How to apply for a job online?

Craft resume to include common search terms — and no spelling errors

Back in the day, getting your job application noticed used to mean drafting a crisp cover letter and resume on 24-pound, watermarked linen paper. But rising to the top of the pile is a bit different for the Monster and HotJobs generation.

With job applications now more likely to be filled out online, it's trickier to get attention when you're filling out a form on a Web site. To stand out from the crowd, you'll have to get into the mindset of a recruiter and work the online system.

The human resources department of a typical large company may receive hundreds of applications for each job it posts. To sort through them all, companies search keywords and use filtering software. To make sure you aren't filtered out, adjust your resume to mimic the language in the company's job listing. If the job description uses the words "accounts payable," "accounts receivable" and "general ledger," make sure those phrases are tailored into your resume.