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The 9 Best Tips for Submitting an Online Job Application

Statistics show that approximately 50 percent of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen candidates for job opportunities.

There are a variety of reasons recruiters and hiring managers adopt this type of technology. With an ATS in place, human resources departments can automate and store hiring documents online so HR professionals never have to worry about sifting through stacks of paperwork or hundreds of emails to find what they need.

Colin Day, the founder and chief executive officer of iCIMS, Inc., a provider of talent acquisition software for growing businesses, is in an excellent position to advise job seekers on how to maximize their online applications. Here are Day's top suggestions for getting the most visibility out of your online application:

1. Thoroughly read job descriptions. Most recruiters will tell you a big pet peeve is hearing from job seekers who apply even if they aren't qualified for the job. Take the time to understand exactly what the company expects from applicants for jobs that interest you; do not ignore the detailed description of what the job entails. "ATS technologies can filter candidates by those whose responses dovetail best with specific job descriptions. For the best response rates, make sure your content and experience match up accordingly," Day says.

2. Create an original cover letter. If the company asks for a cover letter, be sure to include one. Make sure to write one specific to your accomplishments and skills and one that addresses the job description properly. Go a step further and mention how you will use that knowledge and those skills on the job. Avoid sending out a generic, run-of-the-mill cover letter. "Despite the cover letter being digital, it's often the first thing recruiters read when viewing candidate profiles--even ahead of the resume," Day explains. "Use the cover letter as an opportunity to showcase your personality, qualifications, and desire for the job."

3. Identify key words and tailor your resume. Take your time and look over your resume. Find the key words in the job description and make sure you indicate how your accomplishments address those requirements. Be sure to customize your resume and/or cover letter slightly to each specific job.

4. Make sure your responses are on target and error free. "With paper applications, poorly written submissions can be tossed in the 'circular file,' never to be seen again," Day says. "But with digital applications, error-laden content lives on at that company, potentially hurting your chances for a relationship with the employer in the future as well." This is a scary thought, but one that should motivate you to triple-check your content for spelling, content, and grammar. Additionally, Day suggests you make sure all of your information is completely spelled out--in other words, avoid abbreviations. In many cases, abbreviations that may be understood readily by the hiring managers are not familiar to the first-line recruiters.

5. Maintain one candidate profile per company. Once you apply to a company that uses an ATS, the organization saves your personal information. While you should tailor your resume and/or cover letter for each job submission, maintain one master profile for all of your applications for that company. "Multiple profiles in one company's system can cause confusion," Day says. "By only submitting one profile per company, you can eliminate the odds of the wrong profile being disqualified by a first-line recruiter."

6. Fill out all fields within the application process. By filling out every field, you are not just giving information that could make you stand out from the competition, but also demonstrating your interest and desire for the job. Many recruiters just skip over candidates who don't complete their applications. Also, Day explains that with an ATS in place, many companies filter candidates by their responses to certain fields within the online application forms. Don't miss out on any chances to be included in the recruiters' filtering processes for the position.

7. Ensure your social profile is current. Companies are now encouraging candidates to include professional information from their social profiles, typically LinkedIn, Google+, or Facebook, within their online application process. "The ability to view your dynamic social profile(s), allows recruiters to see your current work status and determine whether timing is right to extend you an interview or even a job offer. At iCIMS, we refer to this as a 'social resume,'" Day says.

8. Clean up your public social media profile. A technology-savvy hiring company is more likely to take an active interest in your social media profile postings. Make sure you don't have public images or content that would distract, or worse yet, deter hiring managers or recruiters from wanting to hire you. Don't provide red flags for recruiters and hiring managers. "If used properly, social media can help you connect with potential employers--just make sure your online data is working for you, not against you," Day concludes.

9. Review all the information you imported before submitting. Before hitting the submit button, take a final glance at the content you have provided. Keep in mind that once you hit that button, your information is sent to the recruiter directly. First impressions are important, so make the best one possible when you apply.

Miriam Salpeter is a job search and social media consultant, career coach, author, speaker, resume writer, and owner of Keppie Careers. She is author of Social Networking for Career Success. Miriam teaches job seekers and entrepreneurs how to incorporate social media tools along with traditional strategies to empower their success.

Source: Yahoo! Maktoob

Five things you may not know about Ramadan

You may be familiar with Ramadan's basic practices, such as abstaining from food, drink and sex during the daylight hours of the holy month, but there are some facts that you may not be aware of...

