Some jobs require you to fill in an application rather than sending in your CV. Different workplaces have different types of application forms. Some are short and to the point, often requesting similar information to what you will have on your CV. Others are more in depth or have questions relating to the specific job.
It
is really important that if an employer asks you to fill in an
application form you do, do not submit your CV instead unless they offer
that option. It is unlikely they will consider you for the job if you do not apply how they ask you to.
Inside the application pack:
When
you request an application pack it will often include a Job
Description, Person Specification and some more information about the
company you are applying to. It is really important to
look at all of these things before you attempt the application form, as
you need to show the employer on the form why you are the best person
for that job. If you don’t fully understand what the job is, that will be impossible.
Job Description
A job description is a detailed description of what tasks you would need to complete in the job you are applying for. It
is really important to read it thoroughly, often a job title gives you
very little information about what a job will actually involve so
reading this document will help you decide if it is a job you can see
yourself doing.
Being
familiar with the job description will also mean that you can answer
the application form more fully and make sure that the employer can see
that you fully understand what the job involves.
Person Specification
This document describes the person they want to give the job to. It tells you the skills, qualifications and experience they want that person to have. Often the different things are separated into “Essential” and “Desirable”, showing which things are most important to them.
The person specification allows you to show exactly why you are the right person for the job. Some employers use it like a checklist when reading applications to see if you have ticked all the criteria. So it is really important to highlight on your application form if you have the skills they have asked for.
Don’t panic if they are looking for something you don’t have, use it to your advantage. For
example, if they say they want someone to have experience of Sage
computer programmes and you do not have that experience, say something
like “Although I do not have any experience of Sage programmes, I am a
fast learner and have adapted well to new software in the past.” But stick to the truth, claiming to be really good at adapting to new software is only useful if you are good at it!
Filling in the application:
By Hand
If
you are filling in an application form in your own writing it is really
important to make a photocopy first and practice on that one. It’s really easy to make mistakes and using too much Tipex will make your application look messy.
Once you’ve completed your practice copy, get a friend or family member to check it over for spelling mistakes or other errors. When you’re happy with it copy it across onto the original copy. But make sure you take your time to avoid mistakes!
On Computer
Sometimes employers will email you the application form to complete and email back. This can make life a lot easier as you can make as many mistakes as you like and delete and fix them before you email it back.
However, just because you used spell check does not mean you haven’t made a mistake!! Please, please make sure you check it carefully and, if possible, get someone else to check it over too.
Online
There are some jobs where you can only apply online. The
majority of these jobs allow you to save your application and return to
it later so that it does not all have to be done in one sitting.
It is a good idea to type your answers into a word processing document and copy and paste them into the online application. That way you can use spell check! But, as said above, make sure you check and double check for mistakes.
Using
a word processing document also means that you can save a copy which is
a really good idea, so that if you get an interview, you can look back
at your application before had to remind yourself what you said. It
also means that if you apply for a similar job with that company in the
future it will make applying quicker and easier as some of your answers
may be the same.
There is lots of advice online on the Directgov website about applying for jobs. If you do need any further help you can visit us or Contact Us.