Applying for Jobs On-Line
If you are reading this article from simplylawjobs.com – the chances are you have applied for a job via the internet. The figures are quite staggering - With over 12 million people a year in the UK using the Internet to look for work.
A recent Newspoll showed that when asked "If you could use only one way to find a job?" 35.4% of all job seekers nominated the Internet. – this was the highest of all the options. It is quick and easy. However, with the increased ease of applying comes the increased number of applicants to each and every job posted online. Using sites like simplylawjobs.com – gives you the ability to search 1,000's of vacancies in one place.
As a job-board we see 100s of job applications a day go through the site, People are applying for jobs that range from senior partners in magic circle firms to trainee legal clerks, legal executives and legal secretaries. We have some ‘pointers’ for you that will help your applications.
1.Make the most of the functions available on the sites you are using:
A) Jobs-by-email service offered (this is fairly standard across most sites) – but this will help you know about jobs as they are being advertised. You will only benefit from this if you register.
B) When you register you can view jobs and add them to a wish-list, so you can go back later and look into making applications when you have more time.
C) When registered and you apply for jobs it will automatically complete your details on the application so you wont have to type this in again – this will save you time.
D) Posting/registering your CV on simplylawjobs.com can help you find the right job, quicker and easier. This is a completely confidential service. You could “Get headhunted " - register your cv and let the specialist recruiters come direct to you with suitable career opportunities. THIS is a way to - Uncover the active and hidden job market - many roles are concluded even before the adverts are written and the cv responses are dealt with – on the basis that specialist recruiters daily search databases for suitable candidates- don’t miss out, post your CV. To do this on simplylawjobs.com (once you have registered_ - log into your account and then go to the 'Post your CV' tab. Make sure that you have completed your details correctly - such as area of law, location and profile as this gives the recruiter a summary of you. If you don't complete these details, the chances are - you will be overlooked. If they are interested the recruiter will email you and then, at your discretion you can allow them to view your complete CV. The process gives you complete anonymity until YOU chose to make allow contact/access. Go on.... what are you waiting for!?
2. Don’t apply for multiple jobs at the same recruitment agency – this can annoy the agency. Just because it is quick to apply online doesn’t mean you would just make application after application without making a note of who the agency is. Eg: you see 5 roles that meet with what u r looking for. 3 of them are with agency X – we would recommend that you make 1 application and within the covering note say that you are applying for that role but you are also interested in job ref Z & job ref Y that is also with their agency.
3. Remember, online ads will get thousands of responses, so it is crucial that you must do exactly what it says in the ad. If the employer is asking for your CV by email, don't send another copy through the post just to be sure. This will be seen as wimpish - or worse, you will appear a luddite who does not trust the modern IT way of doing business.
4. Don't apply for a job you're not qualified for. Stick to the jobs you would apply for without the convenience of the Net. If it's not worth a stamp, and envelope and a CV printed on nice paper, it's not worth hitting "Apply Now" button.
5. Put as much into your online CV as you would a hard copy application, if not more. Just because it's easier to respond doesn't mean recruiters/hiring managers have become more lax in their standards. If anything, they're standards have become more stringent, for the flood of applicants. Use the job description as a blueprint for your application, emphasizing the skills you possess that will be of greatest value to the company you're applying for. Spell and grammar check every piece of correspondence.
6. Follow-up as you would if you had you sent a hard copy application. It looks good, and shows that you are serious about the position and not just blindly angling for a bite. Remember, the old rules of the job search still apply.
7. We do notice that people seem to be using ‘cute’ but rather unprofessional email addresses on their application – so, an email received from sexyswinger@yahoo or earfluff@btinternet may not be the best approach!
You need to give a professional impression from the first time you contact a prospective employer or legal recruitment agency. The funny private email address needs to be thought about. What does it say about you? You will be better setting up something more suitable for a short period of time (there are loads of net based internet services that a free to sign up to).
8. Email addresses are not the only way that a prospect employee can fall foul of the internet. Have you ever googled an employer before an interview? All careers advice now strongly recommends that you use the internet to research any prospective employer. It’s sound advice, the more you know about a company the more you can tailor your answers. The more you can research a firm the more clued in you will appear.
The issue now is that companies are beginning to google candidates to gain information about them! - Chair of your University Law Society,
a respected charity volunteer, a knowledgeable columnist on your student newspaper - for you it may be advantageous. The real problem is that people forget that networking and community sites like myspace and online blogs are easily searchable. Those photo’s from a stag weekend in Prague or the slightly indiscrete blog about the Christmas party. Well these things are not difficult to find. It may not be strictly legal but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
The web is not a closed circle of friends. You – as Job hunters need to be very wary of what you post on the i/net. The rule of thumb should be if you wouldn’t tell a future employer than don’t post it on the net!
HAPPY Job Hunting from Simplylawjobs.com
Regional top 200 firm require a solicitor to join their Legal 500 rated department in Bristol. The personal injury team handles an extremely varied caseload ranging from exceptionally specialist cases to less complex issues. Containing some of the highest regarded specialists in the country and encouraging a friendly knowledge-sharing environment, the team boasts an impressive client list including large insurers and commercial undertakings.