New to careers? General tips on how to apply for any job
The following information provides general hints and tips meant for any recruitment process. All processes are different, so whilst the following can’t guarantee you will be shortlisted / offered a job it aims to give you helpful advice on the full process.
It’s also normal to have to apply for several jobs before getting an interview and also attend several interviews before being offered a job, so don’t get disheartened. Every time you apply, you will be building on your application skills.
Job Search
- Research and target companies – ensure they are someone you want to work for
- Sign-up for job alerts on general sites (Indeed, total jobs, Reed, CV Library, jobsite, etc.) as well as the targeted job sites
- Sign up to LinkedIn
- Google the job title you are looking for to find out which companies have this role (if specialised)
- Expand your search – follow companies on social media – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. (create a profile so they can find you too)
- Visit careers fairs – ask questions
- Ask friends and family – get networking
- Join a recruitment agency, they can help search for roles on your behalf
- Look for other opportunities to get into a company e.g. volunteering, apprenticeship, work experience / internship / graduate trainee programme etc.
Application Process
All application processes are different. Before you start, read through any guidance to ensure you know exactly what you are needing to deliver in your application e.g. for SDNPA the person specification holds the essential and desirable criteria you will need to evidence how you meet. Don’t leave out any crucial information
General pointers:
- This is your opportunity to create a good first impression
- Ensure you can explain any gaps in employment
- Structure your application form / CV / answers to specific questions so the employer isn’t having to pull out the relevant points
- Tailor your form, don’t just send in the same old information. Ensure you match the requirements of the position
- Re-read before submitting
- Make sure it’s submitted on time
- Save down the advert, JD and PS so you have it for reference once the job closes
Interview Prep
- Read through the advert, your application form, JD and Person Specification
- Read the organisations website, to get a fuller understanding – what are they about? What’s their purpose/ aspirations?
- Keep up to date with anything topical in the news that may impact that industry (as appropriate).
- Know why you want to work for that organisation or what sets that organisation apart from others
- Prepare example answers against the JD / Person Specification requirement. You can’t predict what questions you will be asked, but it’s good to have some examples ready and looking at the requirements for the role is a good place to start building these.
- Practice saying your answers out loud – or better still do a practice interview
- If you work for the organisation already, speak to colleagues in that role to find out more about it.
If there is a presentation:
- Keep your slides concise
- Practice it – including timings
- Try and keep some details off the slides so you are not just reading everything out
- Take a copy for each of the panel members to keep / make notes on
Interviews
- Be on time – if you are late explain – don’t panic, things happen but explain why. Call ahead if you can
- Look smart, it shows you are making an effort and are keen
- Assume your interview has started the moment you arrive at the destination
- Speak Clearly, be positive you have been selected after all, remember to breathe
- Use positive body language
- Ask the panel if it’s ok to use / take notes
- When writing notes to use in the interview use subject headings and bullet points to help you find points quickly
- Notes should be prompts, not full answers
- Write down the interview questions as they are being asked, it may help you digest the question
- Take your time – don’t panic into giving an answer
- If you don’t have an exact example give the closest you have, this doesn’t necessarily have to be from a job e.g. school, college, work experience, volunteering etc. or if you don’t be honest and move on / come back to it later if you think of something
- Don’t be afraid to sell yourself – explain in your answers what YOU did – don’t keep saying we
- If you know the panel, make sure you give full answers – don’t assume they know all element of what you did as they can only go on what you tell them during the interview
- Give full answers – don’t just say yes I have done lots of that – give beginning, middle and end:
- Describe the situation – set the scene – what was the objective or goal?
- Explain what you were trying to achieve
- What action do you take – explain your role in doing this
- What was the result – what did I learn
- Ask for a question to be repeated if you feel you are going off track. It’s important you are answering the question that has been asked.
Types of questions:
- Open ended e.g. what interests you about this job….
- Closed question e.g. do you have a drivers licence – Yes / No answer
- Competency questions are looking for answers with real life examples e.g. tell us about a time you…
- Hypothetical / behaviour questions e.g. what would you do if ….. If x happened, describe how you would handle this?
Remember you are interviewing the organisation too. If they don’t create a good impression you may not take the role if offered.
Take a few questions for the panel if you can (not too many). Some examples are:
- Describe the team structure
- What do you like about working for this organisation?
- Describe a typical day for this role?
- How would you describe the culture of this organisation?
- What are the training / development opportunities?
- When will you be making your decisions?
You could always turn an interview question you had round for the panel to answer – shows you were listening e.g. What do you see as the key objectives for the organisation in the next 12 months?
After the interview
If you are unsuccessful:
This will be disappointing but be gracious when you are told as you never know if you will want to apply for another opportunity in the future.
Ask for feedback and reflect on this for next time ask – how can I improve, are there any obvious gaps I can fill etc.
You may have done a great interview, but just been beaten on the day by someone else e.g. with slightly more experience. This can happen and is also disappointing but it’s not time wasted, you will have created a good impression with that organisation and gained valuable interview experience too.
Most importantly – Keep going and good luck with your job searching
Further help and advice can be found on the National Carees Service website – Careers advice | National Careers Service. This includes contract details for careers’ advisers Contact Us | National Careers Service