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In today’s job market, you must be able to navigate the online application process.

First, make sure your resume gets there by checking out the company website for instructions. There's no industry standard, so they vary.

They may tell you the proffered operating system to use. Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari usually work fine, but make sure you are updated to the recommended version.

You can write the best resume loaded with great credentials, but if it arrives looking like a bowl of alphabet soup, it won't do you much good. So, look for the formatting instructions. The site will usually specify Word or Adobe documents, along with file-size limits.

After receiving your application, most companies will send you a confirmation email. If you don't receive that, do not – repeat, do not – call them to complain about their bad system and how you resent being slighted and ignored. Before blaming them, go to your spam file.

Automatic filters often route certain emails directly to the spam folder many people have filters set up to exclude practically anything with an attachment. So, check your spam first.

After you've done it all according to the instructions and received confirmation, when should you call them? If the site says it’s a long process and don't call, my advice is to leave it alone. If there's no such warning, give it a handful of days and then re-contact them to see if they need more information. What are they going to do, fault you for being interested in a job?