PREP

Job adverts are more than just listings; they are a gateway to
understanding what an employer seeks in a potential employee:

• Thorough job description review: Dive deep into the listed duties
  and responsibilities to ensure they align with your expectations.
  This step helps you articulate why you are a strong fit for the
  position and the company during applications and interviews
• Style and language insight: Examine the tone and language of the
  advert. Words like ‘innovative,’ ‘team-oriented,’ or ‘fast-paced’
  give clues about the company culture and the nature of the
  workplace. Matching your application to this style can show
  alignment with the company’s values
• Qualifications and experience requirements: Clearly differentiate
  between essential and preferred qualifications. Tailor your
  application to highlight how your background meets these
  requirements, focusing on direct or transferrable skills for the role
• Understanding desired qualities: Look for specific traits the
  employer desires, such as ‘detail-oriented’ or ‘proactive.’ Consider
  how your own qualities and experiences match these descriptors
  and prepare to demonstrate these traits through concrete
  examples in your application and interviews
• Career advancement opportunities: Assess any mentioned career
  progression paths. This indicates whether the employer values
  ambition and growth, which can be a significant factor if you seek
  long-term engagement with the company
• Practical considerations: Pay attention to logistical details like
  location and salary, ensuring they meet your needs and
  expectations
• Proactive engagement with recruiters: If the advert provides
  contact details for further inquiries, take this opportunity to engage
  proactively. This can give you a preliminary understanding of the
  role and demonstrate your initiative
• Addressing skill gaps: If you identify any skills or experiences you
  lack, consider strategies for acquiring these competencies
  Consulting with career advisors can be beneficial in planning your
  professional development.

NAVIGATING JOB APPLICATION FORMS

Completing job application forms can be a lengthy process compared
to submitting CVs or cover letters, so it’s crucial to allocate ample time
for this task. These forms typically gather standard information but also
serve as a platform to highlight your skills and achievements,
underlining why you are the ideal candidate for the position.

Standard sections in application forms:

• Personal details: Includes your name, contact information, and address
• Employment history: Lists both past and present jobs
• Education and qualifications: Covers everything from secondary
  education to degrees and any professional training you’ve
  undertaken
• Suitability statement: A dedicated space for you to discuss how
  your background aligns with the job specifications
• References: Contact details for professional references

Additional sections:

• Professional associations: Membership details if applicable.
• Criminal convictions: Potential disclosure requirements, which can
  be crucial depending on the role

Addressing personal circumstances:

• Deciding whether to disclose a disability is a personal choice, and
  it’s important to consider how this might be perceived and the
  protections oered by law
• For more information see our guidance on disclosing disabilities

Responding to application questions:

• Questions vary, but the core aim is to assess your fit for the role.
  Preparation is key to providing thoughtful, relevant responses that
  align with the company’s values and the specifics of the job

Person specification responses:

• Focus on demonstrating how you meet the essential and, if
  possible, desirable criteria listed in the job specification. Use
  specific examples to highlight relevant skills, achievements, and
  experiences
• Note any word limits and prioritise responding to essential criteria
  when space is limited

Post-submission:

• Keeping a copy of your application can be helpful for interview
  preparation and future applications.

TYPES OF QUESTIONS ON JOB APPLICATION FORMS

General questions:

Employers often inquire about your personal attributes, interests, and
any leadership roles you’ve held. Your responses should highlight key
skills such as teamwork, communication, project management, and
leadership. Highlight the transferability of these skills across different
sectors.

Competency-based questions:

These questions require you to recount specific instances where you
demonstrated particular skills. For example:

• Resolving conflicts within a team
• Overcoming personal setbacks.
• Demonstrating creativity in problem-solving. When crafting your
  responses, use the STAR structure (situation, task, action, result).

Further information section:

Address why you are applying and what makes you suitable for the job,
focusing on your skills, achievements, and alignment with the
company’s goals. Use these sections to reinforce your interest in the
role and the organisation.

