While it may not seem as important as a resume, most people don’t realize that a poorly filled out job application can be much more expensive than a bad resume. A recruiter will see hundreds of application forms, so any that are filled out poorly will stand out for all the wrong reasons. These tips should help you avoid problems like that and show you exactly how to fill out a job application the right way!
read the application before you begin to fill it out and follow the instructions to the letter. While most apps will ask for similar information, not all will ask for it in the same way, so it’s a good idea to make sure you follow the instructions provided. If you make a mistake here, the potential employer is likely to think, “This candidate doesn’t know how to fill out a job application correctly, why should I trust him with anything else?” And there go your hopes of landing an interview!
Take a practice run Photocopy the form and practice completing it. This will help you get an idea of how many words you can fit into the boxes etc, and will definitely improve the way the finished article reads.
Be consistent. One of the things that people often overlook when learning how to fill out a job application is the consistency of their data. Be sure to fill out the form with information that matches your resume. If you “stretched” the dates on your resume because one of your jobs ended prematurely, you’ll need to make sure that the information on your application covers the exact same dates. A smart recruiter is well aware of such tricks, and finding out that you are dishonest at this early stage can only be a problem.
Check it. How to fill out a job application 101-Make sure there are no mistakes! Read it once immediately after finishing it, and then, if possible, you should put it down for a day or two and review it again. It’s much easier to catch bugs and other errors when the document isn’t fresh in your mind, and for this reason, it’s a good idea to give yourself some “edit time” between completing it and submitting it.
Never offer negative information. The goal of completing an application is to get an interview, and giving negative information will only hinder this goal. Try to put as positive a spin on all your answers as possible, and save the long answers for the interview. There are many different schools of thought on how to fill out a job application, but one thing is for sure, it is very difficult to use the small space on an application form to explain any negative information you have offered.
As you’ve seen, the methods of filling out a job application can be just as complicated as writing a resume, so make sure you stick to those guidelines and you’ll always be a winner!