Hints & Tips for the Application Process
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Transcript of Hints & Tips for the Application Process
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Hints & Tips for the Application Process
Matt Akin – Graduate Programme Adviser
31st October,2012
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Application forms
The purpose of the application form is…
…TO GET AN INTERVIEW!
Why application forms and not CV’s?
• Standardise and manageable quantity of information
• Helps shortlist candidates in a way that is justifiable, fair and rational
• Reduce numbers
THE APPLICATION FORM IS THE MOST COMPETETIVE PART OF THE SELECTION
PROCESS
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Background
• Large firms receive an average of 100 applications for each vacancy
• National average is 37.9 applicants per vacancy
• Selectors spend approximately 90 seconds on each application form received
• 80% of application forms are rejected at the first stage
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The Co-operative
Last year The Co-operative received over 8,000 applications for 30 positions
We invited approximately 250 last year…
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Completing the application form
When completing the application form you need…
• To articulate that you have researched the organisation and understand what you’re applying for
• To draw relevant examples
• To stand out
NB: Try to answer questions using the STAR approach
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Common Reasons for rejection…
• Examples all drawn from same part of your life
• Not enough detail provided
• Vague or irrelevant answers
• No answering all parts of the questions or the form
• Poor spelling and grammar
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Where to pull examples from?
• Education – Group Work, Presentations, Prizes awarded etc..
• Work Experience – Added value, manage team, resolved issues, implemented activities
• Activities & Interests – Raised money, organised events, position of responsibility?
• Extra Curricular activities – Business games or activities, travelling, represented university?
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Quantify personal involvement and results
• NOT ‘We organised a charity fun raising event. It was a great success.’
• BUT ‘I was responsible for the publicity for a fund raising event which involved negotiating advertising with local companies and arranging posters on campus. Our team managed to raise £1000 for charity and over 800 students attended.’
• Use strong language – created, managed, co-ordinated, negotiated.
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Application Form Don’ts
• Write too much or too little, be specific with your answers
• Enclose a CV or extra sheets
• Give vague answers
• Leave chronological gaps with no explanation
• Give false information
• Use jargon, abbreviations or very formal language
• Be careless or untidy
Application Form Do’s
• Read through the whole form first
• Rough draft your answers
• Follow instructions
• Explain discrepancies and gaps in work history
• Complete all sections
• Check spelling and grammar
• Get someone to read over your form
Things not to say…
• Its best for employers that I not work with people
• I have an excellent track record, although im not a horse
• One day, I felt not happy with my colleague about the product project, and I knew that my perspective was more better than her.
• Problems faced: A week before I went to university I discovered my mother was having an affair
• Personal Interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far
• Reason for leaving last job: They insisted that all employees get to work by 8.45 am every morning. Could not work under those conditions
• References: None. I’ve left a path of destruction behind me
Application Golden Rules
• Take your time and prepare well (save and return)
• Keep the tone upbeat and positive
• Be professional
• Use key words – may auto sift
• Take care with presentation
• Use your own words and complete your own form
• Give examples
• Match your abilities with the employer’s needs
• Keep a copy of your form to help prepare for the interview
• Always check it before you submit it
Any questions?
Thank you