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Job application advice
Rise to the top of the job pile with a professionally written CV and a free CV review from The CV Centre.
Graduate employers recruit motivated applicants who have relevant skills and the capacity to ‘fit in’. Many also require a good degree.
Some jobs require specific technical expertise but others are open to graduates of any discipline, as employers often focus on potential.
Finding vacancies has information about the UK graduate recruitment cycle.
These are competencies that can be carried over from one activity to another. They are key attributes within graduate recruitment.
You should get involved in a wide range of activities and work experience while you are at university to develop these skills so you can promote yourself to employers.
Every vacancy requires a unique set of competencies but some transferrable skills are commonly requested, these are listed below:
You can develop these skills during your work experience, your studies and your extracurricular activities. For example, you could improve your customer-service skills by working on the customer service desk in a supermarket or demonstrate your teamwork skills in a group project at university.
Employers greatly value work experience because:
Voluntary experience is usually as highly valued as paid work.
'Volunteering provides an insight into a profession and a company, allows an individual to build confidence in a role, develop or enhance relevant skills, generate useful contacts that can offer "insider" knowledge, and potentially lead to paid positions. Overall, it is a great way of improving a CV.'
Andrea Grace Rannard, Head of Student Volunteering
Volunteering England
Start out by getting any general work experience to put on your CV - your university careers service should be able to help. Then you could get experience that is more relevant to your chosen career, perhaps even an internship at the end of your penultimate year (but apply early).
In order to promote your skills effectively you should outline:
For example, you could prove your problem-solving skills by outlining a specific problem at work when you weighed up possible solutions, sought advice, trialed different resolutions and effectively communicated your decision, resulting in a solution. For more examples, see analysing job adverts.
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Employers use application forms to assess your motivation and skills (and your spelling, grammar and punctuation). Questions are designed to assess specific attributes, so applicants can be compared systematically.
Before putting pen to paper, carefully research the organisation, the industry and the role to determine:
You can usually find vacant positions and application procedures in the ‘About us’ or ‘Careers’ section of company websites.
Remember - this is a chance for you to promote your relevant qualities so clearly state what you have to offer and why you should be considered.
Most application forms ask you to list all your qualifications and your current education. If there is little space you may be able to:
If in doubt, contact the employer to confirm the best strategy.
For non-UK qualifications, you may need to state their UK equivalency. This is usually done by providing details of how many UCAS points they equate to.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has information on the comparability of international qualifications as does ENIC-NARIC , which can be accessed by most careers advisers.
List your jobs in reverse chronological order. Include your job title, the name of the organisation and the name of the town (plus the country if it is overseas).
Describe the responsibilities and achievements in your previous roles that relate to the skills required in the job you are going for. You can group together or prioritise some experiences if space is limited.
Relate your extracurricular activities to the skills required. It is more important to demonstrate relevant skills than list amazing achievements.
One of your referees should be work-related, e.g. a manager at work, and one should be an academic at university - most people use their personal tutor. Follow these tips:
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Most large graduate recruiters now take applications online. They use sophisticated systems which enable you to build your education/employment profile and answer specific questions. You may also be able to upload other documents such as a CV and a covering letter.
When you first register your application on an organisation’s website you will usually be given a password which will enable you to save your work when you need a break. If you have a few applications on the go, make sure you have some way of remembering all your passwords.
Modern online applications can usually be amended as many times as you want before the closing date and printed off, but this is not always the case. Follow these tips:
Just like all applications, your answers should be formal and targeted at the skills required. The online system will probably restrict you to a particular text format (e.g. font size and style), be aware of this when you draft your answer.
Online applications are often less carefully completed than old-fashioned forms - do not fall into this trap.
Some application forms include multiple-choice questions about your likes, strengths and preferences. These can be used to identify whether your preferred style of working fits with the culture of the organisation and the skills they require. Be as honest as possible - some questions might be repeated to ensure your answers are consistent and some may test whether you are trying to make a favorable impression.
Select Simulator is an online resource designed to help students and graduates with online applications.
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Application form questions usually assess:
You should answer questions concisely and include key words from the job advert/description. Some questions are long and complicated - make sure you answer each specific section.
Sometimes, it can be very difficult fitting your answer into the word limit provided. If this is the case, write whatever comes into your head and edit your work later by getting rid of too much detail and anything you have repeated.
Different forms may look similar but the questions may differ slightly, so do not cut and paste your answers from previous applications without amending what you have written.
Some typical questions are outlined below along with advice on how they should be tackled.
