City where you live, November 3, 2008
Your Adress
(Your Cellphone Number)
Director of Human Resources
Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta
Jl. Laksda Adi Sucipto
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Dear Sir or Madam,
As a recent graduate of Tourism Academy AMPTA Yogyakarta, Indonesia with job training experience in the Front Office Department, I am very interested as a receptionist at your hotel. You will see from the enclosed resume that I offer the skills and experience you seek.
As a Hotel major, I had been positioned as receptionist, bellboy, operator and waiter in Bumi Karsa Hotel Jakarta, Hotel Imperial Bali during my job training..
The enclosed resume will provide you with more details of my background. I would be very happy to have the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my background and qualifications could be of use to your Front Office Department team. Please feel free to contact me by phone (+6281234567890) or at the address above. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Read More..
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Simple CV for Tourism Job
Your Name,
Your Adress
Cell phone Number: +6281328123456
EDUCATION
Tourism Academy AMPTA Yogyakarta
Graduated as The best graduate at 2008
GPA: 3,75
COURSES
Mandarin Language: Expert Level
Japan Language: Beginner Level
Accounting: Medium Level
WORK EXPERIENCE
1998 - 1999
On The Job Training at Bumi Karsa Hotel Jakarta as a bellboy,operator and receptionist staff
On The Job Training at Imperial Hotel Bali as a receptionist staff
ACTIVITIES
As a marketing staff at Prada Management
As a vocalist at Bintang band {event band, wedding party, reguler hotel and café} since 2001 until now
SKILLS
Language: Fluent in English and Mandarin.
INTERESTS
Musically inclined (guest contact, singing and playing guitar)
Read More..
Your Adress
Cell phone Number: +6281328123456
EDUCATION
Tourism Academy AMPTA Yogyakarta
Graduated as The best graduate at 2008
GPA: 3,75
COURSES
Mandarin Language: Expert Level
Japan Language: Beginner Level
Accounting: Medium Level
WORK EXPERIENCE
1998 - 1999
On The Job Training at Bumi Karsa Hotel Jakarta as a bellboy,operator and receptionist staff
On The Job Training at Imperial Hotel Bali as a receptionist staff
ACTIVITIES
As a marketing staff at Prada Management
As a vocalist at Bintang band {event band, wedding party, reguler hotel and café} since 2001 until now
SKILLS
Language: Fluent in English and Mandarin.
INTERESTS
Musically inclined (guest contact, singing and playing guitar)
Read More..
Friday, 5 December 2008
College Graduate Sample Cover Letter
FirstName LastName
Name University
Street
City, State Zip
cell: 555-555-5555
Date
Name
Job Title
Company
Street
City, State Zip
Dear Mr. Name:
My proven track record of successfully performing complex analyses on various corporations makes me an ideal candidate for the Analyst opportunity that you listed through the Name University Career Services Office.
You specify that you are looking for someone with leadership, quantitative, analytical and communication skills. Last summer, I was given the opportunity to intern at First Real Estate Corporation. I worked within the Real Estate Finance Group, and assisted staff with problems arising from the misinterpretation of leases to miscalculation of rent schedules. As a result, I played an active role within the group and helped them to solve these issues. This process involved using the quantitative and analytical skills that I acquired through actively participating in coursework for my Business-Economics major.
My ability to work well as part of team also related to my success within this group. These attributes, combined with my enthusiasm to learn, were essential to my contributions and success during this internship.
I believe that I can apply the same skills within my internship last summer to a position within your company. I look forward to discussing the position with you in more detail. I will call next week to see if you agree that my qualifications seem to be a match for the position. If so, I hope to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Signature
FirstName LastName
Read More..
Name University
Street
City, State Zip
cell: 555-555-5555
Date
Name
Job Title
Company
Street
City, State Zip
Dear Mr. Name:
My proven track record of successfully performing complex analyses on various corporations makes me an ideal candidate for the Analyst opportunity that you listed through the Name University Career Services Office.
You specify that you are looking for someone with leadership, quantitative, analytical and communication skills. Last summer, I was given the opportunity to intern at First Real Estate Corporation. I worked within the Real Estate Finance Group, and assisted staff with problems arising from the misinterpretation of leases to miscalculation of rent schedules. As a result, I played an active role within the group and helped them to solve these issues. This process involved using the quantitative and analytical skills that I acquired through actively participating in coursework for my Business-Economics major.
