Job Application.. Don't like the layout

I'm applying for a job and it's required that I submit a 'canned' application and question set on the companies site.

This thing is awful, I don't even have an opportunity to write a real cover letter. There is a 6 part question section, but the answers are limited to 500 characters.. Here's one of the questions:

1. Please list skills, experiences, and/or certifications you possess related to this position.

... I have lots of viable experience, skills, and a couple of certs. I can't even come close to simply listing all of it, let alone answering in any kind of logical paragraph form..

BAH!

So, I think i've found the correct contact, and I'm thinking of sending an email with a link to my current resume etc that I've got stashed online. Would it be ok to send a link to it? I'd rather not attach the whole thing, that could be annoying to the poor guy who gets it in his mailbox, but I really want a shot at this job, and the application format is bugging me..

PS:

To anyone who is doing hiring, please note that this is really frustrating to people trying to apply.

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Comments

Hyper-Me

Its worth a shot.

Those cookie cutter forms are really annoying.

ColbyG

If they ask for an application, that's what they want. I've always had to do applications, even when I'm already working for the company as a contractor and coming on perm. Applications suck, but not doing it might cost you an interview, or the position itself.

MentholMoose

Nobody wants to (let alone can) read every applicant's life story, so they force you to be concise. Just fill it out to the best of your ability and include the key points.

msteinhilber

I've been in hiring situations before where I had a pretty cut and dry mold that the best candidates should fit - think more step by step process based tasks that required minimal troubleshooting and thinking skills but more following directions/flowchart ability. Not sure if that's the type of role this is for, but in the past I used to post an application with brief questionnaire for the job listing. When I was hiring those types of positions, it wasn't the type of position I really could devote much time to scanning through resumes and cover letters for key criteria since in my case they were high churn rate positions.

Other positions where I was seeking people with strong outside sales skills in a technical role on the other hand had a lower churn rate (if I did my part of hiring competent salespeople correctly) and ultimately required and were worth investing more time into going over resumes and cover letters to give them a chance to sell themselves their own way - without my guidance.

Just a thought... perhaps they have something similar going on.

networker050184

ColbyG wrote: »

If they ask for an application, that's what they want. I've always had to do applications, even when I'm already working for the company as a contractor and coming on perm. Applications suck, but not doing it might cost you an interview, or the position itself.

+1

Those applications are usually needed fro some HR purpose and without one you won't be considered. You can send in a resume also, but I'd ensure to do your best on the application because you never know who will end up reading it.

Nuwin

OoteR wrote: »

... I have lots of viable experience, skills, and a couple of certs. I can't even come close to simply listing all of it, let alone answering in any kind of logical paragraph form..

Don't worry about listing everything. Highlight the ones they are looking for in the job post plus maybe a few extra that would seem to generate higher preference/interest.

They probably know you can't list everything. Applications seem like an HR formality. I'm not sure how much they even read them.

veritas_libertas

MentholMoose wrote: »

Nobody wants to (let alone can) read every applicant's life story, so they force you to be concise. Just fill it out to the best of your ability and include the key points.

Agreed, when I came on permanent my present job made me fill out 1/2 inch of paperwork. They already knew and still made me fill out all of that, and some of it was very redundant. It's just an HR thing.