Question 1: Please outline your work experience. Provide details for each of your roles including the dates you undertook that activity, the name of the organisation, your job title and responsibilities.
Answer: Relate your responsibilities to the vacancy. List your relevant roles, even if they were not necessarily your main duties. For example, if you are going for a job as a primary school teacher and you have worked in a fast food restaurant you could list your responsibilities as follows:
Maintaining excellent customer service for a wide range of people, managing parties for children, ensuring that activities were fun and safe and working in a close-knit team.
Question 2: Give details of your main extracurricular activities and interests to date. What have you contributed and what have you got out of them?
Answer: This question is designed to assess two key elements:
To answer this sort of question, identify the key skills required by the specific recruiter and outline recent activities which clearly demonstrate your ability to carry them out. You should also explicitly outline how your experiences and achievements have prepared you for that specific role.
Question 3: What is your greatest achievement to date?
Answer: This question is similar to the previous one but you can also outline an activity at university.
You should emphasise why you consider your achievement to be ‘great’ in relation to the vacancy requirements, plus state what the experience has taught you. This may be picked up for further discussion in an interview.
Question 4: What attracts you to our firm?
Answer: Show that you have a clear understanding of the organisation’s values and ethos and that they match yours. The more research you do, the better, as it demonstrates a real motivation to work for that specific organisation. Look on their website and trawl the internet to find genuine reasons for applying.
If you can visit their stand at a careers event, ask their representatives what they enjoy about working for that firm and quote them in your answer (using their full names).
Question 5: What attracts you to this role and this service line?
Answer: Here, you need to demonstrate a clear understanding of the job you are going for and that you have carefully assessed that it suits your interests and motivations. Again, take some time to find out as much as you can about the role and clearly state the specific elements that you find attractive.
These assess your relevant skills to succeed in the role. Typically, you need to outline a specific example of when you have demonstrated a particular skill, how you have performed it well (in detail), and the positive outcome.
Stress your personal contribution and use recent examples from each walk of life, especially your work experience.
Typical competency questions include:
Question 1: Give an example of a problem you have solved that required analysis. What methods did you use and what conclusions did you reach?
Answer:
Question 2: Describe a time when you were working under pressure with competing deadlines and it was impossible to meet them all. What was the situation and what did you do?
Answer:
Question 3: Tell us about an occasion when you had to communicate complex information. Why did you have to do this and how did you go about it? Did you achieve your desired result?
Answer:
Question 4: Describe a difficult team project you have worked on, the result that was achieved and how you achieved it.
Answer:
Even though this is a team situation focus on your personal contribution to the team (use ‘I’ not ‘we’).
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Sometimes, you are asked to complete a personal statement which outlines your reasons for applying and/or promotes your relevant knowledge, skills and experience.
To outline your reasons for applying, describe what attracts you to the organisation and the specific role. Your statement should enthusiastically demonstrate the following:
The more research you do to identify attractive features of the job and organisation - the better, as it demonstrates real motivation.
To promote your relevant attributes you should address all the points on the job advert/personal specification in the order in which they appear - you may even want to use them as headings. Imagine the specification is being used as a checklist by the person short-listing.
Address each point on the job specification in a clearly themed paragraph.
Example - To show your commitment to equal opportunities:
‘Throughout my personal and work life I have always demonstrated a commitment to equal opportunities by being sensitive to, and inclusive of, the cultures and circumstances of other people. In 2009, I worked as a mentor/facilitator to a group of students on the Aim Higher project to encourage pupils from non-traditional backgrounds to consider university. I designed projects and activities that recognised and focused on the diverse experience within the group to ensure participation. The programme was successful for the pupils and a rewarding learning experience for me. The experience showed me that working together with mutual respect is both productive and rewarding.’
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Speculative approaches can be an effective way to open doors, find experience, network, and get some references. In some industries it is the normal entry route to a career. Below is a list of things to take into consideration when making a speculative application.
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Before applying for a job, you need to thoroughly research the skills, knowledge and commitment required.
You can research the requisite attributes by analysing the job advert and job description. To find out more about an employer’s needs and apply speculatively you could also look at the organisation’s website, contact their graduate recruiter directly, and look up key contacts on LinkedIn .
Three typical job adverts are shown below, along with advice on how they can be analysed in terms of the skills, knowledge and commitment required.
To analyse adverts/job descriptions you need to look for both stated and implied requisites, this can take some practice and you may want to ask a careers adviser for help. See how the requirements for this job advert have been analysed below.
