|
|
Office Hours
Home Page
Employment Issues
Pay Issues
Job Hunting
Contract Advice
Job
Seekers
Health
Issues
Online Training
Debts
Useful
Tel Numbers
Useful Links
FAQs
Retraining
Out
of Hours
Holiday Health
Rail Timetable
|
Job
Hunting - Applying For a Job
Here are some hints and tips on how to
go about applying for a job
Application forms
Filling out a job application form can be time consuming and seems a little
old fashioned in this age of the Internet. However, some employers, including
many in the public sector, still insist on it.
An application form allows the employer
to extract more information from you - the applicant than what is possibly
on your CV. It also allows them to spot any employment gaps you may have
in your employment history or any questions you may have left unanswered.
From an employer's point of view, someone who has taken the time to fill
out a form correctly shows a level of commitment and interest.
An employer may file your application
in case of any future vacancies that may crop up and be suitable for you.
However, under the Data Protection Act they are required to keep the information
confidential and may only use the information for recruitment purposes.
When you come to fill in your application
Do:
- Read all the instructions before you
fill in the form. The application form will have been designed to make
life easy for the personnel team who won't waste time trying to work
out where you have gone wrong.
- Take a Photocopy of the form beforehand
and use the copy as a rough draft. You can then take time to draft out
your application concentrating on your best achievements most relevant
to the job you are applying for.
- Write legibly if you cannot type in
the information.
Tips to remember:
- The form should be easy to read
- Your handwriting should be a decent
size and as neat as possible
- You should use black ink not a
pencil- it makes for clearer photocopies at the other end
- You should read your completed
form carefully, checking for grammar and spelling errors and, if
possible get a second opinion from someone
- You should keep a photocopy of
your completed form for your own records
When you come to fill in your application
Don't:
- Leave any questions unanswered - if
a question is not applicable to you then say so
- Include CV as well, unless it has been
requested. However, it may be preferable to include a short covering
letter following some of the above guidelines
- Lie - you will probably be found out
and the employer will never deal with you again. Many employers use
information service companies to check out facts included in application
forms
Covering letters
Your main purpose for writing a covering letter is to get the recruiter
to read your CV. The letter gives you the chance to:
- Demonstrate that you understand the
nature of the advertised job
- Allows you to explain why you want
the job
- Allows you to display your skills and
abilities for the vacancy
While your CV tells the employer about
you, the letter should concentrate on the position and the company. Remember
to fully research the firm, perhaps by visiting its web site, and use
this information to help draft your letter.
The covering letter is your first contact
with a potential future employer and a great chance to market your skills:
Do:
- Include a personalised covering letter
with every CV you send out
- Keep it short and factual - four or
five paragraphs on one side of A4 paper
Tell the recruiter where you saw the ad and include any reference numbers
- Refer to the CV you have attached -
it might go missing and they'll think you haven't sent one
- Tailor it to each specific application
- outline how your experience matches job requirements
- Say why you want the job
- Concentrate on telling employers why
you would be good for the job, rather than why the job would be good
for you
- If the job is in a different sector
from the one to which you have devoted the past ten working years, draw
links between the two
- Try and show that you have done some
research into the organisation already - for example mention that you
have visited their web site
- Include any dates when you might be
unavailable for interview. If you are able to take calls during the
day, then provide a contact number
- Check that you have addressed your
letter to the right person, that you have used the correct job title
and spelt his or her name correctly - there is nothing worse than getting
someone's name wrong
Don't:
- Send out standard covering letters
to different employers
- Underestimate the value of the covering
letter - you can use it to draw attention to your strengths if you feel
you have any weaknesses
Speculative letters
If you are not replying to an advertised
position, it may be worth writing a speculative letter to a company that
you would like to work for if you are not replying to an advertised position.
If this is the case, begin by stating what specific work you are seeking
and say why you want to work for this particular company. Ask for your
CV to be held on file for any vacancies that may come up.
|
|
|
