Why do employers use application forms?
Application forms are used by employers, particularly medium to large sized organisations, and education and research institutes for postgraduate or professional study, as a way of finding out more about potential candidates and ensuring the information they require is standardised. Application forms are usually accessed via an online portal and completed/saved in stages, though a few organisations still use downloadable MS Word documents, which you complete and then email to the recruiter.
The application forms are used to gather the information about you that they need so that they can process your application, assess whether you meet their requirements, and monitor their processes to ensure that they are fair. Make sure that you refer to the job advert/job description/person specification when you are completing the form as it will help you to understand what they are looking for and therefore ow to write your answers.
Once received the applications may be screened manually by a recruiter or hiring manager, or automatically using AI software which identifies key words. Either way the screening process is checking you meet the criteria on the advert job description/person specification.
What does an application form include?
- Role applied for – include any job reference codes that are requested.
- Name and contact information – use capital letters at the start of names, addresses and postcodes e.g. Charles Lee, 10 Sunny Lane, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, Berkshire RG6 9UR.
- Sections may include:
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Disability disclosure – additional support/resources may be available
- Extenuating circumstances – given to explain if expected results were not received
- Criminal conviction disclosure – 'spent' convictions not required
- Professional membership
- Education and qualifications – start with the most recent first and include your full course title and secondary/high school qualifications. Expected/predicted grades can be used.
- Employment/work experience – can include paid and unpaid work, starting with the most recent first.
- Questions – usually competency (behaviour) or strength based, which may have a word limit.
- Personal statement/additional information – structured and tailored free text paragraphs showing your interest and suitability for the job/course.
- Referee contact details – usually two named individuals, one academic and one professional. PhD applications, research and academic roles may require thr