58. Job Application
Application for employment
An application for employment, job
application, or application form (often simply called an application)
is a form or collection of forms that an
individual seeking employment,
called an applicant, must fill out as part of the process of informing an employer
of the applicant's availability and desire to be employed, and persuading the employer
to offer the applicant employment.
Definition
From the
employer's perspective, the application serves a number of purposes. These vary
depending on the nature of the job and the preferences of the person
responsible for hiring, as "each organization should have an application
form that reflects its own environment". At a minimum, an application
usually requires the applicant to provide information sufficient to demonstrate
that he or she is legally permitted to be employed. The typical application
also requires the applicant to provide information regarding relevant skills, education, and previous employment. The
application itself is a minor test of the applicant's literacy, penmanship, and communication skills - a careless job applicant might disqualify
themselves with a poorly filled-out application.
The application
may also require the applicant to disclose any criminal
record, and to provide
information sufficient to enable the employer to conduct an appropriate background
check. For a business
that employs workers on a part-time basis, the application may inquire as to
the applicant's specific times and days of availability, and preferences in
this regard. It is important to note, however, that an employer may be
prohibited from asking applicants about characteristics that are not relevant
to the job, such as their political view or sexual orientation.
For white collar jobs, particularly those requiring
communication skills, the employer will typically require applicants to
accompany the form with a cover
letter and a résumé. However, even employers who accept a cover
letter and résumé will frequently also require the applicant to complete a form
application, as the other documents may neglect to mention details of
importance to the employers. In some instances, an application is effectively
used to dissuade "walk-in" applicants, serving as a barrier between
the applicant and a job interview with the person with the authority to hire.
For many
businesses, applications for employment can be filled out online, and do not
have to be submitted in person. However, it is still recommended that
applicants bring a printed copy of their application to an interview.
Application
blanks are the second most common hiring instrument next to personal interviews.
Companies will occasionally use two types of application blanks, short and
long. They both help companies with initial screening and the longer form can
be used for other purposes as well. The answers that applicants choose to
submit are helpful to the company because they can become an interview question
for that applicant at a future date.
Application blanks can either be done by
hand or electronically, depending on the company. When submitting an
application blank typically companies will ask you attach a one-page cover
letter as well as a resume. Applicants tend to make the mistake of
sharing too much information with the company and their application will be
immediately overlooked. Offering too much information gives the company a
bigger opportunity to find something they do not like. Please ask or find a
copy of the job ad before applying for a job to make sure you list your key
skills and expertise that matches the job you are applying for first on your
job application, resume and cover letter to help you not list too much
information. Companies are not allowed to ask certain questions in person or on
an application such as age, health status, religion, marital status, about
children, race, height, weight, or whom you live with.
Application Sections
Applications usually ask the applicant at
the minimum for your name, phone number, and address. In addition to this
applications also ask for previous employment information, educational
background, emergency contacts, references, as well as any special skills the
applicant might have.
The three
categories application fields are very useful for discovering are; physical
characteristics, experience, and socio-environmental factors.
Physical Characteristics
If the company
has a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) to ask regarding a physical
condition, they may ask questions about it. Such as: The job requires a lot of
physical labor. Do you have any physical problems that may interfere with this
job?
Experience
Experience requirements can be separated
into two groups on an application, work experience and educational background.
Educational background is important to companies because by evaluating
applicants’ performance in school tells them what their personality is like as
well as their intelligence. Work experience is important to companies because
it will inform the company if the applicant meets their requirements. Companies
are usually interested when applicants were unemployed and when/why the
applicant left their previous job.
Socio-environmental qualifications
Companies are interested in the
applicant’s socio-environment because it can inform them of their personality,
interest, and qualities. If they are extremely active within an organization,
that may demonstrate their ability to communicate well with others. Being in management
may demonstrate their leadership ability as well as their determination and so
on.
Photograph
Customs vary internationally when it
comes to the inclusion or non-inclusion of a photograph of the applicant. In the
English-speaking countries, notably the United States, this is not customary,
and books or websites giving recommendations about how to design an application
typically advise against it unless explicitly requested by the employer. In
other countries, for instance Germany, the inclusion of a photograph of the
applicant is still common, and many employers would consider an application
incomplete without it.
58 – 2 Job Application
Employment resource designed to help
Canadian job seekers find work, Job-applications.ca offers applications, job
tips, company overviews and career-related articles for major businesses. Large
companies need to hire new workers across Canada, and Job-Applications.ca has
the inside scoop on Canadian hiring trends and available jobs. If you are
looking for a job from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, our site was created to
show you the way to employment.
