Your application form is the gateway to a potential interview. How you present yourself, your experiences and skills will determine the likelihood of securing an interview – and with luck, a job.
As a recruiter I despair at the quality of many application forms I’ve seen over the years. The good news is, it’s relatively easy to improve your application- and significantly increase your chances of making the shortlist. So many are mediocre that it won’t take much to stand out.
Applications can take a long time to do well- so it’s dispiriting when they don’t lead to an interview. I’ll explain how to approach completion of the application form. You’ll learn how best to present your supporting evidence, making you irresistible to those shortlisting.
This post will cover how to research and prepare before you put pen to paper. You’ll discover how to present your transferable skills and experiences so they align with the Person Specification.
The recruiter’s perspective.
Some of you may have been on the recruiter’s side of the table. I have- many times. Frankly, recruiting into vacant posts is a pain in the a**e. For every candidate who may be stressing about what to put in or leave out of the application form and agonising over how long it should be, a recruiter somewhere is cursing that they have:
- To spend too long on the process of shortlisting where it’s hard to tell how candidates meet the criteria in the job spec. It’s not TK Maxx- the recruiter hasn’t got time to rummage for your evidence.
- Wondering why someone has included a 10 page CV as well as a very long application form.
- Despairing of the irrelevant lists of training courses, skills and experiences. Boring!!
- Cursing about poor spelling and grammar.
Hitting the sweet spot
It is a joy, therefore, to be able to select candidates who have read the job details, completed the application form without errors and enclosed a well-constructed, tailored, 2 page CV. Do this and you are well on the way to making the shortlist.
I can guarantee that more than half the applications I receive will hit the shredder as they won’t meet these basic requirements.
Do your research.
Before you put pen to paper, how much do you know about the role you’re applying for?
- Which department is the role in?
- Where does it sit in the organisational structure?
- How is it different to what you’re doing now?
- Who would you report to?
If you take the time and trouble to research each aspect of the role, you will already be doing more than most.
Dig deeper
Let’s assume you’re applying for a role in HE.
- Know what’s going on within HE; politically, strategically, financially. By exploring news items about Higher Education, you’ll quickly get an overview of the issues facing Universities at the current time. (WONKHE, Times Higher, National Press and podcasts are all good sources).
- How are these impacting on the institution you’re applying to?
- The department and role?
- How can you find out more? Especially if you are changing career direction.
Undertaking research will not only enable you to complete a more convincing application, you’ll also feel more confident. You’ll be better prepared for the interview and come across as genuinely interested.
Supporting information
Take the Essential criteria from the Person Specification in order. Provide an example of how you demonstrate each one. Provide tangible quantitative/qualitative examples. Keep your examples succinct and relevant. Use those that relate specifically to the job you’re applying for. You could take the phrases and use the same language that’s in in the person spec. Qualify this with a personal example of how you demonstrate the skill they are looking for. Express this in short sentences in the 3rd person.
Most recruiters will be shortlisting using a form to check for evidence against each criterion. By presenting your information this way it makes it easier to select you. Recruiters love this- it makes their lives so much easier! It will feel as though you’re speaking their language. (You are).
Why do you want the job?
At the end of the supporting information add 1 or 2 sentences explaining why you’re applying. and reflect the research you’ve done.
Being able to convey your enthusiasm will ensure your application stands out. Recruiters respond well to genuinely expressed motivation. They are only human, after all.