The High Roller Group has, for twenty years, been the consulting service of choice for the life insurance and pensions markets in the financial services sector.
Our approach to client service delivery is to work in teams to translate strategic vision and objectives into systems and processes that succeed. High Roller’s ethos and success is based on the ability to focus our expertise on the knowledge and experience of the client. To enable them to grow and deliver, we develop strong and ongoing relationships with our clients. Our business and tradition is based on ‘partnership for progress’.
Work offered: Trainee Decision Maker; Data Gatherer/Investigator.
Subject of study: 2:1 in any degree discipline (ideally supported by A-level maths, but not essential). 2:2 graduates will be considered on an individual basis.
Locations: London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh.
Apply: Please send your CV and covering letter to Ms L Groom, Graduate Recruitment Manager, The High Roller Group, Blue Base Road, Birmingham B1 2BE
The stated requirements of this job are:
The implied attributes are:
'Our approach to client service delivery is to work in teams'/
'partnership for progress');
'translate strategic vision and objectives into systems and processes that succeed');
'ability to focus our expertise on the knowledge and experience of the client');
'Work offered: Trainee Decision Maker; Data Gatherer/Investigator');
'ideally supported by A-level maths, but not essential').
Once you have analysed the attributes required in a vacancy you need to prove them in your CV or application form. For example, to prove your teamwork skills to the High Roller Group you could write:
During my internship at Company X I demonstrated excellent teamwork skills in a busy financial environment, such as an ability to listen to clients and managers, perform my role to a high level and support colleagues, resulting in an early promotion.
To prove your data-gathering skills:
At Company Y I developed excellent data investigation skills such as an ability to use a range of sources, check findings and question conclusions, resulting in a key role helping business clients develop efficient systems.
See the chronological CV and standard covering letter which are targeted at this vacancy.
Consider how you would match your skills to this travel agent's requirements.
One of the UK’s leading specialists in tailor-made tours and cultural holidays to North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, is looking for a recent graduate to train as a Travel Consultant. We are committed to providing the best service to our clients whilst supplying a unique holiday adventure to suit their individual needs. We believe you will thrive with our twelve-month training plan which will give you the opportunity to experience all aspects of our business.
Responsibilities will include dealing with client enquiries, selling worldwide tailor-made holidays and creating itineraries, booking tours and reserving flights through suppliers, preparing client travel documentation, managing bookings and general customer service.
Candidates must have a relevant degree (2:2 or higher), initiative, team skills, the ability to communicate effectively, good administrative skills, experience of travellers’ needs, excellent customer service skills, sales knowledge and preferably language skills.
To apply, send us your CV or upload it directly to our website.
The stated requirements of this job are:
The implied attributes are:
'selling worldwide tailor-made holidays').
To demonstrate your initiative skills to Whittear Travel Consultancy you could write:
Successful study and work in Spain and Mexico show that I can creatively develop my skills and experience and adapt to new and different environments.
To prove your sales knowledge/skills:
Raised sales at Company Z by 12% by up selling add-on packages to new and existing customers.
See the skills-based CV and covering letter showing disclosure of a disability which are targeted at this vacancy.
See the key points for examples of how you could demonstrate your suitability for this academic position.
Located in Bruges, Belgium, the Federal Institute of Technology consistently ranks among the best universities in Europe and the World. The Chair Management of Network Industries within the College of the Management of Technology invites applications for a post-Doctoral position in business strategy for urban utilities.
Required qualifications:
- A PhD in management, business, economics, or political science.
- Research and publications in business strategy/regulation in one or several of the following industries: energy, communications, transport, and/or environmental services.
- Fluency in English. A working level understanding of written and spoken French will be a distinct advantage.
Main responsibilities:
- Organise a new Executive Master (EM) in Urban Utilities Management (UrbUtil).
- Manage the administration, logistic and curriculum of the EM in UrbUtil.
- Conduct research on business strategy in network industries.
- Participate in international conferences in academic and business circles.
- Contribute to teaching in the EM in UrbUtil.
An initial one-year contract will be offered with the possibility of a permanent position depending on the success of the Executive Masters programme. Please send letter of application, curriculum vitae and names of at least three referees to Dr Michele Berryman.
The stated attributes are:
The implied attributes are:
'Located in Bruges');
'Organise a…');
'Organise a new Executive Master (EM) in Urban Utilities Management');
'Manage the administration, logistics and curriculum');
'Conduct research on business strategy in network industries');
'Participate in international conferences in academic and business circles');
'Contribute to teaching in the EM');
'An initial one-year contract will be offered').