Primarily, Job-Applications.ca provides
Canadian workers a quick and convenient means to apply for jobs online. We have
printable application forms and links to online application pages for many of
the largest employers in Canada. Whether you’re looking for a job in a retail
shop, restaurant, grocery store, bank, or hotel, Job-Applications.ca has you covered.
Read through detailed information about popular companies in various Canadian
industries and learn about commonly open positions. Quickly find out what
qualifications, if any, are necessary to get a job, including how old you must
be to apply for work with a specific company. We also provide information on
average pay rates and job benefits offered by Canadian employers.
After learning about which businesses are
hiring, follow the link to apply online for employment. With the ease and
quickness of applying for work online, you could submit dozens of job
applications in minutes. The more jobs you apply for, the better your chances
of gaining employment. Fill out some online applications and pretty soon
Canada’s biggest companies may be lining up to offer you a job.
58 – 3 Job Application
How to Apply for a Job
Tips and suggestions on how to apply for a job, plus
information on applying for jobs at leading employers.
58 – 4 How to write a job application
You will need to apply in writing for
most jobs for most jobs. This usually means preparing two items, a letter of
application and your resume. If you are applying for a government job,
you may need to provide responses to some selection criteria.
We have developed this guide to
provide you with information to prepare a letter of application. To
read the how to guide on building a resume, visit:
For ideas on how to present your resume
if you have gaps in your work history, see:
Written applications
Written applications generally are a key
part of an employer’s recruitment process. Employers use recruitment processes
to select who they should interview for a job by assessing skills, qualities,
experience and qualifications. Some employers will also use recruitment
processes to identify writing skills if these are important to the job.
·ensure you research the employer and the
position you are applying for
·identify skills, attributes, knowledge,
experience and qualifications which will appeal to the employer
Cover letter
Many employers are very busy, so the
cover letter needs to be concise.
What to include
·Customise your cover letter so it is
relevant to the employer and the job.
·Focus on what the employer wants to know,
not what you want from them.
·Try to convince them that you can do the
job, that you’ll do a great job, you’ll fit in and be an asset to their
organisation.
·Make sure you include your contact
details.
·Keep your letter no longer than one page.
Structure
1.
Explain
the purpose of your letter in the opening paragraph. Mention the position you
are applying for and where you heard about it or where it was advertised.
2.
In
the next paragraph, show you can do the job and do it well. You should summarise
your qualifications, skills, abilities and experience.
3.
State
what makes you perfect for the job advertised.
4.
Next,
state that you are keen to work for the company and why.
5.
Try
to give some information about what type of person you are.
6.
Keep
in mind what you know about the employer.
7.
Mention
your personal qualities which you think they are looking for.
8.
Before
finishing, thank them for taking the time to review your application.
9.
Also
mention any attachments including your resume and any work examples.
Final check
Check your application before sending it.
Ask someone else to check it for mistakes. Ensure that you have read the job
advertisement and any other information. Check if the employer asked you to
send several copies of your application. Some employers may want you to address
specific selection criteria.
You should also complete the following
check:
·Don’t send too much. Employers are very
busy and will not want information they haven’t asked for.
·Send copies of your original
documents. If the employer has requested copies of certificates and other
formal documents, only send copies. You can show them the originals at
your interview, if required.
·Ensure your application is professionally
presented as employers pride themselves on their professionalism. They are
looking at your application to ensure that you share their values. For
example:
o type your
application, unless they specify for you to write it
o use clean A4
paper
o don’t make
manual corrections, such as crossing something out or using correction fluid
o make sure it is
easy to read. The print must be clear. There should be spaces between
paragraphs. Use a suitable font size and appropriate margins. The print
shouldn’t start too close to the top of the page or go too close to the edges
or bottom of the page
o Use an A4 envelope
so that you don't have to fold your application
o
use a standard font, nothing too fancy
·tailor your application to the job you
are applying for. If you are applying for a creative industry job, it
might be appropriate to show your creativity. For most jobs, concentrate
on making the application clear, simple and to the point.
·number the pages in the application
·include your name in the header or footer
of each page in case they become separated
·if posting your application make sure you
send it in plenty of time, otherwise try and drop it off in person.
Selection criteria
For most government jobs you will need to
provide responses to selection criteria. Check out the following information:
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