In today’s digital age, submitting job applications often involves digital documents. Whether you need to send a scanned copy of your handwritten application, your resume, certificates, or any other essential paperwork, knowing how to scan documents using your smartphone is a valuable skill. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to scan your job application and other documents directly from your phone, making the application process smoother and more efficient.
Why Scan Your Job Application?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why scanning your job application is beneficial:
- Digital Backup: Creating digital copies ensures you have a backup of your important application documents, protecting them from loss or damage.
- Easy Sharing: Digital documents are easily shareable via email, cloud storage, or application portals, which is essential for online job applications.
- Professional Presentation: Scanned documents often present a cleaner and more professional look compared to simply taking a photo of your documents.
- Versatility: Scanning allows you to convert various document types, from handwritten applications to printed resumes, into universally accepted digital formats like PDF or JPG.
- Efficiency: Scanning with your phone is quick and convenient, eliminating the need for a traditional scanner.
Now, let’s explore the methods to scan your job application using your smartphone.
Method 1: Using a Dedicated Scanner App (CamScanner)
For a robust scanning experience with advanced features, using a dedicated scanner app like CamScanner is highly recommended. CamScanner is a popular choice that offers features like automatic edge detection, image enhancement, and PDF conversion. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Download and Install CamScanner
Alt text: CamScanner app icon displayed on a smartphone screen, prompting the user to download the application for scanning documents.
While CamScanner is highlighted here, numerous other document scanner apps are available on app stores (both for Android and iOS). Feel free to explore alternatives if you prefer a different interface or feature set.
Step 2: Launch CamScanner and Start Scanning
Alt text: CamScanner app interface on a mobile device, showcasing the ‘Start Scanning’ button to initiate the document scanning process.
Open the CamScanner app and look for the “Start Scanning” or a camera icon, usually located at the bottom of the screen. Tap this button to begin. Ensure the app has permission to access your camera.
Step 3: Prepare Your Job Application Document
Alt text: The CamScanner app’s document scanning interface, with the ‘Docs’ option highlighted to indicate document scanning mode.
Within the CamScanner app, ensure you’ve selected the “Docs” mode. This mode is specifically designed for document scanning and will optimize settings for text clarity and edge detection. Place your job application or document on a flat, well-lit surface.
Step 4: Scan the Document within the Guidelines
Alt text: Scanning a document using CamScanner, with guidelines visible on the screen to help align the document edges for optimal scanning.
Position your phone camera directly above the document. CamScanner will automatically detect the edges of the document and outline them with a guideline on your screen. Adjust the phone’s position until the guidelines accurately frame the entire document. Tap the capture button to take the scan.
Step 5: Apply Filters for Enhancement
Alt text: CamScanner filter selection screen, allowing users to enhance scanned documents with various filter options for improved readability.
After capturing the scan, CamScanner offers various filters to enhance the image quality. Options like “Magic Color,” “Grayscale,” or “B&W” can improve text clarity and contrast, making your scanned job application look more professional and easier to read. Choose a filter that best suits your document.
Step 6: Choose Your Desired Output Format
Alt text: CamScanner’s save options, showing the choice between saving scanned documents in PDF or JPG format.
CamScanner allows you to save your scanned document in either PDF or JPG format. For job applications, PDF is generally preferred as it preserves formatting and is universally accepted. Select your desired format before saving.
Step 7: Save and Share Your Scanned Job Application
Alt text: A successful document scan confirmation screen in CamScanner, indicating the job application is now scanned and saved on the phone.
Once you’ve selected the format, tap the “Save” or “Done” button. Your scanned job application is now saved on your phone and ready to be shared. You can easily share it directly from the CamScanner app via email or other sharing options.
Method 2: Using Your Phone’s Built-in Scanner (Without Apps)
Many modern smartphones come equipped with built-in document scanning features, eliminating the need for third-party apps. This is a convenient option if you prefer not to install additional applications. The availability and exact steps may vary slightly depending on your phone’s brand and operating system (Android or iOS). Here’s a general guide:
Step 1: Locate the Built-in Scanner App or Feature
Alt text: Smartphone screen showing the location of a built-in scanner app, indicating that some phones have pre-installed scanning capabilities.
