Some employers require you to fill in an application form in place of a CV, to aid their selection process. By using a consistent set of criteria laid out in an application form, the employer can make a clear and fair distinction between potential candidates. Government departments and charitable organisations generally require application forms to be completed and if they don't select you for interview on that particular occasion, they may well ask if they can keep your form on record, so this type of application can often have a longer shelf life than a CV.
Anyone who has come across an application form in the past will know that they require quite a significant investment of time and effort, which is another reason employers like to use them - they put off the less committed. Completion of a form of this type will display a level of dedication that the employer is looking for, and the structure and nature of the questions are aimed at ensuring they only get the most relevant information out of you.
As with writing a CV and a covering letter, there are numerous right and wrong ways of completing an application form. The ones we think are the most important are listed below:
- It is becoming more common for employers to accept the submission of electronic application forms which means you can save a copy, fill it out and edit it as many times as you like until you're happy with it (as well as benefiting from spell check!). If you're required to complete a printed copy however, take at least one photocopy and do a test run - this way you can amend it and get a friend to check it over for you before committing your pen to the final copy.
- It sound obvious, but make sure you read the instructions and the questions very carefully before writing your responses - failing to do so will get your form committed to the bin in seconds.
- Select your most pertinent skills and experience and present these as clearly as possible - always re-read the question to make sure you aren't filling the response box with less relevant material. When completing an application form, less is definitely more. Don't worry about leaving blank spaces - they will add clarity and make the form easier to read.
- The personal statement is generally the most feared element of the application form. This is the part of the form that you will need to invest most of your time in and the part that will best showcase your personal qualities. Again, draft this out and edit it before committing it to the final version. The form will usually give you a guide as to the number of words, so make sure you don't get carried away and write too much - this will go against you.
- As with all applications, check for spelling and grammar mistakes and always get the completed form reviewed by a fresh pair of eyes - they will almost certainly pick up mistakes you have missed and can provide some useful, constructive criticism.
- Don't forget to keep a copy of your completed form - you will need to review what you have written if you are called for interview.
- Always be honest - as with your CV, it will do you no favours to lie and if you get as far as interview stage, any exaggerations will usually be picked up.
- Finally, don't include a copy of your CV or covering letter unless they have been specifically requested - they will only be binned. A well completed application form will provide all the information an employer needs.
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