Knowing what happens to an application once you've completed it can help you tailor it - and so make it easier for an employer to pick you.
Stage one: the reject pile.
It's no secret that selectors start by looking for applications they can easily discard. Here's how to stay out of the bin:
Don't miss anything out - forms must have all the necessary bits filled in
Follow any instructions provided with the application
Spell check everything and watch your grammar and punctuation
Make sure you meet the specific skills, qualifications or experience required
Keep it clean and tidy. Selectors won't look at dirty, crumpled or hard-to-read forms
Check the closing date and post it in plenty of time.
If it's late, it won't be considered
If you do get rejected, it's useful to find out why. This might help you to make it a stage further next time. Many employers are willing to give feedback. You've got nothing to lose by asking and often a polite phone call will do.
Stage two: the first shortlist.
The first shortlist will be drawn from those applications that manage to stay out of the bin. First, the selector will double-check you have the basic job-related skills and qualifications.
Then they'll try to get a feel for the type of person you are. What they need to work out is:
Can you do the job competently?
You should have demonstrated this by matching your skills to the job description.
Will you fit in with others who work there? This is where your research into the company comes in.
Are you their sort of person?
If you've done the necessary research into yourself and the employer, hopefully the answers should all be YES. Remember, these are busy people so make it very easy for them to find the answers they are looking for.
Stage three: the final shortlist.
If an employer has a lot of applications that look promising, candidates may be further whittled down by applying a points system to their qualifications,
experience and additional skills; those who have the highest scores are invited for an interview. Or the final shortlist may just be made up of people who seem like they'd fit in well.
Some employers will contact referees at this stage. Some won't take up references until you've provisionally accepted their job.
Stage four: the interview.
Your application will reappear at interview as a prompt for those assessing you. They'll base their questions on it and check you live up to the promise it showed. So make sure you keep a copy of what you wrote! Look at it again before your interview.
Stage one: the reject pile.
It's no secret that selectors start by looking for applications they can easily discard. Here's how to stay out of the bin:
Don't miss anything out - forms must have all the necessary bits filled in
Follow any instructions provided with the application
Spell check everything and watch your grammar and punctuation
Make sure you meet the specific skills, qualifications or experience required
Keep it clean and tidy. Selectors won't look at dirty, crumpled or hard-to-read forms
Check the closing date and post it in plenty of time.
If it's late, it won't be considered
If you do get rejected, it's useful to find out why. This might help you to make it a stage further next time. Many employers are willing to give feedback. You've got nothing to lose by asking and often a polite phone call will do.
Stage two: the first shortlist.
The first shortlist will be drawn from those applications that manage to stay out of the bin. First, the selector will double-check you have the basic job-related skills and qualifications.
Then they'll try to get a feel for the type of person you are. What they need to work out is:
Can you do the job competently?
You should have demonstrated this by matching your skills to the job description.
Will you fit in with others who work there? This is where your research into the company comes in.
Are you their sort of person?
If you've done the necessary research into yourself and the employer, hopefully the answers should all be YES. Remember, these are busy people so make it very easy for them to find the answers they are looking for.
Stage three: the final shortlist.
If an employer has a lot of applications that look promising, candidates may be further whittled down by applying a points system to their qualifications,
experience and additional skills; those who have the highest scores are invited for an interview. Or the final shortlist may just be made up of people who seem like they'd fit in well.
Some employers will contact referees at this stage. Some won't take up references until you've provisionally accepted their job.
Stage four: the interview.
Your application will reappear at interview as a prompt for those assessing you. They'll base their questions on it and check you live up to the promise it showed. So make sure you keep a copy of what you wrote! Look at it again before your interview.
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