• Preparation
• Completing the form
• Online applications
• Application resources

Before completing the form

• Take a photocopy of the form, if possible.
• Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to complete the form and are not hurrying through it at the last minute.
• Read it through to ensure that you are clear about the kind of information that the employer requires.
• Collect together all the information you can about the employer - job description, person specification, brochure, web site etc. - and identify what they are looking for (skills, experience, qualifications etc.)
• Put together any evidence you have to show that you meet the employer's requirements. Don't ignore any part of your experience that you could bring in, such as: your course, work experience, voluntary activities and interests.
• Decide where you will put this information on the application form; in most cases this will be obvious but make sure that you put it where it will make the most impact.
• Pay particular attention to the questions about specific skills or where you are asked to describe your suitability for the job. These are looked at very carefully by employers and carry the most weight in the final decision.

Two of the main reasons that employers reject application forms are: a. poor spelling and grammar; b. not answering the questions.

Completing the form

• Give careful thought to the presentation. Complete a photocopy of the form in rough first, so that you are sure that all your information will fit into the spaces provided.
• Make sure that you obey the instructions; e.g. many employers specify the use of black ink or upper case throughout.
• Pay attention to your spelling and grammar throughout; many employers will automatically reject candidates who are weak in these areas.
• Get someone to read your rough copy - someone else will quickly notice mistakes that you have missed or occasions where you have not made yourself clear.
• You may want to discuss your application form with a careers adviser.
• Make the best of yourself but be honest: you may be required to talk at interview about what you have written.
• Students with health or disability issues may have concerns about disclosing this information on an application form. Read more about disclosure here.

After completing the form

Put together a short covering letter to send out with the application form. This letter enables you to set the scene for the employer and to reinforce your key strengths and reasons for applying for the job. It also allows you to deal with any issues that you were unable to deal with sufficiently on the form itself, for example, health matters, poor exam results, or international qualifications where more explanation is needed.

• Remember: Many employers will reject applications if there is no covering letter OR if the covering letter has poor spelling and grammar.
• Make a copy of your completed form so that if you are called for interview, you can quickly go over what you said about yourself and prepare for the interview more effectively.
• Be prepared to contact the employer to check on the progress of your application if the closing date passes and you hear nothing from them for several weeks.

>>Further information on online application forms
>>More application resources
>>Help with applications for postgraduate study