Job application forms determine whether or not you will make it to the interview stage of the recruitment process, so it is vital that you prepare and put in the effort, in order to get it right.  There is no point in sending out a poor quality application form.  Your application form will be scrutinised and will be compared with others.

 

Most application forms consist of five main sections:

 

Personal Details: most straightforward section.  Make sure you provide a contact number.

 

Education: you will probably be asked to provide details of all the schools, colleges and universities that you have attended, listing the subjects studied and the grades acquired.  It is important that you meet or exceed the qualifications required, as some employers will not even consider your application for the next stage if you fall short of the minimum academic requirement.

 

Employment history: you will be asked to give details of all your employment history including paid and unpaid experience, usually starting with the most recent first.  If you have had a variety of roles, you should try and choose the most relevant for the job you are applying for.

It is important to account for all periods in your life, including any gap years, or periods of time dedicated to travel; do not leave dates unaccounted for.  Try to show that your gap year was a valuable experience where you gained skills and knowledge.

 

Reasons for applying: this is probably one of the most important sections of your application form.  This is where you get to show the employer why they should interview you.  In this section you need to be able to convey:

• the skills and competencies you have for the role

• why you are interested in the position

• why you would be a good 'fit' for the organisation

• convey your understanding and knowledge of the organisation

 

References: most applications ask for two referees.  It is always a good idea to use a referee who can comment on your work experience, and also an academic referee from college or university.  You should always ask the person concerned before putting their name down on the form.  You should also avoid asking friends and relatives to provide a reference.

 

It is vital that you complete all relevant sections of the application form, paying particular attention to grammar, spelling and neatness.  It may be a good idea to get someone else to read it for you, prior to sending it off.

Never lie on your application form.  If you get to the interview stage you may be found out; any sign of dishonesty will not be tolerated.

Keep a copy of your form so you can prepare for your interview if you are successful.

Most of all, prepare!

 

Application Form Guides and Tools

The Careers Service can help you to develop and complete your job application form.  You can make an appointment with a Careers Adviser |or call in to one of our drop-in sessions.

 

For further help with application forms please visit the following tools and resources:

Read the Careers Service guide: Application Forms|.
Visit the Prospects| site for further advice and support on writing application forms.

Visit the Select Simulator| to prepare for online applications. 

See out tips for Expanding your Personal Skills|