TIPS FOR COMPLETING ONLINE JOB APPLICATION FORMS

• Online guidance: Check for any available online help or written
  guidelines on the employer’s website or job pack.
• Drafting answers: Verify if the form allows you to save and revisit
  your answers. If not, consider drafting them in a separate
  document to ensure accuracy before submission
• Copy and paste: Use copy and paste functions from a word
  processor to avoid errors and save time, but verify the formatting in
  the application form’s text boxes
• Formatting text: Avoid using special characters that might not be
  supported by the form’s text field and check if you can adjust the
  font size if necessary
• Keyword optimisation: Reflect on how to incorporate relevant
  keywords from the job description into your answers, as some
  employers use scanning tools to filter applications based on
  specific terms.

APPLICATION FORM CHECKLIST

• Accuracy and instructions: Follow any specific instructions
  regarding formatting, such as using block capitals or adhering to
  word limits. Accurately place information in the appropriate
  sections and mark sections that do not apply with N/A
• Attention to detail: Take time to review your answers for any
  omissions or errors, particularly when transferring information from
  another document
• Proofreading: Thoroughly check your application for grammatical,
  spelling, and punctuation errors. Be mindful of language settings to
  avoid incorrect autocorrects
• Style and content: Use dynamic verbs to convey your actions and
  achievements. Ensure your responses align with the job
  requirements and make a strong impression
• Final review: Re-read your application, assessing it from an
  employer’s perspective to ensure it makes a compelling case for
  your candidacy. Print and save a copy for review before interviews
• Submission: Only submit your application once you are completely
  satisfied with it and have proofread thoroughly.

When applying for jobs, if you have a disability, you might consider
whether to disclose it and how it might affect your application under
legal protections like the Equality Act (2010). Here’s a streamlined
approach:

• Disclosure decision: You are not obligated to disclose your
  disability. However, informing potential employers enables them to
  make necessary adjustments during the recruitment process and
  upon employment.

• When and how to disclose:
  • Application process: You might disclose through the
    application form, a medical questionnaire, your cover letter, or
    indirectly through a recruitment consultant
  • Pre-interview: Consider the practicalities of your needs at the
    workplace and plan to address them during the interview
  • During the interview: You can choose to discuss your disability,
    focusing on your capabilities and the adjustments you might
    need
  • Post-hire: If not disclosed earlier, you might discuss it once you
    start the job to arrange for necessary accommodations.

• Workplace adjustments: Employers are required to make
  reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities, both
  during the recruitment process and throughout employment.

Disclosing a disability allows you to assess if the workplace is
supportive and inclusive, aligning with your needs and values.

INTERVIEW TIPS

Attending a job interview can be a significant milestone in your career.
Here are some essential tips for any interview:

• Punctuality: Always be on time for your interview
• Communication: Speak clearly and at a moderate pace, and
  remember to smile, as it can convey positivity, even over the phone
• Answering questions: Provide detailed yet concise responses. Stay
  on topic and avoid irrelevant information
• Listening skills: Pay close attention to questions and key
  information, which you might want to reference in your responses
  or follow-up questions
• Prepare questions: Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at
  the end of the interview
• Follow-up: Thank the interviewers for their time and inquire about
  the next steps in the hiring process.

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Interviews vary widely, each type with its own expectations and
preparation strategies

• Face-to-face interviews: These can range from informal chats to
  formal assessments or panel interviews. Key tips include arriving
  on time, dressing appropriately, and engaging positively with
  everyone you meet
• Panel interviews: Involves multiple interviewers. Preparation should
  include researching the panel members, using their names
  appropriately, and managing eye contact evenly across all
  members
• Telephone interviews: Often used for initial screening. Ensure a
  quiet environment, maintain a charged phone, and keep key
  documents handy
• Video interviews: Like face-to-face interviews but conducted via
  platforms like Teams or Zoom. Ensure a professional setting, good
  internet connection, and appropriate attire.

PREPARATION

When aiming to secure the role you desire, keep in mind that the
interview process serves as your chance to present yourself
effectively. Highlight your skills, demonstrate your personality, and
emphasise your preparedness. Adequate preparation not only boosts
your confidence but also inspires confidence in the interviewers.

