Print Application Form or Fill Online?

Plantation7

I am used to printing out Application forms and sending them back in the post, this is only when it is sent on a PDF or Word Doc via Email, i would rather use click and paste but can't seem to do it properly with Word or PDFs without all the text going everywhere.

Am i missing something here, does an easy way exist which because when i try to fill the form the text boxes and printed text starts moving all over the place as if it's not locked into place, although some Council Application Forms have better forms where text doesn't move.

agrinnall

I think you have to decide on a case by case basis, if the form designer has done their job properly to make it easy to fill in online then do that, otherwise it may be better to print and complete by hand. You could also make the form design one of the criteria for deciding where to apply, if they can't get a simple thing like that right what else might go badly wrong if you start to work for them?

[Deleted User]

I do tend to email the forms back but if it is horrendous to complete I just print and send.

jobbingmusician

I always do them online. But I agree about poor formatting of Word docs and real annoyance at PDF forms. I've been known to spend longer block copying and pasting text to create a similar looking but usable form than it takes me to complete the form.... (But I still save time over all by having all the basics ready to copy and paste in Word, and having stock phrases I can tweak for all the questions, personal statement etc.)

jonnygee2

What're the jobs you are applying for? If they need IT skills then it would be better to work out the form. If they don't require IT skills printing and posting is probably fine, although potentially less convenient for the recruiter as it's less usual.

If a form is giving you problems, check the program you are using to open it. If it's a PDF use Adobe Acrobat Reader and if it is Word use the latest version of word.

If you are copying and pasting text into the form try this:

- Copy and paste the text into windows notepad
- Copy and paste it from windows notepad into the form