What's your impression of companies that make you fill out long and very detailed applications? (job offer, self employed)

[beenhereandthere]

Now I can see a justification for a very long application if one actually has a conditional job offer or if it's a high security position, like a police officer or teacher or bank, but I just spent 45 minutes filling out one for Goodyear, as a driver, which, certainly is not a high security position.

They also ask questions, like "Have you ever been fired?" (ever, even if it was beyond the statue of limitations of disclosure in the state you reside), "How many times have you been late or sick in your last long term job?" (a prior employer cannot answer that question anyway, even if they called them) and even asked for my birthdate on a "for identification purposes only" form and I thought for sure, that was illegal, until a job offer was actually made.

Opinions? If I can see from the start that the application is that long, I usually don't apply for the job, since that could tell me something about the company's culture. I only finished this one, since, it wasn't clear that the app would be that long and I figured I might as well just complete it.

[Osito]

Sadly most customer service-types of jobs for large companies have applications like that. I'll do that if I want the job bad enough, but if not, I won't bother. It all depends.

[beenhereandthere]

I don't see the point. Often, most people, who are already in not the best mood to start with since they're unemployed or underemployed, don't have that much patience or time. Unless, they're sincere about going further with those, that actually take the time to fill out an application that long. But, car rental companies, retail stores and restaurants doing this? It's crap.

[macroy]

Originally Posted by beenhereandthere

I don't see the point. Often, most people, who are already in not the best mood to start with since they're unemployed or underemployed, don't have that much patience or time. Unless, they're sincere about going further with those, that actually take the time to fill out an application that long. But, car rental companies, retail stores and restaurants doing this? It's crap.

Then don't apply. That's what I would do if I feel the long process isn't worth the effort for the advertised job.

As for the bolded part - I don't see why that's any of the employer's concern (or business). They have a need to fill positions, and they develop/procure a way to accept applicant's resumes/information. Perhaps some of these questions were just defaulted into the solution they purchased. If the job is desirable enough for me, I'll jump through a few more hoops. If not, I move on.

[myrc60]

The process can be much longer than it needs to be. Used to be that a resume contained enough information for an employer to decide if they wanted to talk to you. If they like you, they call you. If the conversation goes well you're invited for an interview where you physically fill out a paper application. The idea that I should give them so much information before I know they are interested in me is a turn off. I filled out 100's of these things online; same story as OP 45 minutes in and I'm finally ready to hit continue and find yet even more to fill out. The idea that I have to create an "account" in order to even start is an even bigger turn off! A simple email form is all that is needed and many, if not the majority, go much further than that! I gave up and became self employed hoping I will never ever have to go through that again! So far its working out for me!

[oldtrader]

Lets look at from the employers side. They want to hire a well qualified person, that will also fit in with their present work force.

They have two choices, a short app that does not give them enough information to decide to interview a person, and do 500 interviews. This would be crazy, as they have a lot more to do that interview 500 people.

Have a long app, and learn enough about the person to evaluate if they can do the job, and be compatible with the others on the work force. They ask a lot of questions, they would ask at an interview. They will spend a minute or two, looking at some of the app to see if the person is qualified. If that goes well, they read a few more of the answers, and if you pass that scan, they go further into the app and select the ones that best fit the education, experience, and possibly will fit in with the work force. The few that pass the entire process, will be offered an interview.

They don't have time to interview everyone. They have developed a system in their detailed app to be able to come down to the final selection that may qualify you for the job and be compatible to work with. That detailed app is your first interview, like it or not.

In many parts of he country, they will get hundreds and possibly over a thousand apps for every job. There has to be some way to the wheat (qualified applicant) from the chaff (not qualified but applied anyway). The detailed app, has replaced the first interview. It saves them a tremendous amount of time, that is needed for their other duties.

Hint: Don't apply for a job, that you really are not qualified for and save you and the HM a lot of time and trouble. Reason: There are going to be a number of applicants that meet the companies needs. The detailed app, is designed to get rid of a lot of those that are not qualified in a very quick method. At the same time, those that meet the job qualifications exactly will be interviewed.

[hopefulone]

What's your impression of companies that make you fill out long and very detailed applications?

Not good I can tell you that.

[joe from dayton]

Your first problem is not having any idea what a potential employer is allowed to ask you, nor what a previous employer is allowed to say about you. A potential employer can ask damn near anything they want and, a previous employer can say anything they want as long as it is the truth, to include how many times you were late, and how many times you called off sick. There are a significant number of people who are simply ignorant about labor law, but that does not keep them from perpetuating false information, especially on this forum. So, it sounds like you believe whoever is feeding you a bunch of crap. Please do yourself a favor and educate yourself on the matter. It is easy enough to do on line and in a short period of time.

As far as Goodyear goes, as a driver you will have unfettered and unsupervised access to thousands of dollars worth of desirable product that must be delivered on time, so they want the most reliable person they can find.

[Hemlock140]

I have never seen those kind of questions for good jobs, usually I only hear about them for the minimum wage, retail, and service jobs where it's more important to be there with the high turnover, and difficulty in covering for someone that doesn't show up. If someone is out of working and wants a job, they have to either play along, or lose an opportunity.

In my case where the lowest paid subordinate is at about $24/hour, that kind of question is not asked, but we depend on good references, and the 6 month probation period.

[MSchemist80]

humouring companies that jerk you around or waste your time rarely results in a decent job with a good company. I've learned that the hard way. At the minimum their HR people are off their leash and incompetent.