Applying for a job is often easy to do, but can be hard to do right. We have some advice that can help you get to grips with applying for jobs.
The CV or Curriculum Vitae is the most common method of applying for a job and it is very important to make sure you have one. Your CV should:
- be neat, typed if possible and to the best standard you can achieve in content and layout
- be short, two sides of a sheet of A4 paper is normally enough
- be positive, it should emphasise your achievements, strengths, successes and how you have contributed to your employers making a profit (add figures to support facts whenever you can and use positive action words, for example: ‘consulting’, ‘negotiating’, ‘managing’ and so on)
- make a good impression, this means presenting the facts about yourself in a clear and positive way
There is no set format for a CV. How you present it is up to you. However, you should include at least the following:
- your name
- your address
- your phone number
- your email address (if you have one)
- your career history
- Put your most recent job first and include dates. Employers will be more interested in what you have done recently.
- Don’t leave gaps between dates, because employers will want to know what you did during those periods.
If you don’t have much work experience, you could include temporary, holiday, part-time or voluntary jobs too. If you’ve had many different jobs, emphasise the skills and experience you have gained across those jobs (for example, skills in dealing with customers or communication skills).
Some job adverts will ask you to fill in an application form. You may need to contact the employer to get a copy of the application form, though some are filled in online. Here are some tips on filling in application forms:
- always check the instructions for filling in the application form - for example: whether you have to write in capitals or fill in the form in black ink only
- spell the name of the company correctly
- prepare a draft of the application form and then transfer the information to the actual form - if you’re filling it in by hand
- read over the job advert again and make sure the information you include on the form is relevant
- answer all questions and fill in all the boxes
- if there are gaps in your employment history say what you were doing during that time - for example: bringing up your children or working as a volunteer for a charity
- include skills that you have developed outside work
- ask a friend or relative to check your application form before you send it
This information should get you started but if you still want more you can go to the Useful links section where you will find links to a range of very helpful sites which will go into more detailed and specific instructions for applying for your dream job.
It doesn't matter what method you use to apply for work, there is always help at hand, and a huge amount of information that can help you apply for work properly.
