Application forms

 

Larger graduate employers very often ask you to complete an application form instead of submitting a resume. Get some tips on what to expect, how to answer the tricky questions - and how to make your application effective.

What to expect
Answering questions
Application form tips
Online applications
Want more help?

What to expect

Some employers will post you an application form to complete. Increasingly, however, you'll be asked to find your application form on the employer's website, and to submit it by email or online. Generally speaking, the rules for submitting either paper or online applications are the same.

As with any stage of the selection process, it is essential that you understand what the employer's expectations are before starting and that you do what they ask. For example, don't attach your resume to your application form if the employer has specifically asked you not to do so.

Many application forms only ask you for standard data, like your Australian residency status, education, work experience history, computer skills, etc. Most of these details can be transferred straight from your resume. Other application forms can include more tricky questions.

Answering questions

Some application forms include a handful of questions, each one accompanied by an ominously large box to fill in! With a bit of preparation, these questions are a great opportunity for you to describe your potential or sell your skills - and get yourself an interview.

There are two types of questions:

1. Questions asking for more details, eg. about your involvement in extra-curricular activities, or about leadership positions you have held in the past, etc etc.
   
   
2. Questions like 'Why are you applying to us?' or 'Please add additional information you feel will benefit your application.'

These questions are similar to what you will be asked in a face-to-face interview. The same rules apply - answer every question, giving as full an answer as possible. Clearly indicate if your answer has run on to an additional page (if you're applying on paper).

Make sure that your response is well thought out and relevant. Use examples that demonstrate where and how you've used the specific knowledge, skills and experience that this particular employer is looking for in graduate recruits. If you're not sure what these are, then it's probably time to do a bit more research into the organisation and position you're applying for.

Avoid telling employers you're applying to them because they are a well-known company with an impressive-sounding graduate scheme. They already know this. Your background research on the employer will help you to say something more original.

Application form tips

Print out or make a copy of the application form so you can use it to draft rough answers, before you type up your final application.

Make sure your hand written application form is legible. Preferably you should type your application, but at the very least neatly print or handwrite your responses in black ink.

Keep a copy of your completed application form. You'll need it to prepare for the interview you'll (hopefully) now have. It's your responsibility to send in your application so that it arrives before the due date. It is also your responsibility to check that it has arrived safely.

Online applications

New technologies can cause technical problems, and sometimes applicants have difficulty submitting their application forms. Here are some suggestions that can prevent difficulties:

• Check whether you can save your work-in-progress online and return to it later. If not, make sure you have plenty of time to complete a good quality application. Use the cut and paste facility to save time.
  
  
• Follow all the instructions carefully. Don't hesitate to phone or email the employer if you're experiencing technical difficulties that you think are located at their website.
  
  
• Try to submit your application before the closing date. On the closing date there are likely to be a lot of people trying to submit theirs at the same time as you.

Want more help?

Resources available from the UTS: Careers Service:

• 'Resumes that get shortlisted', Jim Brighton & Joanne Earl (book)
• 'Creating a Successful Resume', Max Eggert (book)
• Resume resources online (Search 'Resumes & Applications' in the Careers Resource Centre database on the UTS: Careers Service web site.)