© Career Development and Employment Service 1 Effective Application forms Department of Student...

© Career Development and Employment Service

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Effective Application forms

Department of Student Services


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Learning Outcome

To provide guidelines for completing forms

To prepare students for what to expect from application forms

To give examples of questions to help students to gain practise

To highlight the competencies employers require and to explore ways of providing appropriate examples



When might you use an application form?

Department of Student Services 3


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Application forms are used by most large graduate recruiters in order to:

Assess whether you meet the job and person specifications

Enable employers to see that you have the appropriate competencies

To ensure that everyone is assessed on the same criteria



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Preparation

Find out as much about the job as you can

Find out as much about the company as you can

Think about the examples from your experience that will enable you to demonstrate your competencies in the most persuasive way.

Make sure you are familiar with, and understand the job description



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What are Employers Looking For?

In addition to skills based competencies, employers may take other considerations in to account:

Relevant experience

Outstanding achievement

Strength of argument/coherence

Professional and persuasive style

Overall visual effect



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Did You Know…..?

Application forms commonly go direct to the bin because of ….

spelling and grammar mistake

failing to follow instructions on the form

having incorrect information in the form e.g. mentioning the wrong job title and the wrong organisation (caution with cutting and pasting!)



Most forms have standard content:

Personal details Education and qualifications Employment details Skills/business awareness/careers related questions or..

Personal statement Interests and activities References



in addition, they may ask for:

Equal opportunities monitoring information e.g ethnicity, disability

Health questions

Criminal record information

Declaration – signature to say that the information provided is true and complete – giving false information can be used as grounds for dismissal!



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On Line Applications

Most large companies will use on-line application forms

Sites usually operate by use of a password – which allows you to return to the site

Stick to any word count – if there is no word count then keep your answers brief and to the point

Print out the form (if possible) and use as a draft

If possible, draft the answers in Word then cut and paste – this allows spell check

Some sites allow you to upload your CV - ensure information given in the application form and on your CV is consistent.



Completing Application Forms

Personal Details, Education and Employment

This is factual information and is relatively straightforward

Most information can be copied from your CV You may have to explain any obvious gaps in your

education or employment



Skills, business awareness and careers related questions Questions may appear strange or irrelevant – it is the

process that is important and the way that you demonstrate you have the required competencies

Questions may contact several parts- make sure you address each part

These questions require time and thought – try them in rough and ask a Careers Consultant to check them

To answer questions you should draw on personal, academic and professional experiences



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Did You Know…..?

Sainsburys state that they reject two thirds of applicants because they have found it difficult to make the link between personal experiences and competencies required



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Competency Related Questions

Describe a specific situation when you needed to co-operate with others to solve a problem. What did you do? Vauxhall

Describe a time when you have successfully solved a challenging problem or overcome a difficult situation using your initiative. In your answer we will be looking for clear evidence of Problem Solving/Commercial Judgement. HSBC Summer internship Scheme



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Business Awareness Questions

What do you see as the key issues facing the food retailing industry? Morrisons Graduate Scheme

Given current circumstances what steps could be taken to address the issues Barclays face and why would you recommend these? Barclays graduate training scheme



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Careers Related Questions

Why have you applied for this job?

Why do you want to work in this field?

Tell us what steps you have taken to clarify your career choice. What other careers are you considering? Arcadia Group

What attracts you to a career in the retail fashion industry? Arcadia Group



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Constructing Answers

Use a combination of academic, work experience and personal activities in your answers

Demonstrate that you have the skills and personal qualities an employer is looking for

Make sure you answer the question

Use STAR (Scene, Task, Action, Results)



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Constructing your Answers - STAR

Scene/scenario – what was the situation?

Tasks – what needed to be done?

Action – what did you do and why?

Result – what was the outcome?

And something about you – e.g. what you learned,what skills you developed



Personal Statement“Please use this space to give us any extra information to support your application”

Public sector organisations and small and medium sized enterprises often use a person specification as part of their selection process

Application forms are usually accompanied with a person specification , a list of criteria that you are required to match whilst writing your personal statement



Personal Statement It is vital that you demonstrate how you match each of

the essential criteria and as many of the desirable criterion as possible

You must give examples to demonstrate the skills and experiences that you are required to have.

Make use of subheadings and shorter paragraphs to organise your personal statement and make it easier to read!



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References

Usually need 2 or 3

Not a family member – academic tutor, employer, voluntary work supervisor

Check with referees first



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Checklist

Take a copy of the form for practise

Read thoroughly and follow all instructions carefully

Use formal language and get somebody to proof read it

Keep a copy of the completed form for your own reference

Do NOT send CV instead

Break text into paragraphs and /or use headings

Get a Careers Consultant to advise you on your completed application form


© Career Development and Employment Service 1 Effective Application forms Department of Student...

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