My ability to work well as part of team also related to my success within this group. These attributes, combined with my enthusiasm to learn, were essential to my contributions and success during this internship.
I believe that I can apply the same skills within my internship last summer to a position within your company. I look forward to discussing the position with you in more detail. I will call next week to see if you agree that my qualifications seem to be a match for the position. If so, I hope to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Signature
FirstName LastName
Read More..
Sample Job Application Letter
Mr. George Gilhooley
XYZ Company
87 Delaware Road
Hatfield, CA 08065
(909) 555-5555
Date
Dear Mr. Gilhooley,
I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union. As requested, I am enclosing a completed job application, my certification, my resume and three references.
The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting, and I believe that my strong technical experience and education will make me a very competitive candidate for this position. The key strengths that I possess for success in this position include:
I have successfully designed, developed, and supported live use applications
I strive for continued excellence
I provide exceptional contributions to customer service for all customers
With a BS degree in Computer Programming, I have a full understanding of the full life cycle of a software development project. I also have experience in learning and excelling at new technologies as needed.
Please see my resume for additional information on my experience.
I can be reached anytime via my cell phone, 555-555-5555. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity.
Sincerely,
FirstName LastName
Read More..
XYZ Company
87 Delaware Road
Hatfield, CA 08065
(909) 555-5555
Date
Dear Mr. Gilhooley,
I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union. As requested, I am enclosing a completed job application, my certification, my resume and three references.
The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting, and I believe that my strong technical experience and education will make me a very competitive candidate for this position. The key strengths that I possess for success in this position include:
I have successfully designed, developed, and supported live use applications
I strive for continued excellence
I provide exceptional contributions to customer service for all customers
With a BS degree in Computer Programming, I have a full understanding of the full life cycle of a software development project. I also have experience in learning and excelling at new technologies as needed.
Please see my resume for additional information on my experience.
I can be reached anytime via my cell phone, 555-555-5555. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity.
Sincerely,
FirstName LastName
Read More..
Thursday, 4 December 2008
CV layout
Aim
Good and appropriate CV layout is critical to show effectively how your skills match the requirements for a particular post. In the first instance, the employer is looking at your ingenuity in addressing the challenge of making the connection between yourself and their job.
Focus
Your CV layout itself demonstrates motivation and respect for the employer. The person reading the CV will usually be the person who wrote the job specification or newspaper advertisement. If your layout is focused on the information they provided, they will be more likely to shortlist you. The care you take to target, interpret and prioritise your experiences also demonstrates effective written communication skills.
Accessibility
The employer will probably scan rather than read the CV, so it’s essential that the layout makes it easy to navigate. This means a strong internal logic with headings and consistent use of effects. Make sure you’re giving the reader strong visual signals about how the CV should be read.
To make it look good
Ideally the font size of regular text should 11 or 12. Don’t be tempted to cram in more text in a smaller font. You should be able to hold your CV at arm’s length and still read it comfortably.
Use headings likely to engage the employer such as ‘Relevant Skills & Experience’.
Better still, use headings taken from the employer’s original advertisement or job specification.
Avoid large blocks of text that won’t be read.
Split information into individual focused bullet points.
Start sentences with competency-based words that emphasise the skill, quality or attribute you’re presenting.
CVs should be two pages maximum, unless you’re applying for an academic research position.
Use good quality paper.
Always check spelling and grammar. Ask a careers adviser or third party to read through the final version.
In the main, graphics and gimmicks are to be avoided.
Using tables and charts can make a CV look cluttered and detract from the information given.
Overall, try to use a consistent style and format and don’t overdo underlining and capitals.
Try a different or larger font for headings and use bold for emphasis.
For some creative roles, an alternative approach may be appreciated but keep it original and professional.
Read More..
Good and appropriate CV layout is critical to show effectively how your skills match the requirements for a particular post. In the first instance, the employer is looking at your ingenuity in addressing the challenge of making the connection between yourself and their job.
Focus
Your CV layout itself demonstrates motivation and respect for the employer. The person reading the CV will usually be the person who wrote the job specification or newspaper advertisement. If your layout is focused on the information they provided, they will be more likely to shortlist you. The care you take to target, interpret and prioritise your experiences also demonstrates effective written communication skills.
