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Applying for a loan, job, or apartment online is easier than ever. In fact, during the pandemic, it’s been the only way for consumers to continue interacting with the global market.
As applications continue to move to the digital sphere, it’s important to understand how to make the most out of the online platforms and resources available.
Before you sign up for a new loan, buy a home, or accept a job offer, there are a few things you should know to make the most out of your online application.
Secure the best rates, enjoy top customer service, and increase the chances of your online form being accepted. Avoid these common mistakes when filling out digital forms to maximize the success of your submission.
Don’t Miss Deadlines or Requirements
For any application, whether you’re looking for a job or scholarship or a spot for you to go to daycare – missing a single deadline could disqualify your submission. Staying on top of due dates, submission guidelines, and even format requirements could keep your application out of the “no” pile.
The first step to building a successful application strategy is making a date-keeping system. Your phone’s mobile calendar is a good place to start or even a wall calendar above your home workspace. Post-its, reminder apps, and even smarthome alerts could also be useful tools.
No matter how you stay informed, do whatever you need to ensure that you won’t miss key dates and deadlines surrounding your pending submission.
Read the Fine Print
Before you take out a loan, start a new job, or begin your school term – understand exactly what you’re signing up for. The fine print will often disclose important information such as:
- Interest payment information
- Disqualification terms
- Grace periods
- Routine requirements
- Penalties
Even creating an online account can come with strings attached, if you don’t know what you’re signing up for.
Although the FTC has established laws requiring “clear and conspicuous” disclosures for contract terms. However, that is often taken literally and it’s still possible to overlook critical information.
No matter what you’re signing up for, you could be agreeing to terms that are drastically different from those advertised. This cruise goer, for example, earned an award of $10,000 simply for reading the fine print on her travel insurance policy.
Keeping your privacy is critical, especially in the growing digital age. Ensure that you’re aware of all aspects of your pending contract before signing, as well as how this new asset or opportunity will affect you in the long run.
Triple Check All Requirements
Applying for anything online can be a much faster process than filling out forms by hand. Although you might be tempted to breeze through online forms with ease, you could be skipping over key information if you aren’t too careful.
When applying for a position or opportunity with prerequisites, be sure that you meet the minimum criteria before wasting your time. While you might not need to fill the space for every item on the list, you should be certain that you’re at least eligible for the loan, position, or resource you’re seeking.
Even if you’ve applied for a similar agreement in the past, terms and laws can change which affect the terms you’d be agreeing to. Additionally, different states – and even counties – can hold different requirements when it comes to securing a job, loan, home, or other assets.
When accessing this information online, you might be required to fill out preliminary questions before you’re even allowed to continue the application. This helps managers and servicers determine eligibility as quickly as possiblewhile saving both parties’ time.
Applying for a title pawn, car note, or apartment online is faster and more accessible than ever. Now, there’s no need to be concerned with public transit, commute times, or even the cost of printing paper materials to submit an application for virtually anything.
But, be sure to keep these tips in mind to maximize every minute you spend online. You never know what you’re really agreeing to unless you read every word.
