Careers & Employability Centre

Successful Application Forms

Autumn 2014

Why do employers use them?

• Set their own priorities

• Level playing field

• Practicality

• To put you off applying?

Why you should welcome them

• Level playing field

• Shows you their priorities

• Gives you the chance to shine

Before you start writing

• Exploration:

•The role

•The employer

•The requirements

• Identify your:

•Strengths

•Weaknesses

•Motivation

• Resources:

• sussex.ac.uk/careers

• prospects.ac.uk

• targetjobs.co.uk

Find your strengths for the job

• Pick a job:

•BT Business Management graduate scheme

•Tate Britain Audio Visual Administrator

•ConSol Trainee Recruiter•Hertfordshire Learning and Organisational Development Officer

• Identify the requirements from the advert

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses

Types of question

Ideal Candidate

Can you do the job?

Will you do the job?

Will you fit in?

Are you eligible?

Life & Educational Information

• Name, contact details

• Education & Qualifications

• Work Experience

• Interests

Are you eligible?

My hobbies include watching

television, computer chess, stamp collecting and walking my 2

spaniels

Motivation questions

• The ‘why?’ questions

• Why do you want to work for us?

• What sets us apart from our competitors?

• Why did you choose this stream/role over others?

• What makes you suitable for this type of business?

• What do you expect to be doing in your first year/as a trainee?

Competency questions

• Tell us about a time when…

•You overcame a difficult problem (outside your studies)

•You persuaded someone to take a different course of action

• What has been the biggest challenge in your life? [disguised]

• Not just narrative

• Use the STAR approach

STAR

• Situation

• Task

• Actions

• Results

Organisational fit questions

• Who would you invite to your ideal dinner party?

• What do you like to do to relax?

• How would a friend describe you?

• How do we compare to our competitors?

• Looking for insights into your personality

The big white space

• Popular with public sector recruiters

• You set the agenda – research and analysis

A few to learn from

Socially as well as challangingly rewarding

I am a computer maniac

Hi, I want 2 get a job with U

Finished eighth in my class of ten

Further support and resources

Booklets and information at sussex.ac.uk/careers

Careers advice 1:1

Just ask!

careers@sussex.ac.uk

01273 678429