I prefer having it in person. I think you can make a real impression when you are in person as compared to some application the manager or person hiring would read online.

@Steve A Thank you I am glad to hear someone feels the same way I do about it.

The online apps are easier to screen so it is better for the business

I still do it in person because it shows initiative, but if they do request online applications only, ye’d best respect their wishes. It shows that you know to follow directions, which is one think I’m pretty sure most bosses look for. I also take down the phone number and call them in person to keep up, at least this way they’ll know you’re really wanting.
As for making good impressions, I’ll save that if I get an interview. Not speaking for every single place there is, but as long as you’re polite and friendly, I’m not sure that the receptionist’s impression of you is asked for by most employers, unless there’s something extreme to have been noted.

As for it being better online or in person I guess this depends. Beyond following the specifications of a potential employer I don’t know much if it’s best or not, especially on the point of view of someone responsible for hiring.

But it’s a hectic society in which we often strive for convenience. I’m happy with online applications only because it saves so much time while job searching.
It probably saves them time too, since they don’t have to sit there and wait for influxes of paper resumes and then store them somewhere, they can just do it from the computer.

Actually I denno if that’s much better but eh, as I say, beyond following directions I’m not too worried about whether or not the employer finds one or the other better as long as they hire my poor ass haha.

I think it really depends on the job. In my industry (Interactive Marketing) you would look foolish if you walked into an agency and asked for a paper application. However if I owned a brick and mortar business or restaurant I could definitely see the benefits to someone handing me their application in person opposed to over the internet.

no. anyone can apply online. just do both. it can’t hurt.

I agree with @drClaw that it depends on what industry you are applying for work in. For many white collar jobs at many large companies, human resources is not prepared to deal with walk-in applicants.

No. I get resumes all the time.

The ones that walk in the door, always go to the top of the pile.

Besides how qualified you are, people want to know if they can work easily with you, and the best way to show that is to meet them.
Also, if you are trying for a public contact position, they will want to see how friendly you are..

As an HR person, I would say that an in person interview is much more effective in gaining you an opportunity to appeal to a recruiter (manager, whoever) than an online resume/application. The resume is just so limited as to what it can convey beside hard skills.

However, the online application is preferred to industry professionals as a way to weed out those who are simply not qualified, regardless of their personality. Being “fair,” and giving everyone who shows up to the HR office takes up ALOT of time and wastes valuable resources. But an HR professional does not want to turn one down after they made a trip to meet in person.

So potentially, (as I’ve been experiencing lately), HR people have to interview 40 simply unqualified people to every 1 candidate with the credentials.

So I would say that both are necessary steps in the process for the good of all involved parties. However, you really want to go for the face-to-face if you are lacking in experience, because on screen, a resume with alot more experience is going to outshine one with comparatively less, but depending on the position, a personality may have more weight!

Hope that helps.

and I agree with @deni. First apply online, and then give it a week. If after a week you haven’t heard anything, show up in person and say “Hello, my name is ____, and I just wanted to follow up regarding an application I filled out last week.” It shows that you have initiative and motivation.

It’s probably better to apply online if you’re looking for a job on the other side of the country…

At least, that worked for me.

It usually takes both @CyanoticWasp were you hired entirely without an in person interview? Most times in person is better.

Depends on what the job is and who’s hiring. Obviously if it is a small local company, in person is better.

@YARNLADY the initial application was via the internet; the first interview was via video conference, and the final interview / offer was in person.