When you apply for a job, you will fill out an application.  Your application is just as important as your resume. Both the resume and the application are important tools in the job hunting process. They help the employer get a good understanding of who you are, what you have done and what you can do for them.  The application is another step in the process that can help you get closer to getting the job. You want to do a good job filling out the application. In order to do that, we will give you a job application overview.

filling out application

Here are three things you should know about job applications:

  1. Purpose of the job application
  2. Preparing to complete the application
  3. Tips for completing job applications

Student thinking

Purpose of the Job Application

The purpose of a resume is to sell yourself as the right person for the job and to help you get a job interview.  The job application is often used in the same way. Similar to your resume, the job application is used by employers as a way to screen potential employees. You want your application to stand out from all of the others. You also don’t want to do something that will give the employer a reason to screen you out. It’s important to be prepared and do a good job filling out the application.

How is the application different from a resume?  People decide how they want to create their resume and what they want to put on it.  The application, on the other hand, is a way for an employer to standardize, or get the same information from everyone, applying for the job. An application might also include information that you would not normally put on your resume. After you complete the application, you will need to sign the application. The application is a way for the potential employer to get a signed record of your personal and work history. By signing the resume, you are saying that everything you have written is correct.

job application

Preparing to Complete the Application

Your job application is another chance for you to stand out from the other people applying for a job. You want to take it seriously and do a good job completing the application. The first thing you can do is gather all of the information you might need to complete the application. It is better to be prepared and even have more information than you need than to not have all of the information you need to complete the application.

Once you have everything you think you will need, try it out. One way to be fully prepared is to find a sample application and fill it out, using all of your information.  This will give you some practice filling out an application. It can also give you a good idea about whether or not you have gathered all of the information you need. It will also give you an idea about the type of information that will asked for an application.

giving tips

Tips for Completing Job Applications

Don’t rush through the application. Take your time and make sure you are filling it out correctly.  There are some key things to know about before you complete your application. Filling out the application is more than an opportunity to show who you are and what you can do. It is also an opportunity to show that you can follow directions. Here are some more tips for completing your job application:

  • Read through the entire application to make sure you understand how it works
  • Read each question carefully as you are completing the application. Make sure you are writing the correct information in the correct space on the application.
  • Be as neat as possible. Make sure your handwriting is readable and there are no spelling errors. Use a blue or black pen to complete the application. Write clearly and neatly, with no mistakes.
  • Be honest. Don’t ever lie on an application. Don’t guess at dates. Make sure you have all of your dates correct. This includes dates for education and previous jobs.
  • Make sure that the information you put on your application matches your resume. You don’t want the application to be just another version of your resume, however, you do want the shared information on both to be consistent.
  • Complete all of the areas of the application. If there are questions that do not apply to you, write “not applicable” or “N/A”.

Thanks for tuning into our series on job applications. If you would like to learn more about teaching workplace readiness skills, click the free trial link below.

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