Online applications

It is easy to fall into the trap of treating online applications less seriously than written applications. You should always write a short cover letter, rather than just simply emailing your resume.

The following tips will help you lodge an effective online application:

• ensure that you read the application instructions and make sure you follow them correctly
• your application may be screened by software, so make sure it is targeted and you word carefully the position for which you are applying.  You may like to use the job title as the ‘subject' of your message. Include your name and the version in which you saved your attached resume
• note that the employer may have a different system and if you are unable to find out what format to send your resume in, use rich-text-file format (.rft)
• always use an appropriate email address
• before sending your application you may like to email it to a friend to see how it looks on another computer.

The Department of Education, Science and Training have provided a useful worksheet to assist with the onlline job application process: DEST Worksheet 9 - InternetTechniques (*PDF 195 k).

*This file is in Portable Document Format (PDF) which requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Acrobat Reader may be obtained from Adobe. Users who are unable to access information in PDF should contact Katrina Vagg, telephone +61 4531 1823 to obtain this information in an alternative format.