Accessibility
The employer will probably scan rather than read the CV, so it’s essential that the layout makes it easy to navigate. This means a strong internal logic with headings and consistent use of effects. Make sure you’re giving the reader strong visual signals about how the CV should be read.
To make it look good
Ideally the font size of regular text should 11 or 12. Don’t be tempted to cram in more text in a smaller font. You should be able to hold your CV at arm’s length and still read it comfortably.
Use headings likely to engage the employer such as ‘Relevant Skills & Experience’.
Better still, use headings taken from the employer’s original advertisement or job specification.
Avoid large blocks of text that won’t be read.
Split information into individual focused bullet points.
Start sentences with competency-based words that emphasise the skill, quality or attribute you’re presenting.
CVs should be two pages maximum, unless you’re applying for an academic research position.
Use good quality paper.
Always check spelling and grammar. Ask a careers adviser or third party to read through the final version.
In the main, graphics and gimmicks are to be avoided.
Using tables and charts can make a CV look cluttered and detract from the information given.
Overall, try to use a consistent style and format and don’t overdo underlining and capitals.
Try a different or larger font for headings and use bold for emphasis.
For some creative roles, an alternative approach may be appreciated but keep it original and professional.
Read More..
CVs and covering letters: CV content
What is a CV?
The term ‘curriculum vitae’ literally means ‘course of life’. However, a CV should not be a list of all your experiences and achievements. It should be a document that demonstrates your suitability for a particular job and company. It should show, in an ordered and methodical way, how your profile matches the employer’s needs.
When employers ask for a CV, they’re setting you the task of inventing an ‘original’ application for the job. This is different from an application form, which asks all candidates to fill in the same boxes under the same headings. The CV really is a unique selling document. It’s an opportunity to make yourself stand out. It will be different for every application you make.
The decisions about which CV style to use, what to include and omit, what to emphasise, and how to order the information, are all determined by what is the best way to sell yourself to an employer who has a specific vacancy. Your CV is never ‘done’. It’s constantly revised and rewritten for each new application.
In the US, the term ‘résumé’ is usually used to distinguish this more marketed document from an academically focused biography, although in the UK the terms are more interchangeable.
The way you present information on your CV is relatively flexible and will depend on what you have to offer. However, it’s generally recognised that all CVs tend to include the following sections.
Personal details
Keep this section brief - no more than a quarter of a page. Ensure you’re easily contactable at the address given and if necessary include term-time and home addresses with dates for availability at each.
Email addresses are useful. Choose one that reflects well upon you - not for example, as one graduate employer reported: iamamuppetandiknowit@hotmail.com.
In or out?
Date of birth has been a usual but not mandatory feature on CVs. Age discrimination legislation made this a less legitimate CV requirement from October 2006.
Nationality is not mandatory but can be useful, particularly to clarify your ability to work in a country. International students may wish to use this section to clarify their work permit status. Although some international students choose not to include nationality on a CV, some UK employers do not recruit non-EU nationals who need work permits, and may even screen out applicants at a later stage of selection if their nationality was not previously disclosed.
Marital status, gender and health status are not included unless this information is specifically and legitimately requested for the post.
Personal profile/career objective
If you use a profile, keep it brief at three or four lines maximum. Use it to demonstrate your career focus and/or current aims and perhaps evidence of two or three main strengths and where they were developed. This is a part of your CV which is likely to change with every application see our sample CVs. You may want to tailor the profile to reflect company ethos and values. Avoid generic skills statements such as ‘good communicator, team worker with strong analytical skills’. Make the personal profile relevant to the vacancy and employer.
Profiles are optional and this information could alternatively be included in your covering letter.
Education
Details about your education are usually stated in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experiences first, back to your secondary level education. Include dates, the name of the institution, and town. Full addresses are not required. Integrate your education and qualifications into one section. Think about the relevance of the information. Summarise GCSEs but market your later education more fully and use language that will be familiar to the employer. Suggestions include a list of relevant modules, information about projects and dissertations undertaken, average grades to date or predicted results, and/or skills developed. For example:
*data analysis, interpreting statistical information and experience with relevant computer packages;
*teamworking, communication and presentation skills developed during group projects;
*creativity, initiative and design ability for artistic studies.
