writing Tips for Graduate School Admissions Guide Getting the Best Resume Writing Tips for Graduate School Admissions Be certain to have a peer or expert editor check your work to be certain there are no glaring errors or significant room for improvement. The more information youll be able to present to admissions committees to monitor your readiness for graduate-level work will increase your value for a candidate. You need to produce choices where information is simple to find, aesthetically pleasing and leaves the reader knowing precisely what you want them to know. Like many companies, grad programs get a lot of applications, so they desire a fast and very clear approach to observe why youd be a great fit for their program. Graduate admissions faculty members will discover that its much easier to scan. Writing the personal statement isnt a fulling career. Awards and accomplishments are rather important, and thus dont neglect to highlight them as well. Findin g the Best Resume Writing Tips for Graduate School Admissions Great writing skills are always valued so that your language has to be on point. The procedure will enhance your probability of gaining admission in your program and help you better your resume writing skills. You have an extremely excellent prospect of being selected. Finding a recommendation from a well-known professor can boost your odds of getting accepted. The One Thing to Do for Resume Writing Tips for Graduate School Admissions Graduate school resume differs from a professional resume because it doesnt adhere to the normal structure. Its fast and simple to use. The best programs ask you to have experience in your area. For instance, a graduate program in architecture may bedrngnis truly care if youre licensed lifeguard but might care very much if youre CAD certified. The Argument About Resume Writing Tips for Graduate School Admissions Some graduate schools might request your complete work experience, whi le some could recommend that you concentrate on the things closely about the program. Also, compare your resume to the writing instructions (should you have any) to be sure you included everything which is required. You should do more than just list your prior work experience. In truth, it might not even be noticed buried among items like played on the tennis group, enjoy theater, etc.. Along with any research or teaching work youve already completed or are working on, its advisable to go over directions you want to take with your research and instruction once youre admitted to graduate school. Consider the time spent outside of work or school. Submit the same resume for each job. For instance, the very best MBA programs do not admit applicants who dont have many years of work experience.