A job application form is your opportunity to tell us why we should interview you. It is an excellent opportunity for you to create a good impression. Here are 10 tips to help you put together a great job application.
1. Give examples
Keep your comments relevant to the job description and person specification – this allows you to really explain your skills and match them to the job for which you are applying. Give real-life examples to demonstrate how you match the criteria. For example, if the person specification asks for “Ability to recognise and respond to risk” give an example that demonstrates when you have done this really well.
2. Provide relevant information
Keep your information relevant, concise and factual – do not write pages of text. Using bullet points (or the headers in the person specification) may help you to get information across clearly.
3. Be as original as you can
“I am honest and reliable and can work well on my own initiative as well as part of a team” may be true but it is also one of the most over-used statements in recruitment. Remember to use real-life examples to demonstrate you mean what you say!
4. Tell us why you want the job
There is no ‘right’ answer to this question – what we are asking you is why you think you are suitable for the post, so tell us.
5. State your transferrable skills
If the post for which you are applying is different to your work experience, tell us about the skills you have learnt elsewhere and how they will help you in the post.
6. Be clear
Lay out your job application clearly so that it is easy for us to read. Highlight important information.
7. Complete all sections of your job application
It’s important that all sections of the job application form are completed. If you do not do this, it tells us you have not followed the instructions.
8. Look over for mistakes
Check carefully for spelling mistakes or mistyped words – they create a poor impression.
9. Get your job application proofed
Get a friend or family member to read through what you have written.
10. It’s not all about your experience
And lastly … Do not let lack of experience put you off. We do not always look for experience – your potential, ability and approach to the people we support is equally important
A good job application form will get you to interview, a poor one will not. A job application form is your chance to create an impression, so make it a good one!