It can be tempting to try to cover up a poor grade by not mentioning it at all, but there may be ways of limiting the damage on paper. If you’re unsure about how to approach this, consult your careers adviser.
Experience
All work experience counts, whether paid, voluntary or shadowing. Aim for reverse chronological order with rough dates to illustrate how long you were there. Focus on your responsibilities, achievements in the role, and illustrations of where skills were used or developed. Try to give yourself a job title and use terminology relevant to the post you’re applying for or that shows commercial awareness.
You may wish to create a separate section for experience particularly relevant to the post you’re applying for. Typical headers might be: ‘relevant experience’, ‘technical experience’ or ‘legal experience’. Similarly, as you gain more work experience, it may be appropriate to group some experiences together.
An example would be:
Summer 2004: A variety of customer service roles including bar work, waitressing and telesales. Developed an awareness of customer relationship management and improved my influencing skills when working with challenging clients under pressure.
Positions of responsibility, achievements, interests
These are all relevant sections to include and can be used to demonstrate that you’re motivated to pursue other activities, have an interest in a relevant career, and take the initiative to develop your involvements and skills. Again, try to focus on recent achievements and what your contributions were, what skills you developed and what the outcomes were. Employers will not necessarily spend time trying to make sense of your experience.
Referees
*Two referees are the norm, one academic and one work-related, or a character referee if allowed.
*Give their phone number and email along with their title and full contact address.
*Always ask for their permission first and remember to keep them informed of your career aspirations and achievements to date.
*If a reference from your immediate manager is not possible, consider using someone else in the company.
*If using an international referee, it’s a good idea to confirm with them that they can provide a fax or email in English.
*If you’re running out of space, and referees’ details are not explicitly requested, it’s acceptable to state ‘References available upon request’.
*Graduates can purchase a CV evaluation from Graduate Prospects.
Read More..
The term ‘curriculum vitae’ literally means ‘course of life’. However, a CV should not be a list of all your experiences and achievements. It should be a document that demonstrates your suitability for a particular job and company. It should show, in an ordered and methodical way, how your profile matches the employer’s needs.
When employers ask for a CV, they’re setting you the task of inventing an ‘original’ application for the job. This is different from an application form, which asks all candidates to fill in the same boxes under the same headings. The CV really is a unique selling document. It’s an opportunity to make yourself stand out. It will be different for every application you make.
The decisions about which CV style to use, what to include and omit, what to emphasise, and how to order the information, are all determined by what is the best way to sell yourself to an employer who has a specific vacancy. Your CV is never ‘done’. It’s constantly revised and rewritten for each new application.
In the US, the term ‘résumé’ is usually used to distinguish this more marketed document from an academically focused biography, although in the UK the terms are more interchangeable.
The way you present information on your CV is relatively flexible and will depend on what you have to offer. However, it’s generally recognised that all CVs tend to include the following sections.
Personal details
Keep this section brief - no more than a quarter of a page. Ensure you’re easily contactable at the address given and if necessary include term-time and home addresses with dates for availability at each.
Email addresses are useful. Choose one that reflects well upon you - not for example, as one graduate employer reported: iamamuppetandiknowit@hotmail.com.
In or out?
Date of birth has been a usual but not mandatory feature on CVs. Age discrimination legislation made this a less legitimate CV requirement from October 2006.
Nationality is not mandatory but can be useful, particularly to clarify your ability to work in a country. International students may wish to use this section to clarify their work permit status. Although some international students choose not to include nationality on a CV, some UK employers do not recruit non-EU nationals who need work permits, and may even screen out applicants at a later stage of selection if their nationality was not previously disclosed.
Marital status, gender and health status are not included unless this information is specifically and legitimately requested for the post.
Personal profile/career objective
If you use a profile, keep it brief at three or four lines maximum. Use it to demonstrate your career focus and/or current aims and perhaps evidence of two or three main strengths and where they were developed. This is a part of your CV which is likely to change with every application see our sample CVs. You may want to tailor the profile to reflect company ethos and values. Avoid generic skills statements such as ‘good communicator, team worker with strong analytical skills’. Make the personal profile relevant to the vacancy and employer.
