Employment Prospects Take Flight with Well-Executed Job Applications

Properly filling out an application form is a vital step in the hiring process – yet too many applicants see it as a repetitious waste of time. That attitude can be costly. Savvy job seekers understand the importance of completing all required paperwork neatly, completely and accurately.

Remember, applications give employers their first glimpse into your character and the sort of work you are likely to perform. A neat application indicates you care about your self-presentation. A complete application demonstrates that you pay attention to details, follow directions, and are not satisfied until the job is well done. A form that provides accurate information shows that you can be trusted to get the job done right.
For all civil service employment – county, state and federal – applications are the number-one screening device. Based on the information provided and the manner in which the form is completed, the employer decides whether to call you for an interview.

In private industry, the resume is most often utilized as a screening tool; however, completion of the application is typically required either before the interview or before a job offer is made.

Facts in Hand:

Your fact sheet should include personal information: your Social Security and driver’s license numbers, previous employment (dates are important) and education history including elementary and high school. You should also have names and numbers for personal and professional references. Having this information with you can eliminate scratched out errors, misspellings and inconsistent information.
A small pocket dictionary may prove invaluable if you are asked to write additional information. Sloppy spelling can undermine your best efforts.

Ansel Petrovich, staffing director at USAA Insurance Company, has their applicants write a paragraph describing future goals. This allows USAA’s screening committee to assess writing skills before the interview. Many companies use this technique or ask candidates to write answers to a series of pre-interview questions.
It also pays to do your homework when it comes to salaries. You should know in advance the salary range offered for the position you seek. You can often deduce this information through newspaper ads or by talking with someone doing the same type of work, hopefully at the target company. Having these facts will help you avoid under or overpricing yourself on the question "salary expected."

Apply these guidelines:

Surveys have shown that close to 50 percent of the applications submitted are screened out. But by following a few basic rules, you can ensure that yours does not become a part of this statistic.

• Read the application form carefully before beginning and follow all of the instructions.
• Answer all questions. Never leave a blank space; if not applicable, enter N/A.
• Always be specific in the type of work desired. Never list "general work" or "anything."
• Be sure to enter a telephone number (cell or message) where you can be reached at all times. If you have a "cutesy saying" on your answering machine, it should be changed for the duration of your job search.
• Be sure to enter first and last name in the order requested.
• Fill out the application in black ink (blue ink does not copy as well). Print if your handwriting is poor.
• Be specific but brief in your past job descriptions. Do not put "see resume."
• Stress the important skills you have to get the job done. The space to describe former job duties is usually very limited, so utilize as many action words as possible: speed, accuracy, dexterity, flexibility, technical know-how, etc.
• Clearly but briefly describe the scope of your responsibilities.
• Avoid abbreviations or acronyms.
• Briefly state the unusual aspects of your past jobs.
• Know names, telephone numbers and addresses of previous employers.
• Know the dates you worked and the salaries you received.
• Know what schools you attended, giving location and dates.
• Give the name, address and telephone number of at least three personal references (should not be former employers).

When furnishing references, get permission before listing names; do not list a name of an individual who might provide a poor reference. Make sure the names, addresses and telephone numbers of references are correct.
Finally, accuracy and honesty are essential. Distortions on your application form can catch up with you and ultimately cost you your job. Sylvia Mata, recruitment director at Los Rios Community College District, confirms that employees have been dismissed due to inaccurate information on their application form.
All because someone treated the application form carelessly. Remember, that piece of paper is a reflection of you. Make sure it projects an image you can be proud of.