jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people
  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Career Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • Advertise a Job
  • Recruiters
  • Your Account

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

Secondary Sidebar

jobs.ac.uk Career Advice

  • CV and Cover Letter Advice
    • CV Tips
    • Free CV Templates
    • Cover Letters with Examples
    • Personal Profiles
    • CV Resources
  • Jobseeking and Interview Tips
    • Jobseeking Tips
    • Academic Interviews
    • Professional Interviews
    • Jobseeking and Interview Resources
  • Career Development
    • Academic Careers
    • Research Careers
    • Career Progression Stories
    • Professional Careers
    • Working in Industry
    • Career Development Resources
    • Global Careers
    • Working From Home
  • Women in Higher Education
  • FE Career Advice
    • FE CV & Interview Tips
    • Working in FE
    • Managing your Career in FE
    • FE Jobs Profiles
  • Resources
    • Academic Case Studies
    • Professional Case Studies
    • Job Profiles
      • Biological Science Jobs
      • Health and Medical Jobs
      • Engineering and Technology Jobs
      • Computer Science Jobs
      • Physical and Environmental Science Jobs
      • Professional Service Jobs
        • Business Development Manager Jobs Profile
        • Chef Jobs Profile
        • Civil Service Jobs Profile
        • Email Marketing Jobs Profile
        • SEO Jobs Profile
        • Office Admin Jobs
    • Vlogs
  • Webinars
  • Country Profiles
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Ghana
      • Kenya
      • Nigeria
      • South Africa
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • United States of America
    • Asia
      • Bahrain
      • Brunei
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Malaysia
      • Qatar
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Dubai
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Turkey
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Work in Vietnam – Country Profile
      • Work in Uzbekistan – Country Profile
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
  • PhD and Studentship Advice
    • PhD
    • Studentship Resources
    • Vlogs
  • Need help advertising a job?
  • About jobs.ac.uk
  • Ask A Professional
  • Academic Spotlight Interviews
  • Menu
    • CV and Cover Letter Advice
      • CV Tips
      • Free CV Templates
      • Cover Letters with Examples
      • Personal Profiles
      • CV Resources
    • Jobseeking and Interview Tips
      • Jobseeking Tips
      • Academic Interviews
      • Professional Interviews
      • Jobseeking and Interview Resources
    • Career Development
      • Academic Careers
      • Career Progression Stories
      • Research Careers
      • Professional Careers
      • Working in Industry
      • Career Development Resources
      • Global Careers
      • Working From Home
    • Women in Higher Education
    • FE Career Advice
      • FE CV & Interview Tips
      • Working in FE
      • Managing your Career in FE
      • FE Jobs Profiles
    • Resources
      • Academic Case Studies
      • Professional Case Studies
      • Interview questions tool
      • Vlogs
      • Job Profiles
        • Biological Science Jobs
        • Health and Medical Jobs
        • Engineering and Technology Jobs
        • Computer Science Jobs
        • Physical and Environmental Science Jobs
        • Professional Service Jobs
        • Civil Service jobs
    • Webinars
    • Country Profiles
      • Africa
        • Work in Egypt – Country Profile
        • Work in Ghana – Country Profile
        • Work in Kenya – Country Profile
        • Work in Nigeria – Country Profile
        • Work in South Africa – Country Profile
      • Americas
        • Work in Canada – Country Profile
        • Work in the United States of America – Country Profile
      • Asia
        • Work in Bahrain – Country Profile
        • Work in Brunei – Country Profile
        • Work in China – Country Profile
        • Work in Hong Kong – Country Profile
        • Work in India – Country Profile
        • Work in Japan – Country Profile
        • Work in Kazakhstan – Country Profile
        • Work in Malaysia – Country Profile
        • Work in Qatar – Country Profile
        • Work in Saudi Arabia – Country Profile
        • Work in Singapore – Country Profile
        • Work in South Korea – Country Profile
        • Work in Turkey – Country Profile
        • Work in United Arab Emirates – Country Profile
      • Dubai
      • Europe
        • Belgium Country Profile
        • Work in Denmark – Country Profile
        • Work in Finland – Country Profile
        • France Country Profile
        • Work in Germany – Country Profile
        • Work in Ireland – Country Profile
        • Work in Italy – Country Profile
        • Work in the Netherlands – Country Profile
        • Work in Norway – Country Profile
        • Work in Russia – Country Profile
        • Work in Spain – Country Profile
        • Work in Sweden – Country Profile
        • Work in Switzerland – Country Profile
        • Work in the United Kingdom – Country Profile
      • Oceania
        • Work in Australia – Country profile
        • Work in New Zealand – Country Profile
    • Studentship Advice
      • PhD
      • Studentship Resources
      • Vlogs
    • Need help advertising a job?
    • About jobs.ac.uk

Completing a Job Application

Completing a Job Application 2

The prospect of completing a job application can be quite daunting at the best of times, and more so if you haven’t done one for a while or if you have several to do in a short space of time.

