JT & Dale Talk Jobs: Did anyone even look at my job application?

J.T.: It can be really difficult to know if someone at the company has looked at your resume. Sometimes when you apply online, their APS (applicant tracking system) allows them to make a notation; when that happens, you can log in and see if your application has been reviewed. However, that's rare, and most of the time you just have no way of knowing. That's why I encourage people to try to follow up by email with the company's recruiter and ask if they have any questions regarding your candidacy. This might make them go look you up in the APS, whereas you might otherwise be overlooked if you weren't proactive.

DALE: While it's important for anyone looking for a new job to maintain a positive attitude, when it comes to online job applications, it's best to simply assume the worst. Odds are, no human is going to look at your application. If it's a large organization, the APS will sniff around and see if your digital self might be an ideal fit — and notice the key word "ideal," meaning matching every criterion — but that's it. It's better to think of your online application as a long shot; if you hear from the company, it'll be a happy surprise. This is a case where "assuming the worst" is actually a positive attitude. We hear all the time from people saying how discouraged they are, adding, "I've applied online over a hundred times and heard nothing." So, where does that leave you? J.T.'s suggestion of sending an email is a good idea, but that's because it's an attempt at a human connection with someone inside the organization. Even better is to find a connection into the companies where you'd like to work, seeking to get your resume sent from inside the company to the hiring manager.