Step 6 Winning application forms Producing a professional application to secure an interview takes time, but it is vital. Many companies use an online application form to recruit and forms are often designed to be efficient for both you, the candidate and the recruiter. Generally, most will require your contact information, education and previous employment details and sometimes to complete online ability tests. Some forms ask you to answer a couple of specific application questions and most have a longer section, a personal statement, asking you to demonstrate how your experience and skills match the person specification for the job you are applying to. This is the most important part of the form, your chance to persuade the employer that you are suited to them and the role, so target the evidence and details you provide in this application to the role you are applying for Tips for the Personal Statement in an application form: ■
Ensure that you read any instructions in the personal statement section as organisations may have slightly different requirements.
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If it is a free text section you will need to address each section of the person specification, providing examples of how you have demonstrated each of the skills they require.
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You will need to target the evidence and details that you provide to the job and company you are applying to and echo the language used in the job advertisement, on the website or in the job description.
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Check the wordcount (and use it) and then draft the personal statement in Word first so you can copy and paste it in after doing a spell check.
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Produce a clear and professionally written statement that is logical and easy to read, and like a CV, avoid slang, jargon or abbreviations.
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Use bullet points, writing information that is concise and to the point. No waffle!
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Write your examples in the STAR format – see STAR diagram.
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As well as addressing the person specification points, include why you want the job and information to show you are keen and understand what the job is and what the organisation does.
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Make an appointment with a Faculty Employability Adviser to check your first personal statement at least.
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T
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SITUATION
TASK
ACTION
RESULT
Introduce the situation to the employer and set the context
Describe the task you had to complete, including the expectations and challenges it would involve
Explain what you did and how you did it
End with the results of your efforts, including accomplishments, rewards and impact
Self Reflective Activity Are there opportunitioes at your own organisation for secondments? Do you know the process for applying for one?
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