Career Tips

Approach applications carefully

Fri, 09 Oct 2009

Application forms are designed and used to screen you out rather than in. It's important to put some thought and research to filling them out...We tell you how.

Steps to completing an Application Form:

Step 1
Open a personal file and collect together all the information you will need to fill in an application form - such as your CV, certificates, letters of reference, etc.. Keep extra copies of documents to enclose with application forms.

Step 2
Research the company you are applying to before filling out the form to help you focus your answers to meet the company's needs. It will help your application stand out against the competition.

Step 3
Make photocopies of the application form to practise on. Keep original for your final draft.

Step 4
Read through the application form carefully a number of times, analyse it and make sure you understand its aims and all the instructions and questions.

Step 5
Draft your answers in rough first. Think carefully on how you are going to convey your information, skills and abilities through the questions asked, and bearing in mind the research you have done on the organisation.

Step 6
Check spelling and punctuation, and get a friend or tutor to double-check it for you! NOW complete the original form neatly in black ink. Remember to enclose (certified?) copies of any required documents with your application.

Step 7
Make a copy of your completed application form before submitting it to the employer. It is valuable to have a record of exactly what you said in the form, in case you get called for an interview.

Step 8
Make sure you get it in before the closing date and allow extra time for slow post.

NOTES ABOUT APPLICATION FORMS

1. Application forms are designed and used to screen you out rather than in. Because of this you need to put much thought and research into answering each question to be competitive in your application. It takes time and effort to complete properly.
2. Always provide detailed information - remember the selector knows nothing at all about you. Where possible give concrete examples to back up your statements and answers and which will help the selector imagine you in context.
3. Make good use of the space provided for each answer by being as comprehensive as possible. How you answer the questions will give the selector a picture of you and your work potential. Aim to make the selector want to meet you for an interview.