Profiles are optional and this information could alternatively be included in your covering letter.
Education
Details about your education are usually stated in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experiences first, back to your secondary level education. Include dates, the name of the institution, and town. Full addresses are not required. Integrate your education and qualifications into one section. Think about the relevance of the information. Summarise GCSEs but market your later education more fully and use language that will be familiar to the employer. Suggestions include a list of relevant modules, information about projects and dissertations undertaken, average grades to date or predicted results, and/or skills developed. For example:
*data analysis, interpreting statistical information and experience with relevant computer packages;
*teamworking, communication and presentation skills developed during group projects;
*creativity, initiative and design ability for artistic studies.
It can be tempting to try to cover up a poor grade by not mentioning it at all, but there may be ways of limiting the damage on paper. If you’re unsure about how to approach this, consult your careers adviser.
Experience
All work experience counts, whether paid, voluntary or shadowing. Aim for reverse chronological order with rough dates to illustrate how long you were there. Focus on your responsibilities, achievements in the role, and illustrations of where skills were used or developed. Try to give yourself a job title and use terminology relevant to the post you’re applying for or that shows commercial awareness.
You may wish to create a separate section for experience particularly relevant to the post you’re applying for. Typical headers might be: ‘relevant experience’, ‘technical experience’ or ‘legal experience’. Similarly, as you gain more work experience, it may be appropriate to group some experiences together.
An example would be:
Summer 2004: A variety of customer service roles including bar work, waitressing and telesales. Developed an awareness of customer relationship management and improved my influencing skills when working with challenging clients under pressure.
Positions of responsibility, achievements, interests
These are all relevant sections to include and can be used to demonstrate that you’re motivated to pursue other activities, have an interest in a relevant career, and take the initiative to develop your involvements and skills. Again, try to focus on recent achievements and what your contributions were, what skills you developed and what the outcomes were. Employers will not necessarily spend time trying to make sense of your experience.
Referees
*Two referees are the norm, one academic and one work-related, or a character referee if allowed.
*Give their phone number and email along with their title and full contact address.
*Always ask for their permission first and remember to keep them informed of your career aspirations and achievements to date.
*If a reference from your immediate manager is not possible, consider using someone else in the company.
*If using an international referee, it’s a good idea to confirm with them that they can provide a fax or email in English.
*If you’re running out of space, and referees’ details are not explicitly requested, it’s acceptable to state ‘References available upon request’.
*Graduates can purchase a CV evaluation from Graduate Prospects.
Read More..
Job applications: Application forms
Why an application form?
Many recruiters ask graduates to apply using a company application form. This enables an employer to compare applicants on a like-with-like basis in terms of their approach to and completion of a standard form. The use of application forms usually indicates a more transparent and scientific approach to recruitment on the part of the employer.
There is more likely to be a ‘job specification’, with notes provided on how to complete the application form. When you submit a CV, you might imagine selling yourself to a reluctant reader whose attention you need to capture. When you fill in an application form, imagine a systematic reader checking that you meet clearly set criteria.
Education
Some forms are short on space for listing all your qualifications or modules. It may be possible to summarise key results or modules and refer to a fuller listing on a separate sheet, in the additional information box, or as ‘available upon request’. If in doubt, contact the employer to confirm. Similarly, if your qualifications don’t translate into UCAS points and there’s no room for explanations, contact the employer to ask how to proceed. The UCAS website has a section on the comparability of international qualifications, which may help.
Employment/work experience
Interests and achievements
Similar principles apply as for your work experiences.
Emphasise key words that demonstrate evidence of your skills.
Focus on demonstrating appropriate behaviours rather than seeking to impress an employer with an amazing achievement.
Competency based questions
Some recruiters will have an application form (on paper or online) made up of competency based questions. These ask the applicant to provide detailed answers based on personal experience to demonstrate a skill required in the job.
An example might be: ‘Think of a time when you have had to influence others to do something they were reluctant to do'.
What was the situation?
How did you do it?
What was the outcome?’
Often there will be a word limit attached to the answer.
The employer is looking for a clear succinct and disciplined answer.
For this question you should try to:
briefly outline the situation;
explain what you did in terms of skills and processes that YOU used in some detail;
describe a positive outcome or personal learning point.
