Start Applying

Now that we are into action mode – lets tackle the application form! 

Application forms are widely used to recruit staff. They are also used by universities to recruit to postgraduate courses. Ultimately, the purpose of an application form is to get you an interview, whether for a job or a course.

Your application form will often be your first point of contact with an employer and it is vital that you make a good impression. Understanding the types of forms and questions that you are likely to encounter, and how you might go about filling in and answering them, will help you make accurate and effective applications which stand out from the crowd.

Many recruiters prefer application forms to CVs because they help to standardise applications. This can be seen as fairer because recruiters can compare candidates easily. The downside is that this standardised approach also allows recruiters to filter out unsuitable candidates quickly (sometimes this is even done by computer), so it’s important to include all the information necessary to make your case. Employers use written applications to select candidates for interview, and may also refer to information on the form during the interview. It’s a good idea to keep a copy so you can remember what you wrote. The key to a successful application form is preparation. It involves effort, practice, reflection, and a good understanding of sources of information and how to find and use them. Preparation is the most effective way of doing yourself justice in your application form.

Some helpful tips when filling in application forms…

1. Research the job
For every candidate that submits an un-researched application, there will be many more who send a better one. Not doing any research will therefore put you at a distinct disadvantage. Submitting an application form when you have not researched the job you are applying for is like sending in a note saying ‘I am not really bothered whether I get this job or not’. It will be obvious to employers if you have not researched the job and they will not look on your application favourably.

2. Research the company
Researching the company will make you better able to complete your application form effectively, and to judge whether you would like to work there.

• What is its mission? Look on the company’s website for a mission statement or marketing slogan.
• What are its values? Look for information about its customer service standards, for example.
• Is there anything distinctive about its culture, such as long working hours?

Sometimes, employers ask very specific questions to help them to decide if you are really interested in working for them and if you have done your homework on the current issues facing their business.
3. Reflect on previous forms
Application forms may vary, but much of the information you need to supply will remain the same. For example, the dates you went to school, college and university will not change, even if your work experience or list of qualifications expands. Keeping copies of your past forms will therefore save you time. You should keep a copy of the current form you are working on in any case, to save you starting from scratch if anything goes missing.
4.  Can’t I send a CV instead?
It may seem easier to send a CV as well as or instead of an application form, especially if you find some of the questions on the form difficult to answer. The original advert, the form itself, or the accompanying correspondence should make clear whether or not this is acceptable. If it is not clear, it is better not to send a CV. If it is clear, show that you can follow instructions and give the employer what they want.

Another reason for sticking to the rules is that many employers now scan application forms for keywords. They will not be able to do this if you send a CV instead, and you are unlikely to get through to the next round of the recruitment process.

5. Use job information
A successful application form is targeted to the criteria set out by the employer in the information about the job.The level of detail employers provide will vary. Public sector organisations often have lengthy job descriptions and person specifications, while private sector companies may set out fewer criteria. If you are sent both a job description and a person specification, use the latter as the basis for targeting your form.Specifications are often divided into essential (must have) and desirable (would like you to have) criteria. The desirable criteria will be used to narrow down a strong field if a large number of applicants meet the essential criteria. It is therefore important to state clearly if you meet some or all of the desirable criteria as well as demonstrating with evidence and examples how you meet the essential criteria.

6. Read the instructions
As with any other part of an application, it is essential to read the information given to you. Give each employer what they want, and demonstrate in the process that you can follow instructions and pay attention to detail.

7. Answering longer questions
The exact wording may differ between application forms from different companies and organisations, but many are looking for evidence of the same sorts of skills. Being able to articulate and evidence your skills on application forms is therefore vitally important.It’s not always easy to do, but it gets better with practice. The following example was taken from a real application form. How would you answer it?

Example:“Please tell us about an occasion when you have worked as a member of a team or a group. Describe your personal contribution to the group and how the group functioned as a whole”.In answering this type of question, strongly emphasise your role by writing in full sentences using ‘I’. And use power words or active language for maximum impact.

8. What do employers want from applicants?Employers are looking for three main things:

• Someone who can do the job.

They need someone with the right set of skills, attributes and experience to handle successfully the duties and responsibilities of the post.

• Someone who will do the job.

They want someone who appears keen and committed and worth the investment in their training and development. An employer will not want to replace someone six months into the job because they couldn’t do it or they left to do something else.

• Someone who will fit in.

They need someone that they can picture doing the job, working within the team, meeting clients, if appropriate, and fitting into the culture of their organisation. This means complementing rather than replicating existing staff.All you need to do is demonstrate that you can be this person! How can you persuade employers that you can tick all three boxes? Think about the skills and examples you would include in your CV or application form and the words you would use to describe yourself. Employers will make their final decision at the interview stage, but keeping these three areas in mind when completing applications should improve your chances of getting there.

9. How to handle rejection

The number of applications for any job will almost always exceed the number of candidates that the employer can interview, and not all candidates will meet the standards set by the employer. Rejection is therefore inevitable. Even the most experienced people face rejection at application stage. The important thing is to ask for some feedback, to learn from the experience, and to look ahead to next time.There are some positive steps you can take to get to the interview stage with your next application

Getting Feedback

The first step is to ask why you were not short-listed. Not all employers will be prepared to give feedback to candidates rejected at this stage, but it is worth a try. If you write for feedback, enclose a stamped addressed envelope for ease of reply. If you email, asking direct questions which will make it easier (and quicker) for the employer to respond. For example:

• Did I meet the essential criteria?
• Was my work experience relevant?
• Did I come across as enthusiastic?
• Was it obvious why I applied for the post?

You could also take your application form, together with the job and person specifications for the post in question, to your careers service. An adviser will go through these documents with you in a constructive manner to see if there is room for any improvement.Be realistic. If you honestly feel you did your best and you get feedback that it was a very strong field, then you have to accept this and just keep trying. You will not be the only unsuccessful candidate.

Getting more experience

It is likely that those who were short-listed had more relevant experience than you. How can you go about adding to your experience? Think about work shadowing, work experience or placements. Ask at your careers service and see the information in the Work experience topic on this site.

Some additional information on how to write a successful job application here.