You have learned a lot about what you need to consider as you get ready to complete a job application. Now, you need to learn about filling out the application and the types of questions you will be asked. Filling out the application is one of the most important parts of the job seeking process. You need to make sure that all of the information you put on the application is correct. A poorly filled out application will not allow you to go any further in getting a job.
Here are six things to pay attention to when filling out the application:
- Follow Instructions
- Customize for the Job
- Personal information
- Position Applied For Information
- Education
- Professional/Work Experience
Follow Instructions
Remember, this is the first opportunity for a potential employer to see how well you follow instructions. This means entering the correct information in the correct spot on the application. It also includes following any instructions for what to do with the application and how to submit it. If you are completing an online application, be sure to follow the step by step instructions. Don’t skip any parts of the application or the online process.
Customize for the job
Be sure to customize the information on your application for the job you are applying for. You want to make it as easy as possible for the potential employer to see how your skills and abilities match the job. Before you start the application, review the job ad or the job description closely. Pay attention to the requirements of the job. Then, make sure you highlight the parts of your background that match the needs of the job in your application.
Personal Information
All applications are a little bit different, but they will all ask for key information like your personal information. Be sure the personal information you list in the application matches the information on your resume. This includes your:
- Name – be sure to use your full, legal name.
- Address – List your full address.
- Phone number – Use the phone number (with area code) that you want possible employers to use to contact you.
- Email- Be sure to use an email address that you check regularly when you are applying for jobs. You want to make sure you respond to any email from the employer right away.
There is some additional information that may be asked for in the personal section of the application. For example, you may be asked if you are eligible to work in the United States. You will also be asked if you have ever been convicted of a felony. If you answer yes to this question, you will be asked for an explanation.
Position Applied For Information
Because the application is used for many different jobs in the company, most will have a “Position Applying For” section. It may sound obvious, but if you are not prepared to answer the question, you may not know the exact title of the position for which you are applying. The employer is asking the question because the same application is used for many different jobs in the company. Make sure you know the name of the job that the employer is using.
Education
Another section that will be on every application is the Education section. When you are completing this section, you will usually start with the highest level of education that you have completed. The order and format of what to include about your education will depend on the particular job application. However, you should be prepared to include the most common information for each school attended. This includes:
- The name of the school and possibly the location of the school
- The date you graduated
- The name of the degree or diploma you received
- The name of your major, if applicable
Professional/Work Experience
All applications will ask for your previous work experience. The title of this section of the application can vary. It could be called “Employment Information”, “Work History”, or other, similar titles. List your most recent job first, the next most recent after that, and so on. The exact information asked for in this section will vary depending on the specific application. You should be prepared to provide the following information for each of your jobs:
- Company name, address, and phone number
- Job Title
- Responsibilities
- Dates of employment
- Supervisor name
- Salary
- Reason for Leaving
If you are looking for your first job and do not have any work history, consider other types of information you could list here. If you volunteer, list information here about the organizations and the responsibilities you had while volunteering. Or you may have done other, less formal types of jobs, such as babysitting or mowing lawns or other yard work. List anything in this section that will help to show that you have been responsible, including life experiences related to the skills needed for the job.
We hope you enjoyed learning about filling out job applications. To learn more about teaching workplace readiness skills, click the free trial link below.
