Tips on Preparing the Perfect Job Application

The Best Applications Get the Job

Jan 19, 2009 Patricia Faulhaber

In today's tight job market, job applications have to be completed perfectly. The following tips will help job seekers turn in the perfect application form.

The news about today’s job market is that more layoffs are imminent. The jobs that are available are receiving hundreds of applicants. With such tight competition, how does one application or resume make it to the top over all of the others?

Application forms have to be in perfect order to get reviewed by employers. The tips below will help new job seekers complete noticeable, job winning application forms.

Preparing for the Application Form

1. Before applying for a job, it is helpful to research the company and the job positions offered by the company.
2. Gather all of the information and paperwork that a company may ask for when applying for a job and take them when applying. Information such as a driver’s license, social security card or a resume are standard items that employers would ask for when filling out an application.
3. Other information to bring along includes names, addresses and phone numbers of previous employers and supervisors, salary history and references.
4. Determine goals and objectives for obtaining a particular job along with a plan to meet the goals.
5. Develop statements in terms of benefits to the company. For example, “My Lean Manufacturing successes would contribute to ABCD Company’s efforts to maintain Lean practices while saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in production waste. My past Lean projects have saved my previous company over $200,000”.
6. Develop statements to address questions about team work, public speaking, professional development, communication skills, social skills, and supervisory skills.
7. Keep statements short and to the point.

Completing the Perfect Application Form

1. Always arrive a few minutes early to complete an application.
2. Read all of the instructions thoroughly and carefully. Applications are organized differently and often ask for different types of information.
3. Be prepared for all types of applications. Some are one sheet, some are multi-page. Others may be bad copies of applications while others will be crisp, clear original versions.
4. Some companies allow applicants to take the application home to complete and when that happens, applicants can use a typewriter to print the information on the application. In most cases, applicants have to write out the information and if that is the case, use the best and neatest handwriting.
5. Tailor the answers on the application to the job. Focus experience and education and training to the job being applied for.
6. Answer every question or fill in every blank.
7. Keep all answers and information on the positive side including reasons for leaving previous employers.
8. Keep all answers to questions short and to the point.
9. Only include a salary history when asked on the application.
10. Keep all of the information on the job application consistent with a resume.
11. Double check all of the information provided on the application before turning it in.
12. Proofread. Make sure spelling and grammar are correct on all answers.

Completing Written Sections of the Job Application

Many applications will ask questions that require written responses. When writing out such answers follow the tips below:

1. When the question asks for a brief summary of recreational activities, club memberships, or community associations, keep the answers brief in one or two sentences.
2. When filling in clubs or community involvement, answer with those clubs and organizations that would highlight skills and ability related to the job.
3. Watch for the words ‘current’ and ‘past’. Fill in each area appropriately.
4. Always use present tense when answering questions. For example, “I worked for ABCD Company as a specialist for three years”.
5. Always answer honestly and without exaggeration.

The Best Application Form Needs Preplanning, Organizating and Taking Time

To achieve the perfect job application form and improve the chances of getting an interview, preplan answers to various questions, organize personal information that may be requested and take time when filling out the application so that all questions are completed honestly and neatly.

The copyright of the article Tips on Preparing the Perfect Job Application in Career Advice is owned by Patricia Faulhaber. Permission to republish Tips on Preparing the Perfect Job Application in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Tips for the Perfect Job Application

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