At a number of large companies, job hunters using Macs will have a hard time submitting their applications. Companies such as American Express, Target, and Sears all use the services of talent management firm BrassRing to handle their online job applications. However, BrassRing"s current software system does not support Mac browsers. Mac users visiting these American Express"s application forms are greeted by a rather humorous message suggesting they head to their local public library or internet cafe. Visitors to the Sears and Target application pages receive no such warning. Instead, Mac"s Safari browser will simply crash or throw an error at the user.
A representative from BrassRing stated that support had no been added for Mac browsers due to lack of demand. However, Mac"s market share has been steadily gaining. Shipments were up 48 percent in the third quarter of this year, and Apple"s total market share rose to 4.3 percent. BrassRing spokesman Doug Jensen said that company"s Enterprise 8 software, due out in December, would be Firefox compatible. This still of course requires Mac users to download additional software, but it is a better alternative to taking a stroll down to your local internet cafe or public library.
Representatives from Sears, American Express, and Target were not available for comment.