To demonstrate your teaching skills for this role you could write:
I have delivered seminars in ‘Conservation theory’ and ‘Environment modelling’ to groups of 10-20 undergraduate students and planned teaching methods.
To prove your ability to conduct relevant research:
In close collaboration with the Centre for Finance, The Wales Development Agency and Groundwork Wales, my thesis investigates novel modelling tools and analytical models.
See the academic CV which is targeted at this vacancy. More information on writing CVs is available in CVs and covering letters.
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Most graduate employers get numerous applications but you have a good chance of standing out from the crowd if you research the role and target your submission.
If you are not being shortlisted or getting any interviews, reflect on your strategy and talk to a careers adviser about how you can make improvements.
The common mistakes are outlined below.
Graduate recruiters report that over 50% of application forms are rejected for this reason.
To minimise your chances of error:
Finally, give your work to someone else to spot the mistakes you have missed and let your careers adviser look through it.
Applicants often do not answer every aspect of every question and are therefore not short-listed. To avoid this mistake, read each question carefully and list its constituent parts. Take the following question as an example:
Tell us about a time when you have worked as a member of a team. Describe your personal contribution, how you faced any problems that arose and the outcome.
Your answer needs to describe four things:
In your answers you need to clearly outline how you have performed the skills required. Unfortunately, many applicants focus too much on what they have done, rather than how they have done it well. One way to prepare your answer is to:
For example, if you are asked about organisational skills, you could identify a difficult project at work where you planned carefully, managed your time effectively and regularly assessed your progress.
Application forms are an opportunity to promote your unique attributes and stand out from the crowd. Be positive about what you have to offer and clearly outline how you have demonstrated the skills required.
See the suggestions in what do employers want? and power words.
Most graduate opportunities are not limited to graduates with specific degrees. If you are having no success with your current applications, you could look for a career in other fields.
For example, if you are studying law you could apply to be a solicitor or barrister, but you could also try to become a licensed conveyancer, management consultant or primary school teacher.
Explore graduate career paths in options with your subject.
Some areas of employment are highly competitive such as broadcasting, advertising, publishing and journalism. If you are having trouble getting into your chosen career, try to make yourself more attractive by developing the skills required in another way.
A good way to gain experience and make contacts is through voluntary or unpaid work shadowing. You could also consider working in a related field where you can hone your skills, while you continue to apply for your dream job.
Some students and graduates only consider the large company graduate training schemes that appear in the Prospects Directory rather than those of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
With a downshift in the economy, there may be fewer traditional graduate placements on offer and today’s graduates should look further afield. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can provide wider experiences and more responsibility.
Register with My Prospects for notification of ad-hoc vacancies that SMEs often post.
You may have background constraints or issues that are a disadvantage. Always present this information positively. Demonstrate what you have learned, how you have overcome any difficulties and the coping strategies you have developed. Employers often look for evidence of problem solving, so you can use this as an example.
Many employers use academic results as an initial selection tool. If you do not meet all the academic criteria, you could contact them and ask to be considered on other merits such as your experience. You may also want to explain low grades in your covering letter. It is better to tackle the issue than to either deselect yourself or ignore the criteria.
If you think that you have put in a good application but have not been short-listed, ask for some feedback. This is not always forthcoming, but sometimes you will be able to find out exactly why your application failed. This may help you to improve your skills and your future applications.
It is often difficult to hear constructive criticism, but remember not to react in a negative manner. Say thank you to whoever gives you feedback and learn from your mistakes.
Rise to the top of the job pile with a professionally written CV and a free CV review from The CV Centre.
Recruiters see numerous unremarkable applications. You can stand out from the crowd by using direct, positive and appropriate language.
A good way to highlight key information in a CV or personal statement is to use subheadings and bullet points. Subheadings should be linked to the organisation’s specific requirements. The first word in a bullet point should be an active verb such as ‘organised’ or ‘delivered’.
Always describe your attributes and experiences in positive terms and avoid putting yourself down. The below lists show how some negative statements can be improved.
Each paragraph in your cover letter, CV and application form should be short and focused on one message. In personal statements, link each paragraph to a specific job criterion.
Review your text and make any necessary changes so it is clear, precise and convincing, and get someone else to look at it. That way, the employer is more likely to understand the message you want to put across.
Think about the types of words and phrases you use to describe and explain your skills:
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