Application Forms
Application forms can be paper based or online and are probably the most common way of applying for a job. There are some basic rules for filling in application forms, such as:
- Ensure that all sections of the form are complete and that there are no gaps or errors
- Check your form to ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors
- Check that you have spelt the name of the employer and the job title correctly
- Give yourself plenty of time
- Keep it relevant - anything which is not part of the job should be added elsewhere or in a Covering Letter
- Ask a friend to check over the content for you - it's easy to miss mistakes
These may seem like basic tips, but many applications are rejected because of basic errors.
Persuading the Employer to Interview you
Persuading the Employer to Interview you
Persuading the Employer to Interview you
Apart from the basics, the most important parts of an application form are the sections where you are invited to write about your skills, knowledge and experience. Some employers use these parts of a form simply to get to know more about you and your strengths. However, many employers are seeking not so much to find out about you, as to find out how you meet set criteria for doing their jobs. This means that you must ensure that you understand what the employer is looking for before you fill in the form as without doing this you are unlikely to secure an interview.
What skills do employers want?
Top 10 skills that will help you get a job when you graduate (Video - 2 minutes)
Speculative Application
Speculative Application
The ‘Speculative Application’
Not all jobs are advertised. When looking for work it’s always a good idea to research organisations and think about who is going to need what you can offer and when. Making a speculative application is asking an organisation whether they have any suitable openings for you – this often works out well so why not give this a go?