I've been unemployed for a long time, and my unemployment is about to run out. Thusly, I have started applying for jobs that I normally wouldn't (i.e. - Walmart, Safeway, McDonalds, etc.)

All of these companies have online application processes, through their corporate office. I'm used to applying with local businesses, so I'm not really sure what to do in the case of a corporate job. Should I call the stores that I am applying with after I fill in the online app?

Yes, I suggest you visit local businesses and fill out applications, if they want that from you. In this economy, a job hunter can't do too much when looking for work. Hunting for a job is a job all by itself.

I suggest you type up a nice cover letter for each business you wish to work for letting them know why you would be an asset to their business.
Now you put this cover letter with your resume.

When you go to a business ask to speak to the manager, if the manager is not there come back when the manager is there.

Put your cover letter with the resume, give it plus the filled out application to the manager directly.

Yes, cover letters are very important. There has been a lot of different opinions on this lately.

I just recently had a Call Center job come open in my call center. I received 60+ applications for this job. The first thing I did was separate the stacks with cover letters and without cover letters. I went through and read all the cover letters first, I think I have about 17 of them. Than I pulled out the ones that I really liked. Next I went through those resume's and pulled the ones that had the skills I needed. From those 9 resume's I picked the 5 people that had:
#1. The best cover letter and
#2. The resume with the most information on it (Dates etc).
#3. Good references (supervisors, former co workers)
#4. letters of recommendation

After I have my 5 picks I call them in for interviews. I usually schedule 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon all week leaving Friday free. When the department supervisor and I have interviewed all 5 asking them all the same set of questions which I have printed out an a sheet with the written answers and my notes we pick the top 2 candidates.

We than call references and we go back through the information given by the candidates and review the interview material.

We than decide on the 1 candidate that we call and offer the job to. If that candidate is no longer available or decides not to take the job we call the 2nd choice.

What is important at the interview is showing up on time, have clean clothes on and be well groomed, be outgoing and friendly (I don't want to draw every word out of you), and be honest when asked questions. Please do not tell me your life's story I do not need to know. I need to know that you can do the job, that you will stay with it for a while and that you will come to work on time and work until your shift is done.

Shirley

Wildsporty this is great information for a job applicant because it gives insight to the process that HR or a hiring manager goes through in screening applicants and will help an applicant be in the best position to at least get an interview.

Not only should you, you must. You fill out online, go by , not during busy times, and ask about jobs, and then go back every week. If you mail out resumes, you just don't mail and forget, you call back, go visit and sell yourself