Sometimes advertisements will ask you not to send a CV, but instead to request an information pack, which will include an application form. On other occasions the sending of your CV may well lead to an application form being sent to you. You must respect the employer’s right to request information in a certain way and to design the selection process as they see fit. It is a necessary part of the selection process, and if you want the job, you must complete the application form to the very best of your ability.
When completing an application form the following rules of thumb are often useful:
- Try to get any supporting information; such as job specification, corporate information and departmental objectives.
- Read the document and then read it again to make sure you understand what they want.
- Follow the completion instructions to the letter.
- Photocopy the form and fill in the copy first, before transferring your details to the original form.
- Use your CV to put relevant, recent information against each question, you should provide them with a match to their requirements.
- Take care with legibility, grammar and spelling, but also think about filling the space well, with white space around clear paragraphs or bullets.
- Use a good quality black pen.
- Always make the most of the “final” large box or the competency questions boxes. The completion of these is what will get you an interview.
- Draft and redraft until you are satisfied.
- Never leave anything blank, put N/A if it is appropriate.
- Never leave a box blank or only completed with the words “see enclosed CV”, they may not want to look at the CVs and would therefore be likely to reject such an application.
- Get a trusted colleague to proof read and edit your completed copy as necessary.
- Keep a photocopy the completed form.
- Unless their instructions forbid it, send a covering letter with the form. Do not fold the form and ensure you post it promptly.