1. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 1 Application Forms Master Class Katie Dallison Careers Adviser

2. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 2 Why do companies use them? Enable consistent and transparent selection standards Focus on information that is relevant to the employer Help you figure out if you’re a fit for the job

3. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 3 Important basic rules ALWAYS: –Read everything carefully and answer the question –Do a draft version –Stick to the word count –Take a copy NEVER: –Lie –Substitute a CV for parts of the form

4. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 4 General Layout Personal Details Education – including results Work Experience Skills – linked to key selection criteria Activities and Interests Health and Criminal Convictions References Diversity form

5. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 5

6. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 6

7. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 7 The skills part… Criterion-based questions –Relate competency to the job –Brainstorm examples and choose the best –Write a draft Supporting/personal statements –What you have to offer? What does the employer want to hear? –Why you want it? –Have you done the research?

8. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 8 Figure out what the employer wants to hear Be the employer: 1.Why does this person want to work in this job? 2.Do they match the key criteria I have set for this job? 3.What makes this person unique? 4.Why do they want to work for me?

9. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 9 NHS Management Scheme Impact and Influence: Describe an occasion when you successfully persuaded a group or individual to accept an unpopular course of action or to do something they were reluctant to do. What was the outcome? 100 words

10. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 10 First attempt During the second year of my course I worked part time in a café/bar near to the University. On various occasions I had to use my skills of persuasion to influence the owner of the bar to accept innovative ideas I had about new ways of brining in customers on quiet Wednesday evenings. Often he was reluctant to try out my ideas, such as hosting gigs by student bands. I had to present my arguments clearly and with impact in order to get him to agree to my plans for a trial period. 93 words

11. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 11 Structure your answers S ituation T ask A ction R esult

12. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 12 Second attempt During the second year of my course I worked part time in a café/bar near to the University. I noticed that Wednesday nights were always a bit quiet. I knew a student band who were looking for a venue to perform in and thought that, if we let them do a session it might bring in some more student trade on that night. When I first mentioned the idea to the owner of the bar, he was reluctant, but after I explained the idea in more detail, he agreed to a trial period. The Wednesday evening gigs became very successful. 100 words

13. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 13 Second attempt During the second year of my course I worked part time in a café/bar near to the University. When I first mentioned the idea to the owner of the bar, he was reluctant, but after I explained the idea in more detail, he agreed to a trial period. The Wednesday evening gigs were very successful. I noticed that Wednesday nights were always a bit quiet. I knew a student band who were looking for a venue to perform in and thought that, if we let them do a session it might bring in some more student trade on that night.

14. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 14 Structure your answers Situation Task Actions Why, Where, What Result

15. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 15 Third attempt Working in a café/bar during my second year, I suggested hosting gigs by local bands to increase slow trade on Wednesday evenings. Initially, the manager was concerned about the expense and the hassle. I devised a more detailed plan, proposing that we used amateur student bands who might be willing to perform for free. I also explained how I would use my contacts to publicise the events in the University. I suggested that we try it for six weeks and he agreed. After four weeks we were making enough money to start paying the band and still make a profit. 100 words

16. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 16

17. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 17 The Personal Statement Unless covered elsewhere in the application you should answer: 1.Why this job? 2.Why this organisation? 3.How you fit the person/job description

18. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 18 Motivation questions Why do you want this job? Why this company? Talk about the past – initial interest, research, reality testing Be specific – stories, examples Don’t parrot back website information Talk about the future – your plans and goals

19. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 19 Negative questions What is your biggest weakness? Outline a time when you failed Explain situation truthfully Don’t make excuses/whine What have you learnt from the experience Finish positively – no experience is bad

20. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 20 Top Tips Talk about I – make it specific to you Simple Language Don’t clutter your answers – less is sometimes more Tell the employer what they want to hear Focus on the action – what you did Spell check!

21. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 21 Further support www.careers.qmul.ac.uk –Online and books in the Careers Service –How to complete an application form –We can check applications for you www.careers.lon.ac.uk/sortit –Implementing and Self Marketing www.prospects.ac.uk –Jobs & Work → Applications & Interviews

22. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 22 How we can help Mock Interviews CV Clinics Job boards and folders Advice Open Monday – Friday 10.30 – 5pm (4pm on Friday) Drop in sessions Monday - Thursday 10.30 – 12.30 and 2 – 4.30