Application forms

Large organisations may ask you to complete an application form when applying for a job. Read our top tips for completing one effectively.

Application forms will usually include a series of questions to assess your abilities and interests against a set of criteria. To maximise your chances of securing an interview, you should:

  • Start by reading the job description and person specification carefully – think about why you're interested in the role and what relevant experience you can bring
  • Provide specific examples to show your interest and skills, drawing on your education, work experience and extracurricular activities
  • Use keywords from the job description – including relevant terms can help your application stand out
  • Answer each question fully and stick to the key points
  • Find a quiet place to complete the application and take your time
  • Check your spelling and grammar after completing the application
  • Ask someone to review the application – a second pair of eyes can spot anything unclear
  • Keep a copy of the application to help with your interview preparation

Help and advice

You can find a range of resources to help you with different types of questions in the Career Discovery section on CareerZone.

For tailored advice on completing application forms, book a one-to-one careers appointment.

You can also email us at [email protected]Email us about application forms.