1. How to make a standout Application Form

2. What is an application form?
An application allows a prospective employer to ask you exactly what they want to know in order to consider you for a vacancy.
Applications make the recruitment process more efficient for the employer and the use of a simple form makes it easier for employers to find the right candidate for three reasons:
Time saving: The information is presented in a set order and so it saves time rather than searching each CV.
Level playing field: It brings consistency and so it is easier to compare applicants impartially.
Customisation: Each employer can customise the form to their specific criteria, and exclude the information they do not require.

3. Before you start
Try to fill all the space provided for your answers - too much blank space makes an application look half-hearted 
Be informative, detailed but concise in your answers: give the employer the essential detail but leave them wanting to meet you to find out more!
Do a Skill scan: Because application forms are online, they can easily be searched for key points the employer is looking for, so ensure you mirror the language and cover every skill they ask for

4. Before you start
Research the company, the career area and the actual job for which you are applying. Make sure you can offer the qualifications, experience and personal skills that the employer is seeking
Print of a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification
Read the form through and follow all instructions and Use bullet points and spacing correctly to improve readability
My top tip - keep a copy of your answers in MS Word. When it comes to the interview stage, it is immeasurably useful to remember what you have told the employer!

5. How to hit the Criteria
Competency based questions – You need to be able to demonstrate a particular skill/ability in the past and which proves your capability in this area. STAR approach - Situation, Task, Action and Result. It's a bit like a mini essay. The Situation and Task are usually combined and form the introduction, The Action you took, should form the main body of your answer, and the Result should be your

6. How to hit the criteria
The Personal Statement or relevant information –The most important box on the whole form and your best chance to enhance your application. Focus on skills. Be sure to focus on the Person Specification (NOT the Job Description!) given for the vacancy. The person spec is the employer’s summary of what they are looking for in the ideal candidate. You need to match every skill they ask for with a real example, demonstrating where you have used this skill and remember to explain what value you can bring to the company.

7. Finally Wait! Don’t be too hasty in sending off the form.
Always do a final spell check
Follow their rules: If the instructions say include a CV as well, then do; if not, then don’t. The same with a cover letter. If you do it incorrectly, it will count against you.
Attachments: Ensure documents are attached to s
No blanks: Never leave a box empty, this looks sloppy. If it isn’t appropriate for you, then put ‘not applicable’.

8. And Finally
Remember to also check your online presence i.e. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and any other blogs or comments you may written. Either set your privacy settings so no one can find/see them or edit them so they don’t compromise your integrity.
In the end, you need to show the employer that you have really made an effort to understand their requirements and taken time to provide them with the information they want. It is time consuming, but ultimately the time and effort expended will pay off. Once you get into the habit of understanding what’s involved, you’ll find it won’t be long before those interview invitations start arriving