Apply here

So I've been considering jobs around town for the last couple of weeks, and I've been surprised at how many places won't give you an application anymore. Time and time again, the response has been, "Go to our website and apply online." This is a rather strange development, considering all the work involved in filling out an application is done by the person applying. Surely these companies have to print the applications anyway at some point, at least for those they intend to interview, so they can't be saving much on printing costs.

There are a couple of things that bother me about this. Number one, by denying walk-ins a piece of paper to fill out and return, they are automatically filtering out those who can't afford or just don't have internet access. Sears and some others get around this problem by providing a computer terminal in the store for this purpose, if you're willing to stand there and go through the process in public for twenty to thirty minutes. Yes, you could do it at the library, but once again you're in public and it's a hassle you don't have to worry about with a paper form.

Number two, you're providing a host of sensitive personal information to them over the internet, and if you're applying to multiple places, you're doing it over and over again. I'm not paranoid when it comes to the internet, but I have had my credit card number stolen once and it's not fun. Yeah, big companies probably have lots of security on their end, but what about the person sending it? There are keystroke loggers and nasty things now that many people do nothing to defend against (even though they should). At least in the past you could believe the computers your social security number and address and phone number were being entered into inside the company were relatively safe.

In spite of the above, I realize it's much more convenient to type up an application and hit a button from home than to go get the form, fill it out, and return it. I just think you should still have the option if, for whatever reason, you ask for the paper application. Two choices are better than one.