1. Ramadan is the second highest spending month of the year in the Middle East:Many Muslims break their fast in restaurants and cafeterias during Ramadan, and enjoy entertainment until the early hours of the morning. Others spend the evenings, after the sunset meal Iftar, wandering around shopping malls (many of which have extended opening hours), socialising and buying gifts. By the end of the month, consumer spending will have dramatically soared to make it the second biggest month after Christmas. Companies such as telecoms providers, consumer goods brands and government agencies consequently spend up to half of their annual advertising budget during Ramadan as people in the region spend more time at home, shopping or calling friends and family.
2. Ramadan has no associated symbol: Christmas can be symbolised by a Christmas tree or Father Christmas (Santa Claus). While we think of the crescent moon and lanterns when we think of Ramadan, there is no representative symbol. Ramadan is characterised, instead, by exercising the rituals of fasting and dedication to Allah.
3. Ramadan charity: Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, makes it mandatory for all able Muslims to donate 2.5 per cent of their total annual wealth to the less fortunate. Helping the needy, deprived and poor is one of the most crucial aspects of Ramadan, so many Muslims prefer to practice zakat in this month, thereby also reaping the greatest spiritual reward from their zakat. Muslims mark the end of Ramadan with a three-day celebration, Eid Al Fitr. During these three days, it is mandatory for fasting Muslims to participate in Zakat Al Fitr, which is the practice of donating food or money to the less privileged - those who cannot afford to indulge in the Eid Al Fitr meal.
4. Ramadan exemptions: While fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, not everyone is required to fast. The sick, the elderly, those who are travelling, pregnant and menstruating women are exempt from fasting. They are, however, required to make up missed fasts at a later date.
5. Ramadan concessions: Should an individual accidentally vomit whilst fasting, their fast is not broken and they do not have to make up for it after the month of Ramadan. However, if the person deliberately vomits for whatever reason, he or she will have to make up for it, as they have broken the fast. Also, if a person who is fasting forgets themselves and samples the iftar meal while cooking it, that's also acceptable; as long as it was not done on purpose.

Source: Yahoo! Maktoob

The legend of the Ramadan cannon

Across the Arab world during Ramadan, the loud boom of a cannon sounds the end of the day’s fast and the beginning of Iftar. This age-old tradition is marked in numerous Muslim countries, from the UAE to Egypt, in an effort to keep history alive. 

There are many versions of how the tradition of the cannon came to be. Legend has it that in 859 (Hijra) or 1455 (Gregorian), the ruler of the time, Khoush Qadam, was gifted a German-made cannon. He wanted to test it one evening and triggered it at sunset on the first day of Ramadan, apparently by accident.

When the people heard the sound they thought that it was a sign that they should end their fast, much to their delight. However, when the cannon was not sounded over the next few days, they urged the sultan to continue the practice. It was his wife, Hajja Fatma, who convinced Khoush Qadam to fire the cannon every day during Ramadan, thus setting a precedent. This is why the cannon is fondly referred to as the Hajja Fatma. 

Another version says that in 287 Hijri or the 10th century, the Fatimid Caliph of Egypt instructed that a cannon be placed at the highest point in the city on the Citadel and fired at sunset during Ramadan. The effect was the same; those who heard it used it as a sign to end the day’s fast.  

The idea then spread across the Middle East to Jerusalem, Damascus and Baghdad in the late 19th century.

In the UAE, the practice began in Sharjah in the 1800s under the rule of Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr (1803 - 1866), before being introduced in Dubai in the 1900s under the rule of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum (1912-1958). 

Several locations in Dubai are earmarked for the cannon blasts – two in Deira, one in Karama and one in Safa Park. A team of 20 officers handle each of the six British-made cannons, as a crowd gathers to cheer them on.

In Saudi Arabia, the holy city of Mecca is the only  place where this tradition continues.  A cannon perched on a high peak called Jabal Al-Madafea, or Mountain of the Cannon, alerts the faithful to the start and end of the fast.

Source: Yahoo! Maktoob

Annabelle Rama apologizes for ruckus at Dolphy wake

On the third night of Comedy King Dolphy’s wake at the Heritage Park in Taguig, a fight allegedly broke out between Annabelle Rama and entertainment columnist Chito Alcid in the dining area where the stars of Sampaguita Pictures gathered.

On his Facebook page, Alcid said that Rama chased after him and hurled invectives. Rama was apparently peeved at Alcid’s unflattering reports about daughter Ruffa Gutierrez.

“Pagtungo ko sa CR, few steps away ay nakita ko si Rama na susunod na gagamit ng CR,” Alcid recounted. “Nagkatinginan kami. Umatras na lang ako without saying a word or any expression sa mukha. Bigla itong nagmumura at nagsisigaw.”

‘Mga bastos na salita’

Alcid said he turned his back but Annabelle chased after him, all the while uttering words that he said was “hindi katanggap-tanggap ng mga bisitang naroroon.”

Alcid wrote, “Hindi ko siya pinatulan. Respeto naman kay Tito Dolphy at sa pamilya nito, gayun din sa mga bisita. Meron siyang hawak na matulis na bagay. May dinampot pa siyang kutsilyo. Continious ang pagmumura niya at mga bastos sa salita.” 

Alcid said the incident was witnessed by the stars in the dining area, including Dolphy’s son, actor Epy Quizon. It was German Moreno who first tried to break the fight, wrote Alcid, before Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson calmly led Rama away. 

“Walang nagawa si Eddie Gutierrez. Hindi niya kayang pigilan si Rama,” said Alcid.

Later, he wrote, “Dumating na ang security assigned at inilabas na ang nangugulo.”

Annabelle’s side

Rama took to Twitter to comment on the incident. She claimed that it was Alcid who confronted her. 

“Sinundan nya ako sa cr at hinarap nya ako, akala (niya) na yan na natatakot ako sa kanya,” she tweeted  and then followed it up with, “kaya ko sya hinampas ang yabang kase dahil marami syang kasama. Duwag matapang ka lang sa facebook at twitter.”

After more tweets ostensibly directed at Alcid, Annabelle apologized to Zsa Zsa and the Quizon family.

“I am so sorry for what had happened at the dining area of the Heritage,” Rama tweeted. “I was provoked by a fake reporter.”

Source: Yahoo! OMG News