function validateEmpApp()
{
		decision = 0;

		var emailStr = document.apply.email.value;
		var emailPat = /^(.+)@(.+)$/;
		var matchArray = emailStr.match(emailPat);
		if (matchArray == null)
		{
			alert("The email address you've entered does not appear to be correct, please reenter it.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.email.select;
			return -1;
		}

		if (apply.ssn.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your social security number.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.ssn.select;
			return -1;		
		} 
		if (apply.firstName.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your first name.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.firstName.select;
			return -1;		
		} 	
		if (apply.lastName.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your last name.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.lastName.select;
			return -1;		
		}
		if (apply.streetPresent.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your present street address.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.streetPresent.select;
			return -1;		
		} 	
		if (apply.cityPresent.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your present city.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.cityPresent.select;
			return -1;		
		} 	
		if (apply.statePresent.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your present state.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.statePresent.select;
			return -1;		
		} 	
		if (apply.zipPresent.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your present zip address.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.zipPresent.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if (apply.streetPermanent.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your permanent street address.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.streetPresent.select;
			return -1;		
		} 	
		if (apply.cityPermanent.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your permanent city.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.cityPresent.select;
			return -1;		
		} 	
		if (apply.statePermanent.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your permanent state.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.statePresent.select;
			return -1;		
		}
		if (apply.zipPermanent.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your permanent zip address.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.zipPresent.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if (apply.phone.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your phone number.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.phone.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if ((apply.areyou18[0].checked == false) && (apply.areyou18[1].checked == false)){
			alert("Please specify if you are 18 years of age or older.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.areyou18.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if ((apply.areyouAuthorized[0].checked == false) && (apply.areyouAuthorized[1].checked == false)){
			alert("Please specify if you are authorized to work in the US.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.areyouAuthorized.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if (apply.positionDesired.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in the position(s) in which you are interested.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.positionDesired.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if (apply.dateCanStart.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in the date which you can start.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.dateCanStart.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if (apply.salaryDesired.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in your desired salary.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.salaryDesired.select;
			return -1;		
		}
	//*********************************************************
	// emergency contact information
	//*********************************************************
		if (apply.emergencyContactName.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in who you wish to have as an emergency contact.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.emergencyContactName.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if (apply.emergencyContactAddress.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in the address of your emergency contact.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.emergencyContactAddress.select;
			return -1;		
		}	
		if (apply.emergencyContactPhone.value == ""){
			alert("Please fill in the phone number of your emergency contact.");
			decision = 1;
			document.apply.emergencyContactPhone.select;
			return -1;		
		}

		if (decision == 0)
			document.apply.submit();
}