There are a few ways to search for jobs online. One option is a job board such as Indeed.com. Job boards collect open positions from various employers and industries, making boards a convenient option for searching for jobs. Job boards will allow you to filter your search by several criteria, including salary, location, and more. You can often upload and store your resume on a job board, making it a bit of a one stop shop. (Still, be sure to customize your cover letter to each job you apply to, or you run the risk of having your application discarded.) 

Another way to search and apply for jobs is to use a specific company’s website. This option is best if you know for certain that you want to work for that company, or if you have been directed to apply through the website. While each website will vary, you should be able to type in the name of the company in your web browser’s search bar or use their URL, (homedepot.com in the example photos below), and find a page called “Careers.”  

Not all company websites will say “careers,” so look for keywords like “jobs” or “apply” in order to find this page. It will be similar on each site even though its placement may also be different.  

You may need to create an account in order to apply for jobs through a company website. See this link for helpful information on how to set up an online account.  

Yet another way to search and apply for jobs is to do so through a temp agency. See this list of temp agencies in the Pittsburgh area.  

And finally, let’s kick it old school: our library locations often have a community bulletin board with flyers and advertisements from local businesses and organizations. These can be worth checking out the next time you come in.  

When you have all of your information ready, you’re ready to start the application process. Follow the instructions below, in this handout on Applying for Jobs Online, or use this free DigitalLearn online course in order to learn about every step of your journey.

Once you start, be sure to...

Watch Your Time: Some job applications will require you to finish in one sitting, and some can take 30 minutes or more to complete. If you’re using a library computer, keep track of your time and make sure your session doesn’t end before you’re finished!

Read the Instructions Carefully: Some applications will only require you to provide your contact information and answer a few questions; others will request a full resume and cover letter. Always read the application instructions carefully, and ask a librarian if you need help.

 

Navigate to the Application Page

Look for buttons at the top or bottom of the job description that say “Apply,” “Apply Now,” or “Apply on Company Website.” Every website’s buttons will look a little different.

The button may take you directly to the application, but you may have to click multiple buttons or navigate across multiple websites to reach the application form. Just remember that you haven't applied for the job until you've provided at least your name and contact information.

Sign In or Create an Account
At this point, you may be asked to sign in or create an account using your email address to proceed. If you need to create an account, look carefully for a link that says something like “Don’t have an account yet? Sign up” or “New? Create an account.”

You will have to register separately for each job website. Make sure you keep track of the login information you create.

Bonus Tip: Some websites, like Indeed.com, will allow you to sign in using an existing account, like Google, Apple, or Facebook. This can be a great option if you don’t want to keep track of a lot of accounts and passwords. Just be aware of the information you’re sharing with the website when you log in.

 

Filling Out the Application

After you sign in or create your account, you’ll be taken to the application form. Here are some of the ways you’ll be entering your information into the online application form.

• Entry fields are rectangular boxes where you can enter text. Click into the box with your mouse until you see a blinking vertical line (cursor). Then, type your text into the field.
• Radio Buttons are used for multiple choice questions. They can be round or square. Round buttons usually mean that you can only choose one answer from the list; square buttons usually mean that you can choose more than one answer.
• Drop-Down Menus are rectangular boxes with an arrow button to the right. When you click on a drop-down menu, a list of items will appear below the box. Click the answer of your choice to select it. The list will disappear and your selection will be shown in the box.
• Navigation Buttons may be at the top or bottom of the screen to help you move through the application. Look for buttons that say things like Previous, Next, Save and Continue, and Submit. As you complete each section of the application, use these buttons to move forward or return to a previous section.
• Required Information is usually marked by an asterisk, and sometimes will be highlighted in red. If an entry field has an asterisk next to it, make sure you provide an answer in that field—the application may not let you move forward if you leave it blank. If there is no asterisk next to a field, providing an answer for that field may be optional.

Many applications will have a menu at the left or top of the screen to help you track your progress. Some applications will let you know how many steps there are without section titles, like “Step 1 of 6.” 

 

Application Sections

Let's take a look at some common application sections you may be asked to fill out. Shorter applications may only ask for a few of these sections, while more in-depth applications may require all of this information.

• Work Eligibility: You may be asked to verify that you are 18+ years of age and eligible to work in the United States, or to disclose if you have ever been convicted of a crime or felony.
• Veteran Status, Race/Ethnicity: You may be asked questions about your veteran status or what race and ethnicity you identify with. These questions are optional, and your answers cannot be used in a discriminatory way. You are welcome to skip these questions or answer with “Prefer not to disclose.”
• Availability, Desired Salary: Some employers may want you to specify when you are available to work (start date, day/evening/weekend shifts, days of the week), or may ask for your desired salary. If you need help estimating a salary figure, visit O*Net at www.onetonline.org and search for your profession to get average salary information for your area.
• Education: You should list any education you have completed or partially completed, including dates and earned degrees or certificates. You may also need to list the name, address, and phone number of the institutions you attended.
• Work History: The work history section will often require the name of the organizations where you have worked, the dates you were employed there, your job title, and your responsibilities in that position. Some applications will also ask for the name and contact information of your supervisor, and may ask you to disclose the reason you left that position. Accurate dates are important here, as some employers will do a background check to make sure the dates match up.  

Important Tip: Even if you are attaching a full resume, you should still fill out the Education and Work Experience sections as completely as possible. It's the best way to make sure the employer will see all of your skills and experience when they are sifting through applications. Ask a librarian to teach you how to copy and paste from your resume into the application fields to complete this quickly.

 

Uploading Documents to an Application

Resume and Cover Letter: Attaching a resume and cover letter to your application can set you apart from other candidates, and some applications require them. To really catch the employer's attention, you can edit your cover letter to include specific information about the job you are applying for. See the Resume and Cover Letter page of this Guide for more information on crafting your Resume and Cover Letter.

You may be asked to attach—or “upload”—a resume and cover letter. Uploading means that you are sending a copy of your documents from your computer to the online application so that employers can read them later. 

Save your Documents Locally: First, make sure that your documents are either saved to the computer you are using or saved to a USB drive that you can plug into the computer. Save your documents in a folder that is easy to find, like Documents or Desktop.

If your documents are in your email or in cloud storage: log into your email or cloud storage, find the documents you need, and click on the down arrow icon or “download” button for each document to save them to the computer you are using. You can find them in the computer’s Downloads folder.

Upload to the Application: Find the section of your application that asks for resumes, cover letters, or documents. Look for a button that says “Click to select a file,” “Upload your resume,” or “Browse...” This will lead you to a window where you can choose the file you want to attach. Select the file location, then the file, and then click “Open.” The application should show if your upload was successful. Repeat this for each file you want to attach.

 

Reviewing and Submitting an Application

When you have completed all the sections of your application, you may be given a chance to review your answers for any mistakes or omissions. Look over your answers carefully and if you see a mistake, choose the “edit” button provided or navigate back to that section to correct it.

When you have reviewed all of your information, click “Submit” to officially submit your application. Wait for a confirmation screen to make sure your submission was successful, and write down or print out any confirmation numbers for future reference.