Are Paper Applications Going Extinct?

The Hard Copy Job Application Disappears as Companies Go Online

Advancements in technology have caused employers and job seekers to abandon many traditional employment tools. Few people still rely on searching through newspaper classifieds or going on the door-to-door job hunt. Before jobs were posted online, job seeking involved a lot more leg work. You had to make copies of your résumé, drive around, and pass them out at places you spotted from the road or found through a reference.

Now, in only minutes, you can post and distribute your résumé to be viewed by employers across the country. Of course, some still do it the “old fashioned” way, but paper in the hiring process seems to be going extinct.

First of all, employers find it much easier to have candidates fill out online applications. It saves time, money and tons of paper. When saved in a database, applications can also be reviewed and sorted more quickly according to certain criteria. To put it simply, Internet applications are much more convenient.

The paper application has not been completely replaced. Many companies looking to fill hourly positions will have them on hand. When dealing with full-time positions, however, the application is replaced by several other elements, including résumés, portfolios and in-depth interviews.

Though many companies offer other options for applicants, some have converted exclusively to online applications. These businesses clearly state on their Web sites that they will not accept hardcopy résumés. In some cases, they won’t even take phone calls or answer e-mails concerning the position. Though it is understandable that employers want to make the hiring process easy for themselves, some make it far too difficult for job seekers.

The key is to find a balance that works for both parties involved, which is what many companies have done. Job seekers and employers can benefit from the ease and efficiency of online applications. If candidates are unable to apply this way, other options must be made available. The paper application is not yet extinct, but it does seem to be slowly slipping into the dark ages of employment.