Hints & Tips for the Application Process

1. Hints & Tips for the Application Process Matt Akin – Graduate Programme Adviser 31st October,2012

2. Application forms The purpose of the application form is… …TO GET AN INTERVIEW!

3. Why application forms and not CV’s? • Standardise and manageable quantity of information • Helps shortlist candidates in a way that is justifiable, fair and rational • Reduce numbers THE APPLICATION FORM IS THE MOST COMPETETIVE PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS

4. Background • Large firms receive an average of 100 applications for each vacancy • National average is 37.9 applicants per vacancy • Selectors spend approximately 90 seconds on each application form received • 80% of application forms are rejected at the first stage

5. The Co-operative Last year The Co-operative received over 8,000 applications for 30 positions We invited approximately 250 last year…

6. Completing the application form When completing the application form you need… • To articulate that you have researched the organisation and understand what you’re applying for • To draw relevant examples • To stand out NB: Try to answer questions using the STAR approach

7. Common Reasons for rejection… • Examples all drawn from same part of your life • Not enough detail provided • Vague or irrelevant answers • No answering all parts of the questions or the form • Poor spelling and grammar

8. Where to pull examples from? • Education – Group Work, Presentations, Prizes awarded etc.. • Work Experience – Added value, manage team, resolved issues, implemented activities • Activities & Interests – Raised money, organised events, position of responsibility? • Extra Curricular activities – Business games or activities, travelling, represented university?

9. Quantify personal involvement and results • NOT‘We organised a charity fun raising event. It was a great success.’ • BUT‘I was responsible for the publicity for a fund raising event which involved negotiating advertising with local companies and arranging posters on campus. Our team managed to raise £1000 for charity and over 800 students attended.’ • Use strong language –created, managed, co-ordinated, negotiated.

10. Application Form Don’ts • Write too much or too little, be specific with your answers • Enclose a CV or extra sheets • Give vague answers • Leave chronological gaps with no explanation • Give false information • Use jargon, abbreviations or very formal language • Be careless or untidy

11. Application Form Do’s • Read through the whole form first • Rough draft your answers • Follow instructions • Explain discrepancies and gaps in work history • Complete all sections • Check spelling and grammar • Get someone to read over your form

12. Things not to say… • Its best for employers that I not work with people • I have an excellent track record, although im not a horse • One day, I felt not happy with my colleague about the product project, and I knew that my perspective was more better than her. • Problems faced: A week before I went to university I discovered my mother was having an affair • Personal Interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far • Reason for leaving last job: They insisted that all employees get to work by 8.45 am every morning. Could not work under those conditions • References: None. I’ve left a path of destruction behind me

13. Application Golden Rules • Take your time and prepare well (save and return) • Keep the tone upbeat and positive • Be professional • Use key words – may auto sift • Take care with presentation • Use your own words and complete your own form • Give examples • Match your abilities with the employer’s needs • Keep a copy of your form to help prepare for the interview • Always check it before you submit it

14. Any questions? Thank you