Job Applications

Getting a Job:

So, you know you would be a whizz at the actual job, but you can explain it on paper about as well as you can swim the English Channel…

The gateway to getting across how great you are on your job application form is your writing skills and your mastery of the English language. How can the employer know what wonderful experience you have and what excellent skills you have learned from it, if they are bored or confused within the first few seconds of reading - or worse - if you haven’t actually written about it?

Don’t panic - You’re not alone, and you certainly shouldn’t let this hold you back. You’re only up against people facing the same problem - to varying degrees admittedly – however the point is you’re not alone. And you can do something about it to put you above the rest.

Job application form structures vary enormously, however they have one thing in common:

They all want to know about your skills, knowledge, experience and qualities. If you know how these are defined, they will help you organise how you talk about yourself, make sure there is nothing you have missed, and help start you off. Because let’s be honest, some of the main difficulties in writing is how to actually start off.

Skills

This is anything you can do well, that you have learned.
For example: silver service, horse-riding, skiing, and being able to speak French. This can also include talents (things you’re more naturally good at, like singing).

Knowledge

This is information that you know. It can be facts, the way things work, or the theory behind certain practices.

For example: Knowledge of the computer system that schools use to manage their students’ information, knowledge of relevant government strategies, knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

Experience

Relevant things you have done before – usually practical experience.
For example: Experience being on reception, experience working with children, experience designing graphics, experience working in a team. It is usually important to specify if the experience was paid or unpaid.

Qualities

These are good aspects of your personality, nature and demeanour. They can also be things you enjoy.

For example being composed, understanding, honest, enthusiastic etc. Also your body language and how you come across in general (e.g. I am talkative and enjoy meeting new people).

Most application forms include an open opportunity for you to write freely about yourself.

We will call this a personal statement, but it can be called anything really. This is for any extra things you haven’t already said – anything you think will help give your application a boost by giving the employer good picture of what you’re about. This is your opportunity to sell yourself.

For a start, if you leave this blank we know exactly where the problem is. Leaving this blank makes you look boring. There is nothing more to it.

Most people seem to struggle with starting this off. Well, you don’t need to introduce yourself, that’s for sure (they already know who you are as it’s on the application form!) Try to fill it up, but don’t waffle.

Ways to start off the personal statement include:

Since completing my course in…
I strongly believe that my skills in ….. will be paramount to the success of this role because….
Having recently acquired strong skills in ……

The easiest thing to talk about is what you know. The thing you know the most is you!

Don’t be afraid to sound big-headed. Job applications are a totally different style of writing and you are expected to be trying to sell yourself. The hardest thing is having the confidence in saying ‘I have amazing skills at….’ Or ‘I have had enormous success in…’ but if you replaced ‘I’ with the name of someone else it wouldn’t feel so strange would it?! So just remember the only difference is that you’re writing about yourself.

So there you have it, job applications are easy if you can just sit down and get the words out…

For more information and help with interview skills and job application writing skills check back regularly for an update on my consultancy service. Alternatively contact me on the email address below for information. I am keen to build a service around what you want, so any feedback is valuable.

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