If you are trying to find a career at a Higher Academic Institution or research body, you'll probably have to fill out a lengthy online application form. This is the scenario even for in house applications. You'll usually be asked to send your CV with the application in addition.
Almost all employers use the same application for each and every job, from teachers to office personnel. You might be requested to submit roughly 12 pages of comprehensive info – several of which might not even appear important to the target job. This could be daunting and lengthy. Nevertheless, the online form is necessary to securing a meeting. Here are some of our strategies on how exactly to use the form to demonstrate your skills and stick out from the crowd:
Consider which segments really matter
Various sections of the form are admin and are only looked over by the human resources department. Employers who rate the application normally center on -
The Career History page – to allow them to measure the significance of your work history
The Personal Statement – which illustrates your determination and delivers proof of your skills and...
The Educational Qualifications and Accolades page – specifically if the position is academic or analysis based
These are the aspects of the application worth investing time on.
Plan your Abilities and Experiences
Prior to undertaking the form, draft a grid with each and every aspect of the individual specification on the left. This should cover qualifications, experience, skills and individual attributes and show which are needed and which are desired for the job. Review the job advertisement, and think about any conversations you have had with the prospecting manager to include anything which you identify to be essential.
Now make a list of what information you have for every one of these requirements. This could possibly cover work duties, key achievements in your latest and past jobs, professional qualifications, research activities, volunteer work and individual hobbies and interests. Make use of a highlighter to highlight the recruiter’s main criteria and those sections of evidence which best exhibit how you meet these. You must make certain that these pieces of evidence are prominently displayed and effectively discussed on the key sections of the application.
Develop your CV initially
You need to personalize the details about your qualifications, work history and hobbies in a way that identifies your appropriateness for the role, using your skills mapping exercise. This is much easier to do in the CV initially. Once you have adapted your CV, you can essentially remove the essential details and duplicate it directly onto the online form.
Adapt your Work History chapter
Whilst tailoring your CV and online application contemplate -
The arrangement of details. The most important elements of your job requirements, for instance, would come first in your job section.
The attributes to include: Your information of job tasks do not have to cover every feature of the role. Simply select the most significant aspects to back up your application and keep the rest out.
The degree of info. An earlier job role which is strongly associated to this post should have a longer description than a more current but less relevant one.
The language applied. See if you can amend your CV to use the same vocabulary from the individual requirements. If the individual specification wants ‘Effective abilities with stakeholders’, then think about using the same terms when explaining your past jobs.
Use Supporting Documents
In case the application doesn't have an area to include some of your information (such as research hobbies and interests, publications or voluntary work) then provide a brief appendix listing. You can refer the employer to this in the supporting document.
If the word count in the Career History or Qualifications sections is insufficient to present your evidence, then check these are well covered in the CV instead and refer the employer towards this.
You should also be cautious not to overwhelm the employer with info however – the clearness of your communication and the skill to argue your case succinctly could also be a part of the selection requirements.
State your Case
It is not enough presenting evidence that you meet the necessary, or perhaps the ideal, aspects of the person requirements. You need to determine what differentiates you from the other likely candidates, and give consideration to what might be your USPs (Unique Selling Points). This may possibly be a specific blend of previous experience, an appropriate diploma or career history that few individuals have, especially strong channels within the division – or whatever else which may very well give you a good edge. Ensure that you showcase these noticeably in your supporting statement. This needs to respond to the question “ OK – but why should we employ you?”
Demonstrate your Passion
Recruiters want to hire individuals who are not only well-qualified, but keen. The Career Motivation request, or in the absence of this, the Supporting Document lets you show off your passion for the position. Discuss clearly what attracts you to this role in this specific sector and (if you are an external applicant) in this organization. Don’t presume this may be noticeable to the employer (e.g. if the job is a promotion, or the institution is highly rated). Connect your motives for applying to your USPs and previous experience where ever feasible as this reinforces your capabilities.
Lastly, end with a statement about how much you are enthusiastic about an opportunity to discuss the position further at an interview.
