I have completed several employment documents over the past few months and have observations and questions about job applications and affirmative action forms.
Observations about Job Applications
When filling out applications, job seekers should keep the following in mind.
- Do not any leave any spaces blank unless they do not apply to you.
- Answer every question as accurately as possible.
- Depending on the state in which you live, your social security number may not be required on the document.
- Applications are legal documents and there are consequences for lying.
Questions about Job Applications
I have a few questions about job applications based on my experiences.
- Some applicant tracking systems make salary information a required field and won’t allow you to move forward if you don’t enter data. Do you put your most recent salary, the salary you desire or something else?
- What do you say when the application asks why your job ended and “assignment ended” is not one of the options listed and there is no room for an explanation – resignation, layoff or other?
- What do you put on your application when the exact dates of employment or education is requested and you don’t remember them?
- Should you put your advanced degree on your resume in order to be considered for position titles lower than what you’re applying for? If you don’t put it on your resume and application, and it’s discovered through a background check, would you be disqualified or fired for not disclosing this information?
- Should applicants contact companies to follow up on the status of their applications if the job ad says, “No phone calls please?”
Observations about Affirmative Action Self-Identification Forms
Companies that do business with the government are required to track and report “protected” information of applicants. However, job seekers do not have to complete them.
Protected information includes race, color, gender, national origin, disability and military or veteran status. One form asked about sexual identity. I haven’t seen any that inquire about age, marital status or religion yet.
Companies using these forms claim not to make employment decisions based on any of these factors but there is no way for us to know if this is true.
Questions about Affirmative Action Self-Identification Forms
I do have one question that I have never bothered to research. Why do forms ask if you are Hispanic or Latino first? Why does that matter? If you know, please share.
That concludes my observations and questions about job applications and affirmative action forms.
What About You?
Do you have any questions or observations about these forms or any other documents job seekers are asked to complete?
Let us know in the comment box below.
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