MAKING EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS Tim Reed Careers Advisory Service /

Introduction n What application methods are there? n When are they used? n What should they contain? n What makes a good application? n Who do you send them to? n Do you need a covering letter?

Application methods n Employer’s Application Form (EAF) n Employer’s Online Application n Standard Application Form (SAF) n Curriculum Vitae (CV) n Others (?)

Employer’s Application Form n Contents – up to employer n Common concerns (A-level grades, alternative qualifications, Nationality, Age) n Skills-based questions – see: n Attaching a CV n References

Online Applications n Same as paper applications n May include a test n Better forms n Some poorer forms n Steps n Web CVs n See

The CV n Content – up to you! n A marketing tool n A4 - sized application n Flexible & targeted n Stylized: Chronological/Skills-based n Different in other countries

When is a CV used? n As the main tool for on-spec applications n When it is requested by an employer n In support of other application information n Never without a letter n via /as as attachment n When your Referee needs more info

What makes a good application? n Well-researched n Targeted n Accurate (content, speling, grammar) n Informative n Interesting n Easy to read n Enthusiastic

Personal power words created instructed analyzed produced negotiated designed calculated maintained administered controlled reviewed observed consolidated delivered founded increased studied invented supplied detected programmed recommended distributed developed solved prepared installed selected arranged formulated solved started

Who to send your Application to n Named company representative n Director/Manager of Personnel n Referees n ANYONE ELSE WHO ASKS FOR IT eg. Recruitment agencies, Postgraduate courses, Sponsorship/Funding bodies

What about the covering letter? n One side of good quality A4 paper n Formal/conventional layout n Addressed to a named person n State position applied for & where advertised n Explain why you are applying n Convince the reader of your interest & suitability (egs!) n Give dates when available/can start n Sign off “Yours sincerely” (if sent to named person)

Jane Andrews 33 Local Street Canterbury CT2 8AE 4 th December 2010 Ms Verity Wise Placement Recruitment Manager Sheffield Childrens NHS Foundation Trust Western Bank Sheffield S10 2TH Job Reference Number (state this if it is mentioned in the advert) Dear Ms. Wise I am writing in response to your advertisement for a one-year placement student from July 2011 which I found on the University of Kent vacancy database. I enclose my CV for your consideration. I first became interested in working with disabled children while still at school. One of my closest friends suffered from an extreme form of dyspraxia and I would often help him with writing and other physical tasks. Since then I have volunteered at the Alzheimer’s Day Care Centre in Canterbury supporting patients and their families. Through my degree course, I have been able to develop my skills in a wide range of academic areas. I am competent in the use of statistics, both their calculation and interpretation. I have strong IT skills and am able to research using a diversity of databases and spreadsheets. I have also been able to utilise my skills in working with people in many ways. My time in the United States shows I am able to adapt to new environments and while working there I appreciated the importance of using empathy and listening skills when dealing with very young children. I will be available for interview if required at your convenience. I can be contacted at my university address (above) and look forward to hearing from you. Yours Sincerely Jane Andrews

Further Information n AGCAS & CAS Booklets: Making Applications n Starting Points leaflet “Application Forms” n CAS Reference Files (013 series) n Quick Queries at the CAS n Reference Books (eg. “CVs & Applications”) n CAS Website n DVD “Your job’s online” n Applications & Interviews section on Prospects website

Recap – you now know about …. n Different application methods n When they are used n What they should contain n What makes a good application n Who you send them to n Covering letters n Further info from the CAS

MAKING EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS Tim Reed Careers Advisory Service /