Welcome to my 4th blog for National Careers Week.
As we all know, completing application forms for jobs is often a time consuming task, that many people struggle with. If you are applying for jobs, get a head start with my useful 'Do's' and 'Don'ts':
DO Put down your whole employment history, including any gaps, with explanations for those gaps
DON'T Criticise any former employers
DO put everything in a positive way, rather than a negative way, especially if it asks you to say why you left a previous job. e.g 'Left to gain experience of working in a larger company' rather than 'I didn't like working in a small company'
DO make sure you include any qualifications taken at work or in your spare time, as well as qualifications gained at school, college or university
DO make full use of the section where you have to say why you are suitable for the job: take your time and plan it carefully. This is the section that will get you the job
DO make sure you reference all the points in the person specification, showing how you meet that specification
DO use concrete examples of where you have achieved relevant tasks or where you have received positive feedback
DO use bullet points for ease of reading
DON'T waffle-keep everything to the point and concise
DON'T hold back at promoting yourself and your achievements
DO your research and find out as much as you can about the company you are applying to and use this information in your application
DO make sure your references are up to date
DO make sure you contact your references before sending off the application, to make sure they know you are using them as a referee
DO get somebody else to look over your application form before you send it off
FOR HELP WITH CV'S LOOK OUT FOR MY NEXT BLOG!
,