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Posted on: 16/05/2012 11:05.
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Completing the Form

Now you've got all the necessary information together, it's time to tackle the form itself. 

If possible, allow yourself several hours, and expect to have to come back to it.  The first page of any application form usually asks for personal details and the next sections often follow:

Education

Present your qualifications in a way which displays your best results prominently, for instance, by listing your highest grades of each set of examinations at the top of each list. Write down your qualifications in reverse chronological order i.e. the most recent first.

Some forms ask you to give your UCAS points, and if this is not easy for you to do, because of the qualifications you have studied, contact the employer to confirm how to proceed.

Employment/Work Experience

Use reverse chronological order for your list, unless the instructions on the form ask you to do otherwise. When writing about what you did in each job, describe your duties and responsibilities bearing in mind any links you can make with the skills the employer is asking for. Include information about voluntary work too.

Make the most of this section by drawing attention to particular achievements you have experienced at work.

If you have insufficient space for all your jobs, group similar jobs together or summarise your experience.

Interests/Responsibilities

Include what you have gained from your leisure interests and make sure you refer to any responsibilities you have undertaken in connection with your hobbies e.g. Vice Captain of the university netball team, course representative.

Bring out any relevant skills which will be useful in the job. Are there any other achievements you have experienced in other aspects of your life which you could include here too?

Disclosing Disability

Some application forms ask you if you consider yourself to be disabled. Visit the equal opportunities section of www.prospects.ac.uk for information about factors to consider about disclosing diability.

Application Form top tips

• Make several copies of the original form on which to practise.
• Read through the entire form before you write anything.
• Follow any instructions, e.g. write in black ink, continue on a separate sheet.
• Don't cram too much text into a small space, or write only a couple of lines in a box obviously meant for more. 
• Use short sentences, paragraphs or bullet points.
• Check spelling and grammar.  Don't waffle.  Stick to what is relevant and never tell lies.
• Keep to the word limit given.
• Never leave a section blank unless it is obviously inappropriate to you.  'Not applicable' or a line through it is a good idea.
• Don't enclose your CV, unless asked to do so, and make sure any attachments have your name on them. 
• Keep a copy of your form.  It will be essential at the interview stage.
• Take advantage of the Careers Service!

Covering Letter

If you are sending your completed application form through the post or as an attachment, it is a good idea to include a covering letter, particularly if there is something relevant to your application that is not covered on the form.

Including a covering letter also gives you the chance to draw out some of the key information provided in your application form, and expand on why you are a suitable candidate and why you want to work for the organisation.  See our section on covering letters for information on how to write and present a covering letter.

Obviously, if you are completing your form online, where there is no mechanism to send a letter, you do not usually have this option, and do not send a letter if you are explicitly asked not to do this.

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