Some phones have a dedicated “Scanner” app pre-installed. On other devices, the scanning feature might be integrated into the camera app or file management system. For example, on iPhones, the “Notes” app has a built-in document scanning feature. On some Android phones, you might find a “Document Scan” mode within the camera app’s “More” or “Modes” section. Search your phone’s app drawer or settings for “Scanner” or “Document Scan.”
Step 2: Select Document Scanning Mode
Alt text: The document scanning mode selection screen on a built-in scanner app, highlighting the ‘Docs’ or ‘Document’ option for optimized document scanning.
Once you’ve opened the built-in scanner, look for a “Document” or “Docs” mode. Selecting this mode will optimize the scanning process for documents, similar to the “Docs” mode in CamScanner.
Step 3: Align the Document with Guidelines
Alt text: Using a built-in scanner app to scan a document, with guidelines helping the user align the document for a clean and professional scan.
Position your document on a flat surface and hold your phone directly above it. The built-in scanner will usually provide guidelines on the screen to help you align the document edges. Adjust your phone until the document is properly framed within the guidelines.
Step 4: Capture and Save Your Scan
Alt text: Saving a scanned document using a built-in scanner app, showing the save options after a successful document scan.
Tap the capture button to scan your job application. After scanning, most built-in scanners offer basic editing options like cropping and rotation. However, built-in scanners often save documents as JPG images by default.
Step 5: Finalize and Share
Alt text: A confirmation screen after scanning a document with a built-in scanner, indicating the scanned job application is saved and ready for use.
Save your scanned job application. If you need a PDF format and your built-in scanner only saves as JPG, you can use online JPG to PDF converter tools to convert the image file to PDF before submitting your application.
Scanning Barcodes and QR Codes for Job Applications
While this article primarily focuses on scanning document images, the keyword “Cara Scan Barcode Lamaran Kerja” brings up the topic of barcodes and QR codes. In the context of job applications, you might encounter QR codes or barcodes in a few scenarios:
- Online Application Portals: Some job application websites or portals may use QR codes to direct you to the application page or provide additional information.
- Recruitment Event Materials: Flyers or brochures at job fairs might contain QR codes for quick access to application forms or company websites.
- Application Tracking: After submitting your application, you might receive a confirmation with a QR code to track your application status.
Scanning a barcode or QR code is even simpler than scanning documents. Most modern smartphones have built-in QR code scanners directly within their camera apps. Simply open your camera app and point it at the QR code or barcode. Your phone should automatically detect and offer to open the link or display the information encoded in the code.
For older phones or if your camera app doesn’t have this feature, you can download a dedicated QR code scanner app from your app store. There are many free and reliable QR code scanner apps available.
Tips for High-Quality Scans
To ensure your scanned job application looks professional and is easily readable, follow these tips:
- Good Lighting: Scan your documents in a well-lit area to avoid shadows and ensure clarity. Natural daylight is ideal, but avoid direct sunlight which can cause harsh shadows.
- Flat Surface: Place your document on a flat, stable surface. This prevents distortions and ensures the entire document is in focus.
- Steady Hands: Hold your phone steady while scanning to avoid blurry images. If needed, use both hands to stabilize your phone.
- Clean Lens: Make sure your phone’s camera lens is clean. Smudges or dirt on the lens can affect the scan quality.
- Experiment with Filters: Use the filters provided by your scanner app to enhance text clarity and improve the overall appearance of your scanned document.
- Check for Readability: After scanning, review the scanned document to ensure all text is clear and readable before submitting your job application.
Conclusion
Scanning your job application with your phone is a straightforward and efficient way to digitize your documents for online submissions and safekeeping. Whether you choose to use a dedicated scanner app like CamScanner or utilize your phone’s built-in scanning capabilities, the process is quick and user-friendly. By following the steps outlined in this guide and applying the tips for high-quality scans, you can confidently create professional-looking digital copies of your job application and other important documents, streamlining your job search and application process.