Useful resources:
How to write a CV guide - http://www.howtowriteacv.guru/how-to-write-a-cv.php
National careers service - https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/Pages/default.aspx
The Guardian careers - http://careers.theguardian.com/career-advice
Prospects careers - http://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers.htm
Almost all employers use the same application for each and every job, from teachers to office personnel. You might be requested to submit roughly 12 pages of comprehensive info – several of which might not even appear important to the target job. This could be daunting and lengthy. Nevertheless, the online form is necessary to securing a meeting. Here are some of our strategies on how exactly to use the form to demonstrate your skills and stick out from the crowd:
Consider which segments really matter
Various sections of the form are admin and are only looked over by the human resources department. Employers who rate the application normally center on -
The Career History page – to allow them to measure the significance of your work history
The Personal Statement – which illustrates your determination and delivers proof of your skills and...
The Educational Qualifications and Accolades page – specifically if the position is academic or analysis based
These are the aspects of the application worth investing time on.
Plan your Abilities and Experiences
Prior to undertaking the form, draft a grid with each and every aspect of the individual specification on the left. This should cover qualifications, experience, skills and individual attributes and show which are needed and which are desired for the job. Review the job advertisement, and think about any conversations you have had with the prospecting manager to include anything which you identify to be essential.
Now make a list of what information you have for every one of these requirements. This could possibly cover work duties, key achievements in your latest and past jobs, professional qualifications, research activities, volunteer work and individual hobbies and interests. Make use of a highlighter to highlight the recruiter’s main criteria and those sections of evidence which best exhibit how you meet these. You must make certain that these pieces of evidence are prominently displayed and effectively discussed on the key sections of the application.
Develop your CV initially
You need to personalize the details about your qualifications, work history and hobbies in a way that identifies your appropriateness for the role, using your skills mapping exercise. This is much easier to do in the CV initially. Once you have adapted your CV, you can essentially remove the essential details and duplicate it directly onto the online form.
Adapt your Work History chapter
Whilst tailoring your CV and online application contemplate -
The arrangement of details. The most important elements of your job requirements, for instance, would come first in your job section.
The attributes to include: Your information of job tasks do not have to cover every feature of the role. Simply select the most significant aspects to back up your application and keep the rest out.
The degree of info. An earlier job role which is strongly associated to this post should have a longer description than a more current but less relevant one.
The language applied. See if you can amend your CV to use the same vocabulary from the individual requirements. If the individual specification wants ‘Effective abilities with stakeholders’, then think about using the same terms when explaining your past jobs.
Use Supporting Documents
In case the application doesn't have an area to include some of your information (such as research hobbies and interests, publications or voluntary work) then provide a brief appendix listing. You can refer the employer to this in the supporting document.
If the word count in the Career History or Qualifications sections is insufficient to present your evidence, then check these are well covered in the CV instead and refer the employer towards this.
You should also be cautious not to overwhelm the employer with info however – the clearness of your communication and the skill to argue your case succinctly could also be a part of the selection requirements.
State your Case
It is not enough presenting evidence that you meet the necessary, or perhaps the ideal, aspects of the person requirements. You need to determine what differentiates you from the other likely candidates, and give consideration to what might be your USPs (Unique Selling Points). This may possibly be a specific blend of previous experience, an appropriate diploma or career history that few individuals have, especially strong channels within the division – or whatever else which may very well give you a good edge. Ensure that you showcase these noticeably in your supporting statement. This needs to respond to the question “ OK – but why should we employ you?”
Demonstrate your Passion
Recruiters want to hire individuals who are not only well-qualified, but keen. The Career Motivation request, or in the absence of this, the Supporting Document lets you show off your passion for the position. Discuss clearly what attracts you to this role in this specific sector and (if you are an external applicant) in this organization. Don’t presume this may be noticeable to the employer (e.g. if the job is a promotion, or the institution is highly rated). Connect your motives for applying to your USPs and previous experience where ever feasible as this reinforces your capabilities.
Lastly, end with a statement about how much you are enthusiastic about an opportunity to discuss the position further at an interview.
Useful resources:
How to write a CV guide - http://www.howtowriteacv.guru/how-to-write-a-cv.php
National careers service - https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/Pages/default.aspx
The Guardian careers - http://careers.theguardian.com/career-advice
Prospects careers - http://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers.htm