There is likely to be a series of questions covering a range of personal skills such as;
problem solving;
teamwork;
communication.
Avoid using the same scenario twice. Provide a spread of evidence in your answers, drawing on the breadth of your work, life and study.
This type of application form is most commonly used for public sector graduate training schemes. It may be useful to consult with your university careers adviser, who is likely to have seen many attempts at tackling these questions and can give you some first hand guidance on the standard required.
Personal statements
Many application forms require you to complete a personal statement in support of your application. You will usually be asked to give your ’reasons for applying’ and other information relevant to the job specification, including your knowledge, skills and experience.
Your personal statement should relate directly to the specifications of the job or course you’re applying for. It’s important that you address all the points in the job specification in the order in which they appear. Imagine this being used as a checklist by the person short-listing.
Address each point on the job specification in a clearly themed paragraph:
In your first sentence you might make a short STATEMENT summarising how you meet or relate to the requirement.
The next few sentences should provide a concrete EXAMPLE of the assertion(s) you’ve just made.
A final sentence that shows REFLECTION will add depth to the point you’re making.
Sample personal statement
When addressing a criterion asking for a commitment to promoting Equal Opportunities:
‘I have always tried to ensure in my personal and work life that I am sensitive and inclusive of the cultures and circumstances of other people. In 2006, I worked as a mentor/facilitator to a group of students on the Aim Higher project to encourage pupils from non-traditional backgrounds to consider applying for university. I designed projects and activities that recognised and focused on the diverse experience within the group to ensure participation. The programme was successful for the pupils and a rewarding learning experience for me, as it showed the potential and understanding that results from working with mutual respect.
[The first sentence is the STATEMENT, the second and third sentences describe the EXAMPLE, and the last sentence is your REFLECTION.]
Avoid simply repeating the words used in the job specification in your responses (e.g. ‘I am committed to Equal Opportunities’). Make a personal interpretation of the criteria.
You will often be asked in a personal statement to give your ‘reasons for applying for this post’. You may choose to introduce or conclude your personal statement with a summary of why you’re applying for the job and what attracted you to the organsation.
Use language and phrasing that shows enthusiasm for both the role and the company.
Provide a brief summary of how your set of skills matches the post advertised.
Show that you’ve done your research on the company and highlight their strengths as an employer.
References
Two referees are the norm, one academic and one work-related, or a character referee if allowed.
Give their phone number and email along with their title and full contact address.
Always ask for their permission first and remember to keep them informed of your career aspirations and achievements to date.
If a reference from your immediate manager is not possible, consider using someone else in the company.
If using an international referee, it’s a good idea to confirm with them that they can provide a fax or email in English.
Approaching difficult questions
There’s only one strategy - ensure that you understand the question, provide relevant evidence, use concise language, and perhaps include key words if there’s a chance the form will be electronically scanned.
Remember to use a variety of experiences to evidence your skills and attributes. Do not use the same experience to demonstrate more than one skill. Also beware of trying to take credit for the work of a team of people. This is particularly important when answering competency based questions aimed at finding out your role.
Before you send the form
Ask someone with a fresh pair of eyes to check through the application. You may not be able to see your own mistakes. Print a copy of your application and keep it with the job advertisement details. You may need this later for interview preparation!
Read More..
Many recruiters ask graduates to apply using a company application form. This enables an employer to compare applicants on a like-with-like basis in terms of their approach to and completion of a standard form. The use of application forms usually indicates a more transparent and scientific approach to recruitment on the part of the employer.
There is more likely to be a ‘job specification’, with notes provided on how to complete the application form. When you submit a CV, you might imagine selling yourself to a reluctant reader whose attention you need to capture. When you fill in an application form, imagine a systematic reader checking that you meet clearly set criteria.
Education
Some forms are short on space for listing all your qualifications or modules. It may be possible to summarise key results or modules and refer to a fuller listing on a separate sheet, in the additional information box, or as ‘available upon request’. If in doubt, contact the employer to confirm. Similarly, if your qualifications don’t translate into UCAS points and there’s no room for explanations, contact the employer to ask how to proceed. The UCAS website has a section on the comparability of international qualifications, which may help.
Employment/work experience
List your jobs in reverse chronological order by job title.
If you didn’t have an official job title, try to think of one that describes your position well.