The days when a large envelope containing the job description, person specification, application form and other sundry items would arrive in the post are long gone. Nowadays these will usually be online, though hard copies can be requested.

But the question that comes to mind when receiving these probably is the same: where to start?

This article provides some practical tips about getting started and moving through this process.

A large part of the time and effort required for a good application goes into the preliminary work. Good preparation is essential: avoid the temptation to start completing the form as soon as you receive it.

The first thing to do is to ensure your CV is up to date.

This has the basic personal data required for applications: education, qualifications, work experience, with dates. Completing an application whilst trying to remember details and trawling through different files to locate information wastes time and causes stress. Have it all to hand before you start as this will enhance your feeling of confidence before you embark on the form filling.

If you have several applications to complete, prioritize according to their deadlines. Each one is unique so focus on one at a time.

The next step is to thoroughly read the job description and person specification. And then read them again.

You’ve already decided that you’re interested in this role by initiating the application process.

When seeing the details laid out, ask yourself questions such as:

  • Is this something you are qualified for?
  • Do you have the relevant experience and skills?
  • Are you enthusiastic about the role?

There may be aspects that might seem beyond your qualifications or experience and others that look challenging but with some training, you could do.

There will be information provided about where the work will be carried out- can you get to those location(s)? Do look as well at the hours of work: are they fixed or is flexibility required?

Essential/Desirable attributes and experience

This list will also help decide whether you go ahead with the job application.

The essential aspects are usually non-negotiable. They could include things like having a clean driving licence, a higher degree, experience of working with older people. If you don’t have the majority of the essentials, reconsider whether you continue or not.

You’ve probably already done some research into the company, organization or institution and might want to do some more at this point.

The more you know in advance, the better placed you are to complete the application competently and confidently.

Completing the Form

After the necessary preparation, you will be ready to start.

The first part will be listing your basic personal details, taken from your CV.

Whilst your personal information will remain the same, how it is presented will need to be tailored to fit the role.

Not all forms have sections in the same order and some require more detail than others.

Highlight not only your experience that is relevant to this role but also the transferable skills that you can bring to it. You may be applying for a role that is different from previous ones you’ve held but calls for similar skills.

Supporting Statement

You will probably be asked to provide a supporting statement and on some applications, there is clear guidance in terms of the main duties of the job. Others have a more open personal statement or cover letter section for you to complete.

Whatever the format, you need to show here how you are the best person for the job.

It’s a narrative about you and what you have to offer so make it stand out. Everything written here should matter. This should be clear, succinct and be interesting for the recruiters.

You should match your personal information to the main tasks and duties of the post being applied for. Indicate how you would apply your qualifications, skills and experience to the job role and what is unique to you.

Do not just rewrite your CV here and avoid repetition.

You can give a few illustrative examples where relevant and also show your enthusiasm for the undertaking the post. You should also indicate your potential to learn new skills and develop existing ones.

You should read and edit several times.

Finally, try to have your application reviewed by a colleague or friend. They might think of things you’ve missed and even spot those final typos.

When you’re satisfied you’ve done the best you can submit all relevant documents before the deadline.

What did you think of our article? - please rate

2.8 / 5. 6


Share this article

Dr. Ruth Cherrington

Ruth Cherrington has a long record as a higher education professional. She has been a lecturer, trainer and employability adviser both in the UK and abroad. Ruth has always been committed to maximizing the professional development of those she works with. Another strand to her career is as a writer, with a wide range of publications to her name. Ruth enjoys travelling to meet former students and colleagues across the world. LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthcherringtonnumber7/

Reader Interactions

You may also like:

  • Supporting Individual Researchers in a Publish-or-Perish Culture

    Supporting Individual Researchers in a Publish-or-Perish Culture

  • Quiet Mornings with a Tea

    How to stay calm for your PhD defence

  • Online education training and e learning webinar on internet

    Basic skills in Moodle management

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

seven − five =

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow us

Searching for a job in the United Kingdom

Latest Jobs

  • Senior Scientific Associate, Pre-clinical Genome Editing Facility (12 months Fixed Term)

    Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge

    Location: Cambridge

    Salary: £35,116 - £45,413 per annum


  • Senior Research Fellow

    College of Social Sciences - School of Social Policy and Society, University of Birmingham

    Location: Birmingham

    Salary: £57,422 - £66,537 Grade: 9


  • Housekeeping Assistant

    Trinity Hall , University of Cambridge

    Location: Cambridge

    Salary: £12.77 per hour, plus pension and benefits


  • Energy Manager

    CUEL, Coventry University Group (CUG)

    Location: Coventry

    Salary: £43,030 - £63,947


  • Clinical Innovation Fellow (2 posts available)

    College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences - MVLS College Services, University of Glasgow

    Location: Glasgow

    Salary: £48,288 - £91,753 depending on experience


  • Research Fellow - GPS

    Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (ICN), UCL

    Location: London

    Salary: £44,480 - £51,860


Footer

jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people
  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Career Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

Copyright © jobs.ac.uk 1998 - 2025

  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Careers Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people

Copyright © jobs.ac.uk 1998 - 2025