Filling A Job Application Form

For some advertised jobs, you need to know about filling in a job application form. You may be asked to contact the employer to get a copy of the application form in the first instance, but if you need to fill in an application form to apply for the job, whether it's online or on paper, these are the main things to think about.

Many recruiters also ask graduates to apply using a standard application form so that they can compare candidates on a like-with-like basis by considering their approach to and completion of an identical form. They also use the form as part of your ongoing personnel record if you are offered a job. And don't forget that you will always be asked to sign the form to verify the truth and accuracy of information submitted, so don't lie on an application form - it will eventually be found out and you will lose your job.

Here are some tips on filling in the job application form:

• always check and comply with the instructions for filling in the application form
• take care to spell the name of the company correctly
• prepare a rough draft of the application form first and then transfer the information to the actual form (paper forms)
• re-read the job advert and make sure your information is relevant
• answer ALL of the questions and fill in ALL of the boxes
• don't ignore or omit any gaps in your employment history; say what you were doing during that time
• include all relevant skills even if they are from outside work
• ask someone to check your job application form before you send it

Competence Based Questions

Some recruiters use an application form (on paper or online) made up of competency-based questions. These ask the applicant to provide detailed answers, based on personal experience, to demonstrate a skill required in the job. Others may use a general description of the required competence and expect you to demonstrate the competence within your personal statement.

Before you respond, consider whether the question is closed, asking for specific, quantifiable information, or whether it is open and you can decide the direction of your response. What they want is an example of a situation where you used the competence, stating what happened, what actions you took and what was the outcome.

There is often a word limit attached to the answer because the prospective employer is looking for a clear and succinct answer. For this question you should try to think about the STAR:

• Outline the Situation;
• Explain what the Task involved
• Describe your Actions
• Define the Result

Personal Statements

Most job application forms will require you to complete a personal statement in support of your application. You might be asked to give your reasons for applying and anything else you consider to be relevant to the job specification, including your knowledge, skills and experience.

Some forms just have a big blank page which says something like "Please add your reasons for applying for this job or attach your CV".

NEVER leave this page blank, and ALWAYS attach your CV as well.

*A job specification is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job indicating duties, responsibilities, the degree of authority of the function, and the required knowledge, experience and personal attributes of the postholder.

Typical Questions You May See To Support Your Application

1. With reference to the job description please use this section of the job application form to fully demonstrate the extent to which your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific requirements of the role.

2. In no more than 250 words, please outline any situations you have encountered that allowed you to demonstrate a meticulous attention to detail in process, and illustrated your commitment to working to a consistently high standard.

3. This role involves managing the sometimes conflicting requirements of two senior manager's administration, and that of their teams. Please give us examples of how you have ensured the delivery of a smooth operational and administrative service at a senior management level, balancing any conflicting demands, within your current role and / or a previous role.(max 300 words)

Your personal statement should relate directly to the specifications of the job or course you are applying for. It is important that you address all the points in the job specification in the order in which they appear. Imagine this job application form being used as a checklist by the person short-listing.

With your job application form there will usually be the main requirements related to the job specification and include:

1. AIMS OF THE JOB
2. MAIN DUTIES
3. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
4. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
5. COMPETENCIES which may include descriptions like this:

Planning and organising - able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources.

Communication - able to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.

Managing relationships and team workin - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.

Resilience - manages personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.

Flexibility - adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements

When you think about it, you have everything you need to make an exceptional job application because they have told you exactly what they want to know about you which makes your job much easier as you fill in the job application form.

Address each point on the job specification in a clearly themed paragraph:

• In your first sentence you might make a short statement summarising how you meet or relate to the requirement.
• The next few sentences should provide a tangible example of the claim you have just made.
• A final sentence that shows more consideration of the event will add depth to the point you’re making.

Before Sending The Application Form

• When you think you have completed the job application form fully and correctly, ask someone to check through it as you often fail to spot your own mistakes.

  Keep a copy of your job application form and job advertisement details because you will need them for your interview preparation.

For some advertised jobs, you need to know about filling in a job application form. You may be asked to contact the employer to get a copy of the application form in the first instance, but if you need to fill in an application form to apply for the job, these are the main things to think about. Get this right and the rest is easy.

Career Options When you consider your Career Options, what you really must do is to take into account all of your achievements that you have achieved in your career, but not just that, you must also take into account everything that you would have wished you had achieved.

Cover Letter Examples The free cover letter examples and free cover letter writing report on this page will get you started by showing you how to write your own cover letters that will bring more invitations to interviews, with winning results, meaning more job offers.

Return to Cover Letters or go back to the Your Career Change Home Page

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