I've been in the job market for a while now and I am used to the system of applying for jobs. Most employers nowadays have you submit your resume online. Companies have a program that allows you to upload your information to HR. You can log in and check your status at any time.
Husband, who is now searching for a job in Target State, is not accustomed to this new system. Granted, he has not had to do the job hunt thing for over 10 years. So, it was quite a surprise that he didn't have to send his resume and cover letter via snail-mail.
The other day, when I asked him how the search was going, he said 'I don't think I like all this on-line application stuff. I have to resist the temptation to check my status. It just unleashes my inner OCD."
He's right.
It's great that people don't have to waste paper by sending resumes, CV's or cover letters. I mean, I would check to make sure that I printed on the right side of the bonded paper. I am convinced that there is someone who actually looks to see if the watermark is facing in the right directions. And, lets not get into the whole postage issue.
The downside to all this technology is that I have had to restrain myself from incessantly checking my email or status on an employer's hiring section of their website. I mean, if you send the documents electronically, the hope is that you will get a response quicker.
No, that would be too easy.
There is still the dance. Your stuff is still going to sit in some-one's inbox. Someone in HR has to determine if you meet all the requirements and you have all the buzz words in your resume. Once you make it through the HR gauntlet, then you will have some idea if you will go on to the next step. So, you end up checking constantly to see if the words "Referred to hiring department" is listed when you check your status.
Honestly, I long for the old days. At least when you submitted your information, you could just call someone. Now, that is discouraged because there is no one you can contact. Sure, I have gotten around that by contacting the department chair or Dean directly, but for the most part, you just wait.
And embrace your inner OCD.
About Me
- Seeking Solace
- I am a college professor who is fumbling through the chaos of academia, rheumatoid arthritis, working on my PhD and just being a 40 something woman. I used to be a lawyer, which made me a snarky little person. I have a wonderful Husband and a German Shepherd named Junior. They help keep me sane.
Paws to Consider
My Sister's Keeper
1 comments:
Yeah, the job market is definitely different - depending on the industry. I will say that when I first applied for job in home state, summer 2007, it was still done by paper. I mailed everything is and waited. I eventually got a rejection (in the mail) because I didn't have the right buzz words. That position was filled.
Later that summer I applied for a similar position, this time I was coached, and I landed the job. Though the state has an electronic database listing jobs, they were still accepting paper copies last I heard. It seems that I read about a move to an all electronic system recently, but I'm not sure if it is in place just yet.
I feel for your husband. Things are definitely different and it takes some getting used to! Just think, there is a generation that only knows the electronic submission. How times change!
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