Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#1

Post by rohamg » Mon, May 25, 2015, 8:04 PM UTC

I'd love to hear the HN community's feedback: when applying for jobs (especially at startups) do you prefer to see a structured application form, an auto-apply method such as LinkedIn, or simply an email address?

Is an email address a negative for anyone?

Re: Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#2

Post by StefanBG » Mon, May 25, 2015, 8:07 PM UTC

I am sure there is a better way. The most frustrating aspect of applying for jobs is that each one often has its own requirements (apply online, vs email, cover letters, etc)

Re: Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#3

Post by MichaelCrawford » Mon, May 25, 2015, 8:29 PM UTC

I prefer to send email. Often web forms have a very small space for a cover letter, so I have to write it in some other program then paste it in.

I'm not real sure but speculate that my applications would be more successful if I sent dead trees via snail mail. That used to work well back in the day.

Re: Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#4

Post by jonathanpeterwu » Mon, May 25, 2015, 8:42 PM UTC

MichaelCrawford wrote: post #3

I prefer to send email. Often web forms have a very small space for a cover letter, so I have to write it in some other program then paste it in. I'm not real sure but speculate that my applications would be more successful if I sent dead trees via snail mail. That used to work well back in the day.

I agree email is a bit more preferable.

Re: Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#5

Post by osrec » Mon, May 25, 2015, 8:50 PM UTC

Email is better for me, and more specifically, email directly to a person and not a mailbox; I always get more traction this way and so prefer it.

Re: Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#6

Post by mod » Tue, May 26, 2015, 5:53 AM UTC

Generally speaking, I think email is better, given that it's not a variable format.

Web forms vary wildly in quality, and I've had some pretty bad experiences trying to work with application systems in the past.

Re: Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#7

Post by chrisbennet » Tue, May 26, 2015, 6:40 AM UTC

I prefer email. A web form signals that the company (or whomever they farmed out their recruiting to) is impersonal and/or trying to optimize for their own convenience. Ginorma Corp has a web form, Cool Little Company doesn't - and I prefer to work for the latter.

Also, with an emailed cover letter, I can be more expressive by using italics and formatting, etc.

Re: Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#8

Post by bopf » Tue, May 26, 2015, 10:56 AM UTC

Email is much better. I want a creative intro that makes me want to read the attached CV

Re: Ask HN: Do you prefer applying to jobs via forms or email?

#9

Post by ljk » Tue, May 26, 2015, 10:40 PM UTC

forms if "salary requirement" isn't one of the questions