Online application systems are maddening

[Mark2010]

It seems to be a trend of more and more companies to have applicants for positions submit their materials through an automated online system, rather than the more traditional email or even snail mail format. Surely, this was dreamed up at a human resources/IT guru convention in Hawaii or someplace, rather than people who have actually ever set foot in a newsroom.

It seems the larger the company, the more complex these systems are.

I've gone through a number of these and it seems far too often my material disappears into some cyber black hole and never reaches the person actually making the decisions. Just as frustrating is the fact that it seems a large number of these HR people don't seem to have the slightest clues about newspapers, or most any information platform (broadcast, digital, etc.), so we don't even speak the same language. (I actually had an HR person ask me to explain what "paginating" was..... and this was for a newspaper design/pagination position!)

So, anyone else find frustration in this? And have you found a better method? So many of these positions don't even list a contact name. I suppose I could research a department head's name and email them directly, although I'm trying to be respectful of their hiring protocol.

Has anyone ever gotten hired for a position that they applied for using one of these automated systems?

 

[Batman]

It's not just newspapers. I've been sending out resumes for months through online ads and have barely gotten so much as a nibble.
One SID job I applied for online -- the only way the school accepts them, according to its website -- has been "under review" for 2 1/2 months. The start date listed on the ad was July 1, a good six weeks before I submitted my application. Sent an e-mail to the main SID that's there now asking what's up, but never heard anything back.
I applied for two state jobs and got confirmation e-mails, but nothing since. One of those applications went out in March.
The only real interview I went on stemmed from an application I sent in via snail mail. I always prefer that method, if for no other reason than you know somebody, somewhere, will get the envelope and at least glance at it.

Other companies have job listings on places like careerbuilder.comand monster.com, but never list a contact name. Even if you go to their website, there's not much you can do except click and hope and pray that everything lines up right.
It's like shouting into windy darkness. For all its conveniences, modern technology is a huge pain in the ass in a lot of ways.

 

[Armchair_QB]

It's not just newspapers. I've been sending out resumes for months through online ads and have barely gotten so much as a nibble.
One SID job I applied for online -- the only way the school accepts them, according to its website -- has been "under review" for 2 1/2 months. The start date listed on the ad was July 1, a good six weeks before I submitted my application. Sent an e-mail to the main SID that's there now asking what's up, but never heard anything back.
I applied for two state jobs and got confirmation e-mails, but nothing since. One of those applications went out in March.
The only real interview I went on stemmed from an application I sent in via snail mail. I always prefer that method, if for no other reason than you know somebody, somewhere, will get the envelope and at least glance at it.

Other companies have job listings on places like careerbuilder.comand monster.com, but never list a contact name. Even if you go to their website, there's not much you can do except click and hope and pray that everything lines up right.
It's like shouting into windy darkness. For all its conveniences, modern technology is a huge pain in the ass in a lot of ways.

That's how every Human Resources department wants it.

The computer looks for key phrases or words in every application and only forwards the ones that meet the criteria. That way the HR guy doesn't have to be bothered with silly inconveniences like actually talking to applicants or making a decision and can spend his day doing more productive things like watching porn on his computer.

 

[Batman]

It's not just newspapers. I've been sending out resumes for months through online ads and have barely gotten so much as a nibble.
One SID job I applied for online -- the only way the school accepts them, according to its website -- has been "under review" for 2 1/2 months. The start date listed on the ad was July 1, a good six weeks before I submitted my application. Sent an e-mail to the main SID that's there now asking what's up, but never heard anything back.
I applied for two state jobs and got confirmation e-mails, but nothing since. One of those applications went out in March.
The only real interview I went on stemmed from an application I sent in via snail mail. I always prefer that method, if for no other reason than you know somebody, somewhere, will get the envelope and at least glance at it.

Other companies have job listings on places like careerbuilder.comand monster.com, but never list a contact name. Even if you go to their website, there's not much you can do except click and hope and pray that everything lines up right.
It's like shouting into windy darkness. For all its conveniences, modern technology is a huge pain in the ass in a lot of ways.

That's how every Human Resources department wants it.

The computer looks for key phrases or words in every application and only forwards the ones that meet the criteria. That way the HR guy doesn't have to be bothered with silly inconveniences like actually talking to applicants or making a decision and can spend his day doing more productive things like watching porn on his computer.

It'd at least be nice if, when your resume is kicked out, the same program sent a form e-mail so at least you don't have to wonder about it. I do their stupid applicant tricks, I at least want a treat to juggle on my nose and catch when it's over.

 

[Riptide]

What are the good phrases and bad phrases for this crowd?

 

[HejiraHenry]

I've done two of these in the past for state jobs, in different states, and found the process rather straightforward.

I would complain if I could, since I didn't get a nibble. But I'm not prepared to blame the process itself.

 

[imjustagirl]

LinkedIn, people. It's not that hard.

 

[Riptide]

When I upload the resume and then still have to fill out a lengthy (and repetitive) online application, that's when I pull the plug on a marginal job.

 

[Double J]

I actually ran into a problem the other day with an online application. It wouldn't allow me to attach any documentation, so I used one of the spaces on the online form to point this out. Yesterday I got an email from an HR person inviting me to submit everything directly to her.

The funny thing is, it's the only response I've gotten from any job I've applied for in the last two months.

 

[Captain Obvious]

LinkedIn, people. It's not that hard.

You mean uploading an application to a system where you don't know who receives it is a shot in the dark?

 

[YankeeFan]

LinkedIn, people. It's not that hard.

