ONLINE JOB APPLICATIONS: 

A NEW FORM OF DISCRIMINATION?

I have now been unemployed for one year.  I have sent out a countless number of resumes (95% of them to faceless, nameless online recipients), yet I haven't received one job offer and have sadly had very few interviews.

I have attended seminars to find out the best ways to present myself (something that I didn't feel I was doing so poorly prior to becoming unemployed), taken classes on freshening up and super-improving my resume, upgraded my computer skills and even dyed my hair to cover the grey that was showing.

Still nothing!

I have taken the current job market into consideration and know that there is no logical reason why I (and the millions of capable Americans who are also out of work) should not have good jobs (this includes employment that is fulfilling in all ways not just financially).  So I put on my detective hat and started doing a little snooping in between job hunting.  

I have discovered the following things - some of which I am still "investigating":

As many of us know, the way to apply for 99.9% of the jobs available is by way of online applications.  Most jobs are listed in the careers section on a company's website.  

I've sent out most of my applications this way and have now found out that I possibly have wasted my time doing so.  Several HR directors have informed me that many companies prefer to promote from within.  However, they still must list the open position for "legal" reasons.  Wow!  What a mind blower.

The next shocker came when I was informed that most online applications use the same program (that's why so many of them look the same and ask for the same information).  Makes sense to me, especially with the amount of responses that company's must receive to even one posting.  The shocker came when I was told that there are sub-sections in the programs that not only seek out education and experience, but also age, race and other items that can help in eliminating you from the job pool.

The final heart stopper recently came when an Asian friend asked me how my job search was going.  When I informed her that I was still unemployed, she commented that she wasn't surprised (not because of my skills) given my approach to job hunting.  I of course asked her to elaborate since at this point any information can be helpful.  My friend informed me that three things: my name, address and age were keeping me from breaking through the online application stage and heading straight to the in-person interview stage.  Wow!  Another mind blower.

So the question I am putting out there is if this information correct, then how will I ever find a job?  I have enough common and business sense to know that one way to get and lose a job fast is to lie on your job application.  Something that I have never done and don't choose to do now.

I will continue to "play" the game but will also search for better ways to get past those darn online applications.

Multicultural shot courtesy of www.dreamstime.com