Application Forms tips for success

1
Application Forms tips for success

• Sue Benjamin-Fast
• Area Operational Manager
• Cornwall Library Service

2
Application Forms

• The function of a form
• Who do you need to convince?
• Using the clues
• Once upon a time . . . . .
• IT or not IT?
• A learning experience

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The Function of a form

• From the employers perspective To provide an
  easy to follow format to judge what candidates
  have to offer against the person spec
• From the candidates perspective - To sell what
  they have to offer to an employer

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Who do you need to convince?

• The Shortlisting Panel
• Who are they?
• What rules must they follow?
• How do they decide?

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Using the clues

• The Advertisement
• The Job Description
• The PERSON SPEC
• The Website
• The For an informal chat person
• Go and look

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The Person Spec

• Essential Criteria
• The Minimum formal qualifications or attributes
  that are necessary for the job in question
• Not subjective
• Easy to score
• Desirable Criteria
• Things like ability to listen well, cheerful
  disposition
• Can be subjective
• Harder to score and the panel may trade off if
  candidate demonstrates attributes in other areas

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Once Upon a Time.

• Supporting Statement
• Use the Person Spec
• Relate the skills and attributes required to
  things you have done
• Be precise and legible
• Dont write too much
• Or too little
• Dont show your baggage
• Be prepared to back up anything you have said at
  the interview

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IT or not IT?

• Is IT a required skill?
• What options are offered for the application?
• Whats your writing like?

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A Learning Experience

• Practice
• Ask for Feedback
• Reflect
• Use what you learn in your PDP
• Dont give up

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Application Forms

• Know what you want to form to do
• Think about the person reading it
• Use all the clues about what they are looking for
  
• No baggage included
• Clarity and presentation throughout
• Learn from it