CAREER MANAGEMENT SKILLS PROGRAMME

Session 4: Application Forms

Julie BlantDeputy Director, Postgraduate Careers Service

Application Forms

Why do employers use application forms?

• recruitment can be a costly exercise for employers

• application forms allow them to structure the initial part of recruitment in line with their needs

• they can ask specific questions about how competent you are in the skills and qualities they require

• they can reject applicants that do not meet their specified criteria

• They are not fun! But that’s the point – how else does an organisation prevent thousands of unwanted applications?

Types of application forms

• Employer Application Form - for a specific employer

• Standard Application Form- a standard skills based form sometimes used by graduate recruiters

• Online Applications- increasingly used

• Some employers use scanning software to score applications

Some questions…..

• What skills and qualities would you bring to the post you are applying for?

• Describe a difficult problem that you have solved. Say what you did and what your solution was. What other approaches could you have taken?

• Tell us about your personal interests and achievements

Some questions…..

Please give details of your main extra curricula activities andinterests, what you contribute and what you get out of them in eachcase, indicate the level to which the activity has been pursued, anyposition of responsibility you hold or have held and any noticeableachievements.

Answer:I like walking, politics, economics and debating. I have read aboutChinese history too.

Excerpt from unsuccessful application – Northern Foods.

More…..

• Write about when you worked with people from differing backgrounds to accomplish an important result

• Describe a situation where you have led a group of people. What did you do to achieve a good result?

• What are your 3 key strengths and weaknesses?

• Why have you applied to us? How do you see your career developing?

• Is there anything else you would like to tell us in support of your application?

How to tackle REALLY difficult forms

1.Ask yourself WHY they are asking you that specific question: look at the candidate profile.

2.What do they really need to know? Be analytical about your skills: show what you have learnt about the skill.

3.Start by brainstorming and noting what makes a successful team and what is the purpose or aim of any team...or what steps are involved in a logical decision, or what makes a leader successful...vital to do this FIRST

How to tackle REALLY difficult forms

4.Use fewer descriptive phrases which only tell the reader what happened on that specific occasion and which do not demonstrate your ability to transfer the skill or competence to other situations

5.The employer requires you to analyse how you approached the situation and NOT just to describe your actions

How to tackle REALLY difficult forms

6. Only NOW think of a true & relevant scenario which you can use to demonstrate that you have acquired and developed the skill or competence, and to the level the employer is seeking.

7. Use plenty of ACTION words: organised, supervised, managed, negotiated, planned, motivated, budgeted, prioritised, achieved, developed, directed, marketed, analysed, evaluated, audited,researched...

Use the STAR approach

For competency based questions i.e.teamwork, problem solving, leadership:

• S ituation• T ell• A ctions• R esults

Some tips…...

• Employers have a person spec (their wish list) to compare you to

• They are looking for evidence that you meet their requirements

• Your examples can be from academic study, work, your personal interests

• Many applicants do not give enough detail - employers expect you to fill the space they provide!

More tips….

• Show evidence using strong examples

• NEVER send a CV instead

• Be confident, upbeat, truthful, concise

• Draft answers on a photocopy, check spelling & grammar. If online download first.

• Keep a copy of final version

The Golden Rules...

• Read all literature sent together with the application form before you write anything

• Take a copy and draft replies to prevent crossings out and insertions on the ‘real thing’

• Use appropriate language (business-like)

• Note all instructions e.g. block capitals, black ink

The Golden Rules...

• Check spelling and grammar:

My experient at uni has enable me to work with other people, as well as on my own. I have considered my academic decipline and all my experience in order to decid this particular career. My experience in the word of commerce has also been a contributory factor.

Excerpt from unsuccessful application – Northern Foods.

Useful Website from GTI

• On-Line application form training tool.

• Based on 100+ graduate recruiters’forms.

• Save your data for use later in real applications.

Go to: http://selectsimulator.com

Help with Applications

• www.prospects.ac.uk

• www.doctorjob.com

• Just the Job Handbook – reference copies in Resource Room (A34)

• Always check an employer’s website for hints/tips/guidelines

• Me!

Any Questions?

Next Week: Effective CVs & Covering Letters

Julie BlantPostgraduate Careers Adviser

julie.blant@nottingham.ac.uk