APPLICATION FORMS Filling out job application forms can be time consuming and seems a little old fashioned.

However, some employers, including the BBC and many in the public sector, still insist on it. From an employer's point of view, someone taking the time to fill out a lengthy form shows a certain level of commitment and interest on the part of the jobseeker, and allows the employer to e tract more information from the applicant than some people include in their C!s. "t makes it easier, for e ample, for the employer to pick out gaps in employment history or to spot that a bo asking about a criminal record has not been ticked. #mployers may hold your application 'on file' for the purpose of matching you up with any suitable vacancies that may crop up in the future. $nder the %ata &rotection 'ct they are re(uired to keep the information held in your application confidential, and used only for the purpose of recruitment, and for no longer than is necessary. Do:

)ead the instructions before you fill in the form. "t has been designed to make life easy for the personnel team who won't waste time trying to work out where you have gone wrong &hotocopy the form beforehand and use the copy as a rough draft *ake time drafting the section about what you would bring to the job. *his is your chance to shine in only +,, words - you need to be succinct. Concentrate on those achievements that will be most relevant to the job in (uestion .rite legibly if you cannot type in the information. *he form should be easy to read, so keep your handwriting to a decent si/e and don't be afraid to leave some empty space - it looks better and is easier to read - even it if means leaving out that third pri/e you won in the annual sales competition ten years ago $se black ink - it makes for clearer photocopies at the other end )ead your completed form carefully, checking for grammar and spelling errors and, if possible get a second opinion from someone 0eep a photocopy of your completed form for your own records 1eave any (uestions unanswered. "f a (uestion is not applicable to you then say so "nclude a C! as well, unless it has been re(uested. However, a short covering letter following some of the above guidelines is probably worthwhile 1ie - you'll be found out and the employer will probably never deal with you again. 2any employers use information service companies to check out facts included in application forms

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Covering Letters *he main purpose of writing a covering letter is to prompt a recruiter to read your C!. *he letter gives you the chance to demonstrate that you understand the nature of the job

being advertised3 allows you to e plain why you want to work in that area3 and show how your skills and abilities fit the vacancy. .hile your C! tells the employer about you, the letter should concentrate on the position and the company. )emember to fully research the firm, perhaps by visiting its web site, and use this information to help draft your letter. *he covering letter is your first contact with a potential future employer and a great chance to market your skills. Do:

"nclude a personalised covering letter with every C! you send out 0eep it short and factual - four or five paragraphs on one side of '4 paper *ell the recruiter where you saw the ad and include any reference numbers )efer to the C! you have attached - it might go missing and they'll think you haven't sent one *ailor it to each specific application - outline how your e perience matches job re(uirements 5ay why you want the job Concentrate on telling employers why you would be good for the job, rather than why the job would be good for you "f the job is in a different sector from the one to which you have devoted the past ten working years, draw links between the two *ry and show that you have done some research into the organisation already - for e ample mention that you have read the latest annual report or visited their web site. "nclude any dates when you might be unavailable for interview. "f you are able to take calls during the day, then provide a contact number Check that you have addressed your letter to the right person, that you have used the correct job title and spelt his or her name correctly 6ou may wish to state your current salary and your salary e pectations for the job. 5imply send out standard covering letters to different employers $nderestimate the value of the covering letter - you can use it to lift your C! if your e perience is lacking by drawing attention to your strengths

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REFERENCES www.bestsam !eres"me.#om $obsear#%.abo"t.#om res"me&reso"r#e.#om %tt :''www.tota!$obs.#om %tt :''www.#areerb"i!(er.#om