1

Hints & Tips for the Application Process

Matt Akin – Graduate Programme Adviser

31st October,2012

2

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

3

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

4

The Co-operative

Last year The Co-operative received over 8,000 applications for 30 positions

We invited approximately 250 last year…

5

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

6

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

7

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?

8

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.

9

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