The initial stage of applying for most jobs is likely to be a written application, normally in the format of an application form or cover letter. As daunting as these may first appear, they are nothing to be afraid of. If done right, they can be a great opportunity to put across all of your skills to an employer or recruiter and make a good first impression. So we have put together some application top tips to help you master your applications!

Being organised when it comes to applications is the first step to success, so the first piece of advice is know your deadlines!

When applying for jobs on a large scale, such as apprenticeship or graduate schemes, it’s helpful to have a calendar so that you can note down all of the deadlines and visually see them. It has certainly helped the Honest Team to stop deadlines creeping up on us!

Knowing your deadlines will ensure that you give yourself enough time to put together a strong application. Until you’ve completed a few applications, it can be difficult to know just how much time it can take to pen the best application, but you will see much more success if you have enough time to tailor your CV to the specific role and proof read your work. It is also important to allow some extra time in case anything goes wrong. This is particularly true for online applications. Don’t let last minute IT nightmares ruin your chances of securing that job!

Many applications now have a number of competency questions which will require you to give examples of skills you have used or how you have managed a particular situation. It’s important not to rush these questions so that you can ensure your response is relevant to the role.

This leads on to our next tip and certainly one that has helped during my active job hunts: Completing applications in a Word document. And what I mean by this is drafting your responses in a Word document rather than directly into the online form. Not only will this allow you to take your time and ensure your response is on point, but it also means that once you have nailed your answers, you can spell check your work and then save the document for future use. It’s very likely that you will be asked the same question on a number of applications and this will save you some time along the way.

When leaving school, not everyone has work experience but remember that this includes both paid and unpaid experience, and it does not have to be connected to the role you are applying for. All you have to do is show how your experience may help you, in the role you are applying for. For example, if you are on the football or netball team, you can demonstrate qualities of team work, leadership and a winning mindset. And if you don’t have any work experience, take the opportunity to find some. It doesn’t have to be a part-time job throughout school, it can be a Saturday here and there, or a few days from your holidays.

Top hacks:

  1. Always read the job description - the employer will be looking for key words which are usually included in the description. Look for how they describe the qualities they require and use them in your application.
  2. Know the company - do a little bit of research, there’s bound to be a question about why you want to work for this company so show you have a reason.
  3. Keep your response to the point- you probably won’t have a high word count so get your point across as briefly as possible without losing out on the detail you might need.
  4. Be aware of US English language – if you plan to use the Word document, be aware of American words, and avoid them as often as you can. For example ‘organized’ or ‘center’ these words won’t always be picked up by spellcheck so be sure to check yourself.
  5. Talk about your hobbies and interests – if you see this question come up, don’t be afraid of what it means. It’s an opportunity to be yourself and that’s what the employer wants. It’s hard to get to know someone through a form but you can show your personality here so please always write something genuine and true to you.

Whilst it is important to make sure that the content of your application is relevant, it is also important to think about the tone of your application – how it sounds. Your application will help the employer to develop their first impression of you as a candidate, so make sure that your application is as friendly and professional as you would be in person.

The structure of your application can be equally as important. Try to make sure that your application or cover letter is structured in a way that makes sense and is easy to read. A good structure will make it easier for employers to focus on why you will be the best person for the job. If there is a word count, stick to it!

Finally, read through your application before you push that ‘submit’ button. Spelling and grammar are easy to forget when you are busy trying to squeeze in all of your best attributes, but mistakes in spelling and grammar can easily cost you the job as they can show a lack of attention to detail. Make sure to run a spell check on your application before you click submit. If possible, print out a copy to read through; this can sometimes help you to spot mistakes that you may have missed on screen. And don’t be afraid to ask someone to read it through for you, ask a friend or anyone that is supporting you.

Now it’s up to you, best of luck with that winning application. You’ve got this!

Jasmine Shell
@HonestVoiceUK