Resume AND Job Application?

[The Fatman]

So, I was laid off last month after some good old fashioned "Corporate Restructuring". I've been sending out resumes via the usual channels, and I got my first callback yesterday.

Now, I will be honest, from the phone interview, I had already decided to pass on the job, it pays less than my old job AND has different hours so I would have to get daycare for a newborn and a 4 year old. NOT cheap.

However, long story short, after the phone interview they sent me an actual job application form to fill out, scan, and e-mail back to them. I was really caught off guard by this, as I haven't been asked to fill one of these out since college (not to mention the inconvenience of it. What if I don't HAVE a scanner?). It strikes me as incredibly unprofessional. Why would/SHOULD I fill out a job application when you already have all the information on my resume? If you need more information, ask me at the interview or do a background check. Recent job seekers/managers... is this something I should expect to see more of going forward?

 

[RoJoHen]

Oh yes. Every job I have applied for in the last several years has required me to fill out an application, even if they already had my resume. They need to keep your application on file, and I think it just helps if they have a standard form for all of their applicants to fill out.

 

[RoJoHen]

Oh yes. Every job I have applied for in the last several years has required me to fill out an application, even if they already had my resume. They need to keep your application on file, and I think it just helps if they have a standard form for all of their applicants to fill out.

 

[The Fatman]

Oh yes. Every job I have applied for in the last several years has required me to fill out an application, even if they already had my resume. They need to keep your application on file, and I think it just helps if they have a standard form for all of their applicants to fill out.

... I guess I can't argue with standardization.

 

[Misfit Toy]

There is probably legalese on the app itself that their HR office is required to have on file for each employee.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

There is probably legalese on the app itself that their HR office is required to have on file for each employee.

That, and you sign an application, usually below a statement that the info you've provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge and so on.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I've been applying for tons of jobs lately, and pretty much all of them required them a standardized application as well as a resume, though usually I sent them in at the same time, not one before the other. I can only think of one job recently that only asked for a resume and cover letter, and they were more of a small informal company.

 

[Deckerd]

In the UK the application forms aren't standard, they are all produced by whatever company is recruiting to suit their own requirements. Nobody gets an interview without sending in an application form. The requirement for CV's varies. Some want them, some don't.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

The company I work for is a professional environment and we require applications. It's just a standard practice nowadays. Don't read too much into it.

 

[Holdfast]

What used to bug me when I was applying for jobs was when they wanted several copies of a CV/resume. I distinctly remember one about five years ago that wanted SIX (6!) copies. I would always think "sod you, you're the one with the massive photocopier and dozens of secretaries doing nothing, not me". I mean, I still used our office copier to do it, but it just struck me as totally topsy-turvy. If you want me to do a professional job, why on Earth are you making me do this kind of basic admin work?

The whole print-off, fill-in, scan-back time-wasting nonsense is another example of how twisted the process is. At least this is starting to fade a bit these days. But this kind of inefficient crap is an indicator of precisely why I work for myself now. At least when I do admin now, I KNOW there's a reason for doing it that's directly beneficial to my interests, rather than doing it for an organisation's benefit.

Anyway, enough of that. Good luck to the OP for the job hunt!

 

[bigdaddy]

It's a little weird they didn't have the application on their website for you to print out and then send in with your resume, but everything else is normal.

 

[RoJoHen]

The last job I applied for emailed me their application in the form of a PDF file, which they told me to "fill out" and send back before the interview. I couldn't edit the file at all, and I don't have a functioning scanner, so I couldn't just print it out and fill it out with a pen. I eventually decided not to bother.

 

[UssGlenn]

It's times like that photoshop comes in handy. When that happened to me I rendered the pdf as an image in photoshop, used the type tool to fill in the fields, flattened the image and converted it back into a pdf. problem solved.

 

[RoJoHen]

Yeah, I ended up doing that, but I got bored halfway through.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Oh yes. Every job I have applied for in the last several years has required me to fill out an application, even if they already had my resume. They need to keep your application on file, and I think it just helps if they have a standard form for all of their applicants to fill out.

Oh yes. Every job I have applied for in the last several years has required me to fill out an application, even if they already had my resume. They need to keep your application on file, and I think it just helps if they have a standard form for all of their applicants to fill out.

You can say that again

Like the others have said, it's probably some legal thing behind the redundancy.

I've been where I am for 7 years, but I remember this process from long before.

At least they should send you a .pdf app that you can type your information into and re-save. It's 2010 for ^&#$'s sake, I just did an FOID application that way, and the government is well known for being behind the times, tech-wise.

 

[RoJoHen]

You can say that again

Silly BBS timed out on me.

At least they should send you a .pdf app that you can type your information into and re-save. It's 2010 for ^&#$'s sake, I just did an FOID application that way, and the government is well known for being behind the times, tech-wise.

Shit, in a couple weeks it'll be 2011. I should be able to fill out the friggin' application on my phone and send it back in a text message.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Just get it in before the world ends in 2 years.

 

[Listener4]

It always seemed redundant to me. Possibly a screening mechanism to weed out those unwilling to follow absurd commands.

 

[od0_ital]

I've been job huntin' for months now, and yes, I've noticed that while my resume is impressive, I still have to do the application. The standardization makes sense to me, but also, there's some things they ask for on the application that I don't put on the resume I send out to prospective employers.

Stuff like SSN, DOB, beginnin' wages, and such...

 

[marillion]

God.. Try applying for multiple federal government jobs. Non of the processes are compatible with the other. One agency has a completely on-line application. Another requires on-line AND document uploads. Yet another will require you to fax information in. Some have a simple application form. others have an "essay test" where you have to go on and on about your qualifications.

Good grief!!