The application form
Forget CVs for now.
Most of the jobs you apply for don't want a CV; they want you to fill in an application form. This is because the employer wants to be able to sift applications and compare candidates in a standard format.
- The first thing to do is to write down, on paper rather than on the computer, all the information required for these forms. List your work history, starting with now and working backwards. List your education and qualifications. List your skills and experience. This will save you having to remember it all again for every application.
- If at all possible, take a photocopy (or two) of the form. You are then free to mess one up!
- Read the instructions. Some parts of the form may require block capitals. Don't ignore that, or your application could well be rejected without being read. On the other hand, where it doesn't require capitals, use lower case. If your handwriting is lousy, practise! It might also tell you to use black ink. This is a hangover from the days when photocopiers could only pick up black ink. It doesn't apply now, but if that's what the instructions say, do it.
DON'T LIE. Exaggerations or downright porkies might get you an interview, but you'll be found out. It's not worth it. The paperwork that probably came with the form will specify skills and / or experience essential for the job. If you can't honestly claim most of these then it's not worth applying.
- Work history. You have to start from now and work backwards; but you're unemployed, so what can you say? Put something like "Mar 2009 to present, out of work but". The "but" is vital. If you've been volunteering, say so. If you've taken a course or been on a New Deal or Work Programme scheme, say so. If you've not been working because of domestic responsibilities or some other reason, say so. If none of that applies, put something like "constantly searching for work". Go back through your work record, filling in your employer, your job title and a brief description of what your role was. The form will probably ask your reason for leaving a job. Possible reasons are redundancy and "for improved prospects". If you were sacked, then perhaps "unsuited to the job" will cover it. Account for any gaps in your record. If you don't, they'll assume you were in prison. If you were in prison, you can either say so or put something like "to be discussed at interview". If you've had a large number of jobs you will probably run out of space, but you need to go back at least ten years, so if necessary use a separate sheet of paper to complete the list. More about this additional sheet below.
- Education and qualifications. Don't bother with your primary school (unless, of course, it was an exclusive prep school). Put your secondary school or schools and any certificates you came away with. Then add any further or higher education and resulting qualifications. If your list is looking a bit sparse at this point, never mind.
- References. They usually want two names and addresses, one of which should be your current or last employer. This may not be possible, for all sorts of reasons. If so, just write "last employer not available" (or "not applicable" if you've never worked) and give some other person's name. It will ask for the "status" of these people, which means their profession. You can't put your dad or your best mate as a reference. It has to be someone unrelated to you, of professional or business status, who has known you for at least a couple of years. If you're young, a teacher would be suitable. Previous employers are wary now of giving references beyond a bald statement of when you worked for them and in what capacity. Make sure you ask permission from both your referees before you put their names on the form. It's not usual for employers to take up references until they've decided who to appoint, and it's just to check that you are who you say you are.
- Absences. It's not uncommon to be asked how many days of sickness absence you have had in the last year or two years. Can anyone remember for sure? If it's none, congratulations. If it's a few, make a plausible estimate.
- Why you would be suitable. There is nearly always a space on the form for you to say why you are the best person for the job. Never leave this blank, or with just a few half-hearted lines. This is the place to list all the skills and personal attributes which make you the ideal candidate. Write it out on paper before you commit it to the form, and get someone to check it for errors. You can exaggerate just a bit here. We are all excellent team players with impeccable time-keeping. But try to avoid too many stock phrases. If you need extra space put "continued on separate sheet", get a sheet of plain A4, put your name at the top and then the section of the form you are completing; then continue writing. Staple this additional sheet to the back of the form.
- Other questions. We have come across application forms which contain a detailed health questionnaire, for jobs where this shouldn't matter. They may well be discriminatory, and you might want to query their reasons. There will probably be an "equal ops" form, asking about ethnicity etc. Large-scale employers need this to monitor that they are complying with the law, so don't refuse to fill it in.
The form may say that if you want an acknowledgement that it's been received you should enclose a stamped addressed envelope. It's up to you whether you do so. Otherwise, don't expect any response if you're not short-listed. Even employers who used to send out consoling letters to rejected applicants now don't; they get so many applications that it's too expensive.
The online application
Increasingly you will be asked to submit an application through an online form. It is too easy to click to submit this before you have thoroughly considered and checked it. Take your time and, if necessary, get someone to help you.
Increasingly you will be asked to submit an application through an online form. It is too easy to click to submit this before you have thoroughly considered and checked it. Take your time and, if necessary, get someone to help you.