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Application Forms Master Class. Katie Dallison Careers Adviser. 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. Important basic rules. ALWAYS: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Application FormsMaster Class
Katie Dallison
Careers Adviser
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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?
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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?
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Structure your answers
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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.
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Structure your answers
Situation
Task
Actions Why, Where, What
Result
Situation7%
Action71%
Result15% Task
7%
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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!
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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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
Recommended