Top tips for interview preparation:

• Research the organisation: Understand the company’s mission,
  culture, and recent news. This demonstrates your interest and
  preparation
• Request adjustments if needed: If you have a disability, request
  necessary adjustments for the interview process under the
  Equality Act 2010
• Prepare for questions: Anticipate potential questions based on the
  job description and your qualifications
• Plan your questions: Always have thoughtful questions prepared
  for the end of the interview to show engagement
• Manage nerves: Maintain a positive mindset, practice mindfulness
  techniques if necessary, and focus on building rapport rather than
  merely impressing
• Practical preparations: Familiarise yourself with the job’s
  requirements, revisit your CV, and prepare logistical details like
  travel and attire in advance
• Presentation practice: If a presentation is required, practice
  beforehand to ensure clarity and timing.

ANSWERING QUESTIONS

To excel in your interview, you’ll need to understand and prepare
different types of questions. The below is a guide to the sorts of
questions you might get asked but do prepare for the unexpected!

• Competency-based questions: Focus on providing evidence of
  your skills through past experiences, which predict your future
  capabilities. Be ready to discuss how your previous actions reflect
  your ability to handle similar situations in the job you’re applying for
• Strength-based questions: These are used to identify your natural
  abilities and what you genuinely enjoy. This type of questioning
  helps employers understand where you will excel without
  rehearsed answers

Preparing for specific questions:

• Personal insight: Expect questions about your character, such as
  descriptions by friends or critics, and be prepared to discuss your
  strengths and weaknesses
• Professional skills: Be familiar with the job’s required skills and
  ready to discuss specific instances when you’ve demonstrated
  these abilities
• Educational background: You might be asked about your academic
  choices, experiences, and the relevance of your studies to the job
• Work experience: Reflect on challenges and responsibilities in
  previous roles, especially those relevant to the new position
• Hobbies and interests: Be prepared to talk about how your
  personal interests might provide additional skills or insights
  relevant to the job
• Organisational fit: Understand the company’s culture, market
  position, and challenges to discuss how you can contribute to its
  success
• Role-specific questions: Know the job description well and be
  ready to discuss how you handle potential challenges and what
  aspects of the job excite you
• Future aspirations: Articulate where you see yourself in the future
  within the company and in your career

Additional tips:

• Clarification: If a question is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for more
  details
• Pause if needed: If asked a diffcult question, it’s okay to take a
  moment to think about your answer
• Ending the interview: Always have questions ready to ask at the
  end to show your interest and enthusiasm for the role.

WHAT NEXT

After your interview, take time to reflect on the experience. Write down
any tough questions to better prepare for future interviews. It’s
important to be patient while waiting for a response. If you don’t hear
back by the specified date, it’s appropriate to follow up politely after a
week.

If offered the job:

• Express gratitude: Show enthusiasm and thank the employer for
  the offer
• Review the offer: Ensure it meets your expectations. If it differs from
  what was advertised, discuss this politely with the employer
• Request a written offer: Before resigning from your current role,
  ensure you receive the formal job offer in writing.
• Plan your start: Coordinate the start date and any logistical details
  with your new employer.

If rejected:

• Seek feedback: Ask for reasons you might not have been selected
  to improve for next time
• Stay positive: Express appreciation for the opportunity and ask if
  you can apply for future positions

In both cases, use these experiences to refine your approach and
prepare for future opportunities.

REFERENCES

When selecting job references, choose two or three individuals who
can provide an independent and informed perspective on your
qualifications, skills, and work ethic. Ideal referees are typically
previous employers or academic mentors who can substantiate your
professional capabilities and achievements. Here’s how to manage
your references effectively:

Do:

• Always ask if they are willing to provide a reference for you
• Inform them about the job role to help tailor their reference to the
  position
• Collect their full contact details, including name, title, address,
  phone number, and email
• Understand any limitations they might have in providing references,
  such as company policies that restrict the detail they can offer.

Don’t:

• Choose referees who know you only in a personal capacity, such
  as family members, to avoid conflicts of interest
• Use references who are unfamiliar with your work or academic
  performance
• Select former employers who haven’t stayed connected unless
  they are your only option for providing a relevant and favourable
  account of your past work.