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All the characters in the following case studies had some difficulty with their application forms. Read about what can go wrong, see comments from real employers and understand how you too could improve your technique.

Wayne’s Application

INFORMATION OVERLOAD

Wayne was good at filling in application forms and was keen to do his extensive experience justice. He had trouble fitting in details of all his varied jobs, despite keeping his writing small and neat. He added extra paper to ensure that everything was included.

The employer said: “It is ridiculous to cram in so much tiny writing in order to get all your jobs included. It put me off trying to read it, especially as a lot of his previous jobs had nothing in common with the post. He would have done himself much more favour if he had just highlighted those jobs that were particularly relevant to this position. He could then have indicated that he also had other experience to offer, but just summarised what that was. The whole experience was depressing, as an otherwise good candidate made himself appear a bad judge of how to present himself.”

Wayne’s eagerness to be honest about his background made him list every single job that he had ever had. Bullet points of those that were relevant to the position applied for, either because they were similar companies or because he had been involved with similar work, would have saved space with a sentence at the end saying that he had “had additional experience in other areas of employment and could give further details if required” would have helped his application.


Victoria’s Application

SHOW OFF YOUR ASSETS

Victoria tried very hard with her application form. She felt she would be good at the job concerned but she was also worried about how to sell herself on paper. She spent weeks fretting over the form. She was concerned that she show herself to be an honest person who did not make any claims about her abilities that could not be substantiated.

The employer said: “This form was just boring compared to all the others. She seemed to not really want
the job. Most applicants come over as keen to state their strong points, but Victoria was so low-key that it was hard to find any particular contribution that she thought she could make. Application forms have to work extra hard to make the candidate sound dynamic and significant, otherwise we have no reason to invite them to come and tell us more at interview.”

It is possible to be too honest on an application form. Victoria was so keen not to over-sell herself that she ended up doing just the opposite and leaving the recruiter stone cold in response. Everyone talks up their strengths and describes themselves at their very best when filling in forms. You need to exaggerate your good qualities and boost up your skills and strengths when the only medium through which you can express yourself is a paper application. However, her abilities had to jump off the page compared with those of other people in order for her to be in with a chance. With positive dynamic language and vivid examples of her strengths, the contribution she could make in the job would have become suddenly visible.


Stephen’s Application

LEAD BY EXAMPLES

Stephen knew he could do the job on offer. He had not long left college and the vacancy was perfect for
his skills and personality. The trouble was that he did not have any very relevant experience. He fi lled in the form as best he could, stating his claim that he would be very good in the position.

The employer said: “Unfortunately we could not take the risk of bringing Stephen in to the interview phase of this recruitment exercise. He may have been a great candidate but he did not make a good enough case for his inclusion on his application form. Without any relevant experience since college, we had nothing to go on to take this application further. He said he thought he would be good but gave no examples to illustrate why this was the case. If he had made some links with college activities to the work we do, or if he could have shown how he had picked up his understanding of our work, it may have been different.”

Stephen’s confidence had not translated onto his application form. If there is any reason they might not pick you for interview, you have to work doubly hard to counter this. Stephen knew his lack of relevant experience represented a major gap. He could have made more of what he had done at college or since he left. He could have compensated a little for his lack of directly relevant experience had he projected
himself into the job and described how he would work if given the position. For more information on how to highlight your talents and demonstrate your use to a potential employer, Rebecca Corfield’s book is brimming with insightful advice on all key topics concerning application forms and letters.


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