To get that job you want, you need an interview. To get an interview, you need a winning application form!
If you are struggling to secure interviews, it might be a good idea to reassess your application form writing skills to show employers that you’re the person they’re looking for.
A winning application form, as well as a winning CV, can help you to stand out, make a good impression and secure an interview.
In this Blog, the Employment Readiness coaches at Foundations 4 Work take you through the application writing process with hints and tips along the way.
Before you Begin
The two main routes to secure an interview are to submit a CV, or to submit an application form. Some employers might ask for both, so it is a good idea to have both ready before you begin job searching. Here are our tip tips to prepare:-
Read the vacancy carefully, and in full, so that you know how to apply and how to access an application form if needed.
Make a note of the deadline so you know how long you have to complete and submit your application.
Make sure you know how to submit the application. Is it an online form? A document to fill in and return by email? Do they prefer candidates to return application forms by post? Make a note of the email address, online application website address or postal address depending on the instructions.
Stay organised if you're applying for multiple vacancies! By keeping information together, you don't risk sending a completed application form to the wrong employer.
General Tips for Filling in an Application Form
When you are ready to make a start, here are some of our top tips to bear in mind:-
Find somewhere quiet where you will not be distracted.
Present information clearly and neatly.
If typing, save the application often as you proceed through the form, and save it somewhere accessible on your computer so that you can easily find it. There is sometimes a 'save' function on an online application. This ensures you don't lose any of your hard work if there is a technical hitch.
Read the questions carefully so you know exactly what the employer is asking.
Use the job specification to find our what skills and experience the employer is looking for. In our answers, show how your experience relates to the job.
Check for spelling and grammar errors
Ask someone else to proofread your answers for you
Keep a record of what you have written. This will help you if you get invited to an interview to remember what you have said, and it might come in handy for any future applications for similar roles.
Do not leave any areas completely blank. Write N/A if a section or question does not apply.
Tips for Online Forms
Keep a record of your username and password when you first start the application process
Remember to save sections as you go, and take regular screen breaks if you are able to save your progress.
If your lack confidence using a computer, ask someone to help you
Draft your answers on paper first, or a word processing package like Microsoft Word. Using Microsoft Word, for example, will help you to find any spelling mistakes, and to check the word count if there is one.
Tips for Paper Forms
Write clearly. Check to see if the employer has requested for the application to be completed in capital letters, or a certain colour ink.
Keep more than one pen of the same kind at hand so that you application form can be consitent in appearance throughout, even if you run out of ink.
Do a practice application first, either by using a separate notebook or sheet of paper to draft your answers, or by photocopying the application form.
Complete the application form somewhere away from food and drinks. Nothing will spoil an application more than food spills, grease marks or water spots.
Once completed, keep a photocopy of your original form and store it somewhere safe.
How to Highlight Your Skills and Experience
Listing your Previous Employers
Most application forms ask for your employment history, starting with the most recent. A lot of this information will already be on your CV if you have one.
If the employer asks for your key duties/responsibilities, this is a great section to show you're right for the role. Use the job description to match up your experience and skills. For example, if the job description asks for strong experience of IT skills, make sure to add any tasks you undertook in previous jobs that involved the use of IT.
You might be asked your reason for leaving each past role. If you left on bad terms, or have a negative opinion of your past employer, your application forms (or interview) is not the place to voice these opinions. Keep the reason for leaving brief and positive:
to progress in my career
to change the direction for my career
caring responsibilities
redundancy
training
travel
If you have any gaps in your employment history, you can write what you have done with this time, such as raising children, caring for loved ones, retraining, travelling or volunteering for instance.
If you have limited or no job experience, you may wish to seek out a volunteering opportunity in the community while you search for employment. Volunteering is a great way of adding lots of work based skills to your CV.
How to Answer the Main Questions
Application forms usually have two main questions for you to answer in more detail. They might be phrased differently, but they typically ask:-
Tell us About Your Experience That Makes You Suitable for the Role
Why are you applying for the post?