Full addresses are not usually required.
Describe your responsibilities or achievements in your job experience roles, bearing in mind the skills the employer is seeking.
You can group together or prioritise some experiences if space is limited.
The section on power words has some useful suggestions for terminology.
Interests and achievements
Similar principles apply as for your work experiences.
Emphasise key words that demonstrate evidence of your skills.
Focus on demonstrating appropriate behaviours rather than seeking to impress an employer with an amazing achievement.
Competency based questions
Some recruiters will have an application form (on paper or online) made up of competency based questions. These ask the applicant to provide detailed answers based on personal experience to demonstrate a skill required in the job.
An example might be: ‘Think of a time when you have had to influence others to do something they were reluctant to do'.
What was the situation?
How did you do it?
What was the outcome?’
Often there will be a word limit attached to the answer.
The employer is looking for a clear succinct and disciplined answer.
For this question you should try to:
briefly outline the situation;
explain what you did in terms of skills and processes that YOU used in some detail;
describe a positive outcome or personal learning point.
There is likely to be a series of questions covering a range of personal skills such as;
problem solving;
teamwork;
communication.
Avoid using the same scenario twice. Provide a spread of evidence in your answers, drawing on the breadth of your work, life and study.
This type of application form is most commonly used for public sector graduate training schemes. It may be useful to consult with your university careers adviser, who is likely to have seen many attempts at tackling these questions and can give you some first hand guidance on the standard required.
Personal statements
Many application forms require you to complete a personal statement in support of your application. You will usually be asked to give your ’reasons for applying’ and other information relevant to the job specification, including your knowledge, skills and experience.
Your personal statement should relate directly to the specifications of the job or course you’re applying for. It’s important that you address all the points in the job specification in the order in which they appear. Imagine this being used as a checklist by the person short-listing.
Address each point on the job specification in a clearly themed paragraph:
In your first sentence you might make a short STATEMENT summarising how you meet or relate to the requirement.
The next few sentences should provide a concrete EXAMPLE of the assertion(s) you’ve just made.
A final sentence that shows REFLECTION will add depth to the point you’re making.
Sample personal statement
When addressing a criterion asking for a commitment to promoting Equal Opportunities:
‘I have always tried to ensure in my personal and work life that I am sensitive and inclusive of the cultures and circumstances of other people. In 2006, I worked as a mentor/facilitator to a group of students on the Aim Higher project to encourage pupils from non-traditional backgrounds to consider applying for university. I designed projects and activities that recognised and focused on the diverse experience within the group to ensure participation. The programme was successful for the pupils and a rewarding learning experience for me, as it showed the potential and understanding that results from working with mutual respect.
[The first sentence is the STATEMENT, the second and third sentences describe the EXAMPLE, and the last sentence is your REFLECTION.]
Avoid simply repeating the words used in the job specification in your responses (e.g. ‘I am committed to Equal Opportunities’). Make a personal interpretation of the criteria.
You will often be asked in a personal statement to give your ‘reasons for applying for this post’. You may choose to introduce or conclude your personal statement with a summary of why you’re applying for the job and what attracted you to the organsation.
Use language and phrasing that shows enthusiasm for both the role and the company.
Provide a brief summary of how your set of skills matches the post advertised.
Show that you’ve done your research on the company and highlight their strengths as an employer.
References
Two referees are the norm, one academic and one work-related, or a character referee if allowed.
Give their phone number and email along with their title and full contact address.
Always ask for their permission first and remember to keep them informed of your career aspirations and achievements to date.
If a reference from your immediate manager is not possible, consider using someone else in the company.
If using an international referee, it’s a good idea to confirm with them that they can provide a fax or email in English.
Approaching difficult questions
There’s only one strategy - ensure that you understand the question, provide relevant evidence, use concise language, and perhaps include key words if there’s a chance the form will be electronically scanned.
Remember to use a variety of experiences to evidence your skills and attributes. Do not use the same experience to demonstrate more than one skill. Also beware of trying to take credit for the work of a team of people. This is particularly important when answering competency based questions aimed at finding out your role.
Before you send the form
Ask someone with a fresh pair of eyes to check through the application. You may not be able to see your own mistakes. Print a copy of your application and keep it with the job advertisement details. You may need this later for interview preparation!
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