THE JOB FORMS

Application forms allow employers to standardise the information that they require from potential candidates and are increasingly made available as downloads from many corporate websites.
In addition to requesting background information about a candidate, their education, career, health and interests, there are usually open-ended questions about your reasons for applying for a job and the contribution, skills and experience, which you think you can make.

Whenever you complete any application form, it is important to be positive and assertive. If there have been problems in your career (crises of confidence, substantial errors in judgement, stress-related absences, etc), do not mention them on the form. While the perfect executive or professional person does not exist, the application form is not the place to advance negative information. What happened in the past obviously forms part of your self-assessment profile and your self-development plans for the future, but keep these private - at this point at least.

Why Application Forms?

Application forms are often badly compiled, with the layout and amount of space given to the different sections, poorly thought out. They usually take a long time to complete properly if you want to maximise the relevance or impact of the information included. However, organisations tend to see the value of them and on the whole tend to use them for two main reasons:

• Application forms make it easy to quickly compare submissions from a number of different people, since the information is presented in a standard way.
• An application form can request specific information, which would otherwise be frequently omitted from CVs. These could include things such as health history, reasons for leaving your previous roles etc.

Use the below links to navigate through the four keys areas of completing an application form: 

Preparation

• Read the application form and supporting material thoroughly and carefully, from beginning to end. A lot of important information, such as the job description and person specification, will come in useful when prioritising your information.
• Make multiple copies of the blank form. These copies will be useful for drafting your answers and working out the space/amount of information required for each section. The final draft can then be used as a file copy.
• Complete the form as neatly as possible and follow any instructions given. For example, if you are asked to complete the form in black ink or block capitals, it is best to do that, but remember that an illegible form will be deselected form the start.

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Answering Questions

• Some questions will require brief factual answers while others will seek a narrative answer. The narrative should be drafted and redrafted before the relevant part of the original application form is completed.
• Always refer back to the supporting information and job/person specification to ensure your experience matches exactly what is required. If the form provides insufficient space for your answer, if permitted, you can insert additional pages. These should be clearly marked with your name, the position applied for, and the number/question you are providing additional information for. However, be aware that some downloadable forms restrict the amount of characters you can type in a given space.
• Throughout the procedure it is crucial you try and match your application to the advertised position, to convey that you really do want that particular job with that particular company. Use phrases that correspond to the key words in the job advertisement or supporting information, or employ expressions to show you know something about the organisation, and its products and services.
• Answer all the questions on the form, as any omissions may be attributed to a lack of motivation.
• Check that your answers on the application form tally with any other career information the recruiting organisation might see.
• If there are gaps in your career history (time out for study, family care, travel etc), provide an account of them. Unexplained gaps are quickly spotted and may undermine your application.

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Open Questions

• Wherever possible, highlight not only your responsibilities, but also your strengths, skills and achievements. General sections on the form, such as Other Information will offer an opportunity to sell yourself. Imagine if you were asked at the interview why should we appoint you?, your answer to that question could be all the things you bring out under Other Information. Draft your answer carefully and make sure you reflect the potential employer needs and not just your own.
• Strengthen your application in sections such as these by providing a key reason as to why you should be considered for the job, backing it up immediately with an example. If possible, use terms from the advertisement/supporting information for your key reasons; continue for two or three key points, substantiating each general statement with an example. This can make your application very persuasive and penetrating.

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Guidelines & Tips

• If you are asked to name referees, make sure you gain their permission before listing their names and contact details.
• It is often helpful to have a second person look over your draft answers and the final form before you send it.
• Keep a copy of the original form before you send in the final draft.
• A brief and concise covering letter or email will round off your approach and personalise your application. In this introduction you should indicate why you are applying for a role and why you should be considered for the position.

TO APPLY
You must be well informed that we are not an employment bureau and will not be one. We simply liaise with global job consultants to locate and facilitate your application towards  value added employment opportunities worldwide.

To apply simply send mail to: employkenya@aol.com 

Or Come to our Office; you must BOOK an appointment.