How to Answer 'Tell us About Your Experience That Makes You Suitable for the Role'
In this section, you need to use the job description and your employment history to write your answer. If you can, use each key point in the job description and match it with an experience you have had whilst employed, or volunteering.
For example, a Job description for a home help service might include the requirement:-
· To carry out specific requests from clients with reference to housework chores.
Each point, like the one above, might require more than one skill so read it carefully:-
responding to specific requests from clients
carrying out housework chores
Using this example, an answer might look something like this:-
During my time at (Insert Employer), I regularly prioritised my daily tasks based on the needs and wishes of our clients, which could change at short notice on a regular basis. As a result of my abilty to provide the services that our clients valued, I always received excellent customer feedback.
In addition to carrying out my own housekeeping to a very high standard, I also support my relative by undertaking weekly household tasks that they cannot manage themselves. This allows my relative to live in safety and comfort at home.
The job description will most likely order duties and responsibilities in order of importance, so by working through each point, and drawing on an example, you are more likely to show that you have all of the requirements needed to do the job well, and therefore secure an interview.
How to answer 'Why are you applying for the post?'
This section is your opportunity to show how motivated you are to do the job, and to do it well. To answer it to the best of your ability, you will need:-
The personal specification, or any information in the job description that gives you an idea of what personal attributes an employer is looking for
Any information on the employer's website or social media accounts about the values of the organisation
First of all, write a list of all of the personal attributes that the employer is looking for using the job description and/or personal specification. For example:-
a team player
honesty and integrity
good knowledge of the local area
excellent communication skills
Next, look at the website and/or social media accounts of the employer. Using their 'About Us' page, mission statement, aims or objectives, try and write a list of the difference(s) that the employer wants to achieve as an organisation. Looking at a well known supermarket website, for example, it is easy to find the history of the company and it's founding ethics:-
offering the best value
listening to a diverse range of customers
Some employers might also have a cause close to their heart as part of their corporate social responsibility. This might be an environmental campaign or a specific health or social issue. They may have a 'charity of the year' that they support too, and some larger organisations may have their own Foundation to give grants to the local community. Make a note of this too, and any information about why it means so much to the employer to support their chosen cause.
Starting with the list of personal attributes the employer is looking for, begin your answer by using each one, to provide clear evidence that you have these skill and know how to apply it in real situations. Add further information about what this has taught you.
How to show you have integrity, for example:-
I show integrity in all personal and professional matters. Throughout my employment history I have meticulously followed company guidelines on confidentiality and code of conduct. This taught me the importance of representing a company well based on their unique culture and ethos, and how to build trust with my employer and their customers.
If you do not have any clear examples or experience in one of the personal attributes on your list, try to show how you would approach this in a work setting. For example, 'to be able to use Sage Accounting software' you might say:-
'I have been able to quickly learn how to use Sage Payroll to ensure that wages are paid on time, and accurately. Whilst I have no direct experience of using Sage Accounts, I am confident that I can use my skills and knowledge of Sage to get up to speed with the accounting software to be able to do the job well.'
Next, using the list of aims of the organisation, and any causes they support, write a paragraph to show enthusiastic you are and how your beliefs match with those of the company. This also shows that you a have done our research! Taking the supermarket example, you could say:-
I would be proud to work for an organisation that prides itself on listening to a diverse range of customers to ensure that their experiences and values are heard. Your support of the (insert charity/cause) also makes me enthusiastic to be part of your organisation as it is a cause that i really support (and say how/why you support this cause)
Need Help to Write Your Application Forms?
If you need help to write your CV, learn how to job search, attend interviews with confidence, write application forms and gain work experience all under one roof, chat to our Foundation 4 Work team on 0191 477 8337 or at foundation4work@gmail.com. The team provide free, expert job readiness programmes tailored to your needs in an inclusive, welcoming environment with free resources and your own work boots and high-vis jacket to keep. Find out more about the eligibility criteria, eligibility postcodes and how to join us from just one day per week.
If you live in the North East and you are struggling to afford clothing for interviews, there are two fantastic services that can help.
Gentlemen's Interview Clothing - Suitability
Ladies Interview Clothing - Smartworks
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