Application Forms
Your completed application form is your first chance to impress upon an employer that you are worthy of further consideration. Application forms can be seen as intimidating with lots of questions and lots of empty white spaces to be filled but they are designed for a reason.
Resource Tool:Employers design application forms with a purpose in mind. If an employer gives you a small space to comment on school qualifications then that is a good indication of how important they view what you did at school. The opposite however is also true a large space asking about work experience means the employer feels this is very important. Small spaces equals short answers, long spaces equals long answers.
Typical Sections
Personal Information
Name, address, educational qualifications, work experience etc., names/addresses of referees etc
Competency Questions
We all dread these open ended questions such as ‘Give an example of…’ ‘ Why do you…’ Usually there’s lots of white space to be filled so the employer attaches great importance to the answers to these questions. You must think about your answer carefully.
The employer here is trying to find out about you.
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What motivates you?
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Why are you choosing this career?
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Why this company
Do you have the necessary skills (e.g. technical skills, communication skills, teamwork skills, problem solving skills etc) and importantly can you demonstrate this with real examples of things you have done?
These questions are not easy to answer and will take time but your answers are crucial and could be the deciding factor as to whether or not you go forward to the next stage of the selection process. The work you put in to answering these questions will help you if you get to the interview stage because these are exactly the sort of questions you are likely to face at interview.
Completing the Form
Read the form and any accompanying notes/literature thoroughly before even attempting to complete the form.
Company information and application form briefing notes can really help you when it comes to answering those ‘hard‘ competency questions
Make photocopies of the form so that you can write practice answers and ensure that your answers fit into the spaces provided neatly and clearly
Make sure you follow any instructions for completing the form (e.g. use black ink, use block capitals etc.)
Presentation is so important so ensure that the completed form is neat and legible. Take the time to ensure that your handwriting is neat and easy to read.
Check spelling and grammar (and get someone else to as well) on your practice form before you start to complete the real thing.
Photocopy the completed form (you’ll need to remember at interview exactly what you put in the form and also it will help when you have to complete other forms)
Use an envelope large enough for you to put in the form unfolded (it looks better than one that has been folded/creased several times
Further Resources
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Select Simulator is a simulation of a typical on-line application process but with explanations, advice and tips at every stage
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Download our Application Forms information leaflet
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Download a blank Standard Application Form to practice with
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'Making Applications' (AGCAS Booklet in the Careers Information Room)
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'Making Wizard Applications' (Just the Job Handbooks in the Careers Information Room)
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The 'Job Hunting' folder in the Careers Information Room has information on completing application forms.