You mean uploading an application to a system where you don't know who receives it is a shot in the dark?

I'm guessing she means that you can find out who the actual hiring manager is by looking at LinkedIn. Then, you can see if anyone you know knows him/her.

An unsolicited resume sent to the hiring manager is going in the garbage. But, no matter what they say, if someone trusted by the hiring manager passes along your resume to the hiring manager, you can get in the mix for the job.

It will still have to go through HR, but the hiring manager can get it there, and unless there is something to disqualify you, they can also fight for you if you are who they want to hire.

 

[Captain Obvious]

There is really no excuse for those looking newspaper jobs to not contact an editor via email. For other jobs, it takes a bit of research. It may take 20 minutes or more out of your day, but if you have someone who can at least say "take a look" to an HR person, it makes a difference.

 

[imjustagirl]

LinkedIn, people. It's not that hard.

You mean uploading an application to a system where you don't know who receives it is a shot in the dark?

I'm guessing she means that you can find out who the actual hiring manager is by looking at LinkedIn. Then, you can see if anyone you know knows him/her.

An unsolicited resume sent to the hiring manager is going in the garbage. But, no matter what they say, if someone trusted by the hiring manager passes along your resume to the hiring manager, you can get in the mix for the job.

It will still have to go through HR, but the hiring manager can get it there, and unless there is something to disqualify you, they can also fight for you if you are who they want to hire.

Bingo. I applied for my current job by reaching out to a woman at the job I was currently at (and had been told I would no longer have) who had contact with the new company. She got me a name for who to contact. I sent my resume to that person and got a phone call two days later.

My coworker applied for the same job and I mentioned his name after my interview and they'd never even seen it in the mass email account. He got the other position once they took a look at his resume.

If you blind send to a mass email account with no other plan, then you're not really trying very hard.

 

[podunk press]

I just landed a job outside the industry.

I applied for approximately 50 jobs in the last three years. Got two sit-down interviews and one phone interview with a decline for a formal interview.

My experience: Folks outside the industry don't want journalists. But they are kind of intrigued if you have web and social media skills. Prove you can do that stuff.

 

[steveu]

If it does not say "no phone calls or e-mails", I have sent a resume and cover attachment to the sports editor, with the explanation that I'd like to have something readable in his or her hands.

May not get you an interview, but if it doesn't specifically say "do not send resumes to the editor" then I'll use the online system and an e-mail to the SE.

 

[podunk press]

What really helps is if you know someone -- anyone -- in the organization that can put in a good word on your behalf during the application process. I'm pretty sure I got my last gig, in part, because there was an administrator who lobbied for me.

 

[Mark2010]

I guess I'm old school. I'd rather write or talk to a real human being, and preferably someone who knows something about the business and job I am applying for.

I just drove five hours round-trip today for a face-to-face interview. They would have been happy to do a phoner. But face to face was soooooo much better. The editor is an old-school (in his 60s now) guy who started when he was 19 years old and has seen it all. We were on the same wavelength and had a wonderful conversation about a whole host of things pertaining the newspaper business. I can't have those sort of conversations with most HR people.

But, hey, if companies insist on the automated process, I'll do it that way, even if it makes me pull my hair out sometime.

 

[YankeeFan]

I guess I'm old school. I'd rather write or talk to a real human being, and preferably someone who knows something about the business and job I am applying for.

I just drove five hours round-trip today for a face-to-face interview. They would have been happy to do a phoner. But face to face was soooooo much better. The editor is an old-school (in his 60s now) guy who started when he was 19 years old and has seen it all. We were on the same wavelength and had a wonderful conversation about a whole host of things pertaining the newspaper business.

Much easier to feel out if the person is also a racist, misogynist, anti-gay, bigot in person.

 

[Mark2010]

And to know if you fit in there.

 

[NQLBLQ]

It's not just newspapers. I've been sending out resumes for months through online ads and have barely gotten so much as a nibble.
One SID job I applied for online -- the only way the school accepts them, according to its website -- has been "under review" for 2 1/2 months. The start date listed on the ad was July 1, a good six weeks before I submitted my application. Sent an e-mail to the main SID that's there now asking what's up, but never heard anything back.
I applied for two state jobs and got confirmation e-mails, but nothing since. One of those applications went out in March.
The only real interview I went on stemmed from an application I sent in via snail mail. I always prefer that method, if for no other reason than you know somebody, somewhere, will get the envelope and at least glance at it.

Other companies have job listings on places like careerbuilder.comand monster.com, but never list a contact name. Even if you go to their website, there's not much you can do except click and hope and pray that everything lines up right.
It's like shouting into windy darkness. For all its conveniences, modern technology is a huge pain in the ass in a lot of ways.

That's how every Human Resources department wants it.

The computer looks for key phrases or words in every application and only forwards the ones that meet the criteria. That way the HR guy doesn't have to be bothered with silly inconveniences like actually talking to applicants or making a decision and can spend his day doing more productive things like watching porn on his computer.

It'd at least be nice if, when your resume is kicked out, the same program sent a form e-mail so at least you don't have to wonder about it. I do their stupid applicant tricks, I at least want a treat to juggle on my nose and catch when it's over.

Actually had this happen to me recently. I applied for a job as a professor at a school in Philly. I applied and got an email saying thanks for applying. About 30 minutes later got an email saying I didn't fit the criteria of 2-5 years of "media" experience. Sadly, I DID fit the criteria (nearly a decade under my belt) I just think the system didn't see "digital journalism" as "media" experience.

Fail.