Application technique
Ten top tips for online apps You should approach an online form exactly as you would a paper form – take your time, carefully prepare your responses and pay attention to detail. Here are our top 10 tips for online apps:
• Do read through the whole application form before you start, keeping a close eye on all instructions. • Do plan where all your main boasts will be made. It would be a shame to work a slightly tangential skill or experience into one answer when you turn out to be questioned directly on the issue on the next page. • Don’t complete the form with your caps lock on, except where specified – it looks as if you’re SHOUTING. • Do take care with the layout of your application. Consider writing the longer sections using Word and then copying the text over, checking that the formatting (eg, bullet points) have transferred properly. • Don’t succumb to ‘copy and paste’ fatigue. This opens the door wide to calling the firm by the wrong name – recruiters’ most-hated mistake. • Do use the spell check, although not the US version, which will let annoying Americanisms through.
• Don’t be tempted to use email or text talk (eg, ‘It wld be wkd to work 4 u’). Write in full sentences and do not abbreviate words. • Do make sure that there is some way of keeping a record of your application. Whereas previously you would have photocopied it, make sure you either save it, print it or copy it into a separate document. • Do read through your completed application at least three times before you submit it. Boasting of your ‘excellen eye for deetail’ will not get you the training contract/pupillage. • Do use a sensible email address that you will be able to access throughout the recruitment period. If you graduate in June, your university email address will be shut down, but firms will want to contact you throughout
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