Writing Applications

For many of you seeking employment, the written application is often the first formal contact you will have with potential employers. It is vital therefore that you adopt a professional and appropriate approach.

Application talks and DVDs | Develop skills - talks

Use these resources to help you plan your applications. As a start, think about what the employer is asking for and draw up a list of all your recent activities and achievements. These can then be used in your answers as a good source of evidence.

Here are some more tips to help you.

• If you can, make a copy of your blank application form or online form - you can then practice your answers on a draft.
• Read the application thoroughly before you start to fill it in – it is likely that the employer will ask for evidence of experience and skills so make sure you understand what is needed in each section.
• Follow all instructions carefully – if a question asks for a word limit then stick to it. If you disobey instructions you are virtually a non-starter; they will probably assume you cannot pay attention to detail in your work either.
• Consider why the question is being asked – work out what they want to know and make your answer relevant to the question. If a question asks why you are applying for the job, make sure you can give some positive reasons and demonstrate an interest and enthusiasm in the area of work. Leaving out this information will generally be assumed to indicate no real interest in the job.
• Answer all questions in full - leaving boxes blank makes you look inept or lazy. If a question genuinely does not apply to you, say it is not applicable. Leaving blank a box which asks for evidence of a skill or quality is a guarantee of rejection; if you can't answer the question then perhaps you shouldn't be applying. Also, don’t make the mistake of cutting and pasting answers from a previous form as employers can always tell.
• Make clear statements about your relevant skills and experience and present them with supporting evidence. Statements such as ‘I am good at time management’ or ‘I have good communication skills’ need to be supported by examples that show the employer instances in which you applied these skills. Don’t expect employers to read between the lines of an application form or make assumptions about you. Try using STAR - an example is available on the right hand menu.
• Check your grammar, spelling and punctuation - an obvious comment but in a situation where employers are receiving lots of applications, these avoidable errors can be a sure-fire way of hitting the reject pile at an early stage in the selection process. If you can, have someone else proofread your application.
• Hand written forms - Untidy handwriting can spoil the appearance, so take every care and use capital letters and black ink if the instructions ask for it.
• Keep a copy of the completed application form for future reference. When you are invited to an interview you will need to remember what you wrote as the employer will probably use that information as the foundation for their interview questions. Also, your responses can be used again or adjusted for other similar applications, although you must make sure that they are tailored to the position you’re applying for.

Require more information or advice?

What's On

Make use of the What´s On section of our website. We run a number of sessions to help you with applications.

Information Resources - Applications and interviews

We hold a number of books in the library to help you to write applications and CVs.

Contact the Careers Service

Once you have produced your draft application form, why not get it checked at the Careers Service. We offer 15 minute appointments every day. To book, please call 2220910.