I have a friend who is currently employed but actively search for a new gig. He's a six figure guy. Makes his way through life as a Finance Manager for a marketing firm. He was telling me about his current job hunting efforts and he's not happy with employers.

He showed me his 'apply' list. It contained 34 jobs he had found online and applied to. About 10 of them were actual employers, the rest through staffing firms.

I asked him to compare the responses he's gotten from the agencies as opposed to employers.

He has always had a perception that applying online is a black hole. This time is the same he says. None of the employers have contacted him yet (he's eminently qualified) and all but a few sent him a "Thanks we got your resume" email. But several third party recruiters have reached out to him and they appear to be most interested in getting him a job.

He also laments the fact that most employers online forms are too lengthy and cumbersome. I cant argue with that. There are still way to many barriers on these forms that discourage job seekers from getting through them. He tells me he only likes to apply when there's an email address for the job posting.

So if you are an HR person reading this...do him and the millions of others like him a favor. Dont make job seekers 'register' on your sites to apply for a job. Dont make them jump hoops in online forms. Do give them a quick way to apply.

Otherwise you are keeping the resume black hole theory alive and well.