You really want the job so why is filling in the application form such a
drag?

At first glance they might fill you with dread but there are benefits: the set questions mean you are unlikely to miss out any key information and sell yourself short; the process is good practice for describing yourself succinctly; and lastly let’s be honest, there’s nothing as bad as a blank sheet of paper!

You probably won’t be asked to fill out an application form too often in media sales, however, here’s our list of top tips to take frustration out of the application and help you stand out from the crowd.

Allow plenty of time

Application forms are not something to be left until the night before the final posting date. It’s easy to think you can just ‘bash it out’ as you’re only answering a few questions… rarely so. Think you might just transcribe your CV into the various boxes… highly optimistic.

Start the form at least one week before it’s due and allow yourself a good few hours to get the first draft done. It is best to get feedback on your draft from a tutor or boss so allow plenty of time for this too before you need to get the final application submitted.

If you don’t leave yourself enough time to do a good job, you wont be able to… and you’ll kick yourself for it. Probably as soon as you read the next tip…

Photocopy the blank form

…hmmm, no late night copy shops around?

Before you start, make SEVERAL photocopies of the form to use as practice, and then put the original away somewhere safe (trust us, there is no way you can neatly Tippex out a coffee mug ring).

Once you get started on your practice run(s) you will realise that you actually can’t remember the last time you wrote something using a pen and hand rather than a PC and keyboard: it may take a number of attempts to find your handwriting again, somewhere legible between “3 year old” and “GP” is preferable.

Read the form

Read the whole form through a couple of times so you are clear about the information needed for each question and/or section. Really read it, read it out loud if needs be.

Pick out any questions that have similarities, e.g. you may be asked for skills AND for personal qualities separately.  There may be a number of what are called ‘competency based questions’ where you need to demonstrate a skill required in the job from personal experience; make a note of them and plan out these answers together to avoid repetition and to overall present the best complete picture of yourself – for example, let one answer showcase your negotiation skills, and another, your time management or team leading abilities.

Look for specific instructions and follow them TO THE LETTER: applications that do not follow instructions are often dumped and rightly so – if you aren’t making an effort with the application, what will you be like in the job?

Get yourself organised: collate all your information sources before you start – CV, exam certificates etc – it might take longer to find them than you think. Do you need to send a photo? If you don’t have a recent photo, get a new one done. Steaming that moody teen-angst photo off your old bus pass will not do you any favours.

Dark blue biro is not black ink, nor is a brown felt tip pen. If it says black ink, it means black ink. Beg or borrow a good pen that doesn’t leak or blot, don’t make do.

Draft, draft and draft again!

You should expect to write several drafts as your application will improve with practice.

The basics:

• Unless otherwise stated, employment and education history goes in reverse chronological order.
• Be honest. Any omissions about health issues or your employment history will come back to bite you, just ‘fess up.
• If there is a qualification you lack, don't just ignore it, explain why your other experience or know-how is of equal value.
• Don’t leave any answers blank - if a section isn’t relevant, write ‘not applicable’ in the space and if it isn’t obvious why, think about adding a short qualifying statement.
• Two references are ideal – one professional (from a vacation job or work experience, not your parole officer) and one personal (preferably a tutor rather than a family friend or ex-girlfriend). Ask your referees for permission, “who?” is not the character endorsement you’re looking for.
• Read your answers – are you definitely answering the question being asked, or the one you want to answer?

Sell yourself

This form is the only opportunity that you will definitely get to let your potential employer know you're the one. Only use positive language and where possible try to get your personality to shine through.

Don’t fill out the form assuming that the employer is just looking for basic information and the interview is the time to show off your zingy personality. If your application is dull, passionless and lacking any point of difference, you’re not even going to get that interview.

Read the job description / advertisement numerous times whilst writing your answers, ensuring you are always focussed on providing the most relevant information. Also try to read between the lines of the job spec and think how you can highlight other personal qualities that would be useful for the job.

For example, a telesales job may talk about the call targets you have to meet but not say that you need to be highly self-motivated and driven. If you haven’t done telesales before you can’t prove you can hit call targets, but other jobs or college projects may give a perfect example of your ability to motivate yourself and reach agreed goals.

Don’t set yourself up for a fall

Demonstrate the skills and experience that are asked for using concrete examples – not woolly or vague descriptions – describe the situation, your role and actions, and the resulting successes. If you’re lost for words, read that job description again and echo what you read there.

Even if you reckon you're the world’s best blagger, don’t ‘borrow’ someone else’s story making yourself the central character when you were actually a bystander, you’ll be asked to elaborate at interview: guppy-impressions and blank stares aren’t particularly successful responses; nerves get the better of all of us when we’re telling the gospel truth, let alone when we’re perhaps extending it a little.

Oh, and NEVER try to take full credit for the achievements of a whole team… it’s the most naïve blooper ever.

Less is definitely more

Look at the space available for an answer: it’s more than just a job application; it’s a fiendish puzzle! The space you’re given to say what you need to say is unlikely to be adequate on your first or even third attempt and writing sideways up the margin isn’t a good look.

In this instance, however frustrating, the employer is always right. You might think a space is too small but it is the amount of detail that the employer wants. Think of ways to condense information:

• use bullet points rather than complete sentences
• make every word really count – if you are ‘good at forming strategy’ can you be a ‘strategist’ and save a few valuable words?
• re-read that job spec again and edit back to include only what is 100% relevant for the specific job, however interesting your other skills or experience may be

Don’t reduce the size of your handwriting too much, loads of tiny words are irritatingly hard to read and create a bad impression.

Equally, do not feel under pressure to fill a space. You could destroy the impact of a short, clean statement by following it with a load of waffle.

Take time to get it right

Your final draft should be 100% correct, with no typos and no grammatical errors, with all answers written in the Queen’s English (not txtspk or some pseudo-gangsta style), in handwriting of a similar size, using the correct pen…

Check it, get someone else to check it, and then check it again; then writing up the actual application is just a calm copying process.

Before you start writing each answer, read through what you are about to write and make a mental note of hard-to-spell words, how much room you used on your draft, and GO SLOW. So often we’ve heard people lament that their final draft was so much better than the actual application as they got bored or impatient and were complacent.

When finished, take a copy of your completed form – you don’t want to forget what you’ve written if you get to the interview stage.

The right send off

ALWAYS include a brief cover letter, it shows care and attention. At worst, it will be disregarded or binned but at least it’s the employer making that decision not you.

Refer to the vacancy and where you saw it; keep it very brief unless you are asked to put particular information in the letter itself. Use the letter to remind the reader how you match the key requirements of the job but don’t regurgitate half of your application!

Only attach a copy of your CV or other supporting information if it has been specifically requested.

Double check you have enclosed any other documents that have been requested. If you are sending photocopies of qualifications, make sure they are clear and of good quality. Don’t send originals, you just give the recipient hassle doing the copying for themselves and making sure they’re sent back to you.

Make sure you use a large envelope so you don’t have to fold the form, and obviously post well before the deadline.