Applications: apply online or by email? By what method should candidates apply for your jobs? Should they apply by email or should you have them use some kind of online application system. Are there issues with one or the other? We look at both methods and their advantages and disadvantages.

Online Application Management Systems:-

Most job boards allow job seekers to apply for jobs via online application processes. In some cases candidate must complete an online application form to apply for a job, but this is rare on job boards and is used mainly by employers on their own careers sites. 

The most common job board process is where candidates use the job board's own system to "apply online." That is, candidates enter their details, attach a CV, answer some screening questions and send their application. Usually, the job boards will provide the employer with an online account which will allow you to review, rate and respond to all your applicants.

Apply online: the advantages

It's handy. It automates the application process from the start. By using "apply online" you can keep all your applicants in one place and manage them from there. As your email contact details are usually hidden, you also don't have to worry about your email address being picked up by spam bots.

Apply online: the disadvantages

"Apply online" systems make it so very easy to apply for a job that many irrelevant people may apply for yours. Screening and filtering questions can reduce the number of irrelevant candidates, but applicant overload is still a problem. 

More important, however, is that there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that more senior candidates are averse to applying for jobs via "apply online" systems. The reasons for this are uncertain, but it might be that such candidates are anxious abut the security of online application processes. It might also be that only allowing senior candidates send a speculative CV via a website, without the opportunity to discuss the role, is off-putting.

Email applications

This is the straightforward approach taken by many employers. In the job ad, candidates are asked to send their application to the company's email address. All applications are, therefore, delivered straight to your inbox and, as a consequence, management and tracking of everything is, for good or ill, in your hands.

Apply by email: the advantages

The application process is clear and candidates also feel like they are making a "real" application rather than an anonymous online application. What you may find is that more effort goes into the application, that covering letters are specific and CVs are written for your job. In email applications, candidate standards seem to be a little higher.

Apply by email: the disadvantages

Too many applicants will probably be your biggest headache. You will have to go through each application and respond to it. It's a lot of work. And with so many candidates sitting in your inbox, managing them can be a problem. You have to have a clear system to process your candidates. 

And there is the spam problem. If your email address is put online, it may well get into the hands of email spammers. However, an easy solution to this is to set up a specific jobs@yourcompany.com email address for candidates. That way, your personal email doesn't get bombarded with junk but candidates still have the email option.

So which is better for you? Apply online or apply by email?

It really does depend. We at whatjobsite think that for lower level roles online application is probably a better option. The functionality provided by job boards might just outweigh the negatives. However, as you begin to move up the career ladder it does seem that making "apply online" your only application method is a risk. The more senior the job, the more direct contact channels you should provide.

Think about it like this: if you are advertising for a receptionist, which is a job with highly-transferable skills, and for which many people may be suitable, use the "apply online" method. If you are looking for a board-level Sales and Marketing Director, any applicant worth their salt will probably need to find out more about the job. In this case, not only will you give an email address you'll probably have to provide a telephone number as well.

One final note: in this article we did not look at postal applications. The reason for this is that we believe that it is an increasingly out-of-date process that seems, nowadays at least, to be largely the preserve of the public sector.

Article updated: January 2008

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