Success with job applications
If you want a job, it is highly likely that you will need to submit an application for it. This involves providing information about yourself that will convince an employer to hire you. Applications processes are likely to be in the form of:
Submission of a CV and/or cover letter.
An online application through a company's job portal.
A paper application form.
Assessments or tasks such as psychometric tests or in-tray tasks.
Although these are the most common methods of applications for a job, there may be other ways an employer will assess applicants so it's vital that you give yourself time to prepare and submit a strong application for every job you apply for.
Preparing to submit an application
When you find a job that you'd like to apply for, it's important to take time to prepare what you will write. This will make the task much easier than filling it out straight away. Spend some time gathering all the necessary information including:
Your academic achievements.
Your employment history (including volunteering and work-experience).
Contact information for your referees.
Your application has more chance of being shortlisted if you research the company. Aim to find out more about:
The aims of the company you're applying to.
The sector they operate in.
The company's successes and challenges.
The company's key stakeholders and competitors.
You can often find out this information through company websites, but also through LinkedIn and other forms of social media.
Studying the Job Description & Person Specification
Spend some time learning about the role through the job description. This will provide useful information about the tasks you will be expected to complete on the job. It may also include information about benefits of working for company, contracted hours, and who you will be reporting to if successful in your application. It can also help you to decide if the job is right for you. There may also be an opportunity to contact the hiring manager for the role to have an informal conversation about the role.
A person specification often accompanies a job description and has more specific information about what qualifications, skills, behaviours and experience are essential or desirable for the role. It may also state where they may assess this within the application process. This is a good indicator of what jobs you can apply for based on what an employer is expecting you to have. However, it can still be worth applying, even if you don't have all the pre-requisites.
The job description and person specification can often be a good indicator of the types of questions, along with the topics you may be asked so it's important to save it somewhere or print it out.
What information should be included on an application form?
The application form should allow you to demonstrate your skills, experiences and personality Doing this effectively will make the employer want to find out more about you and invite you to the next stage of the application process. Generally, you will want to include the following on an application form:
Personal information including name and email address.
Educational background - You will likely need to provide information on your academic achievements including where you have studied and the qualifications you've gained.
Work experience - You may need to provide your employment history and give an overview of the types of duties you carried out, emphasising the responsibilities that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.
Competency-based responses - You may be asked competency-based questions that will assess your capability in completing certain tasks. Ensure that you are being specific but make sure your examples are relevant to the job you're applying for and are complex enough to show your skills.
Personal statement - An employer might want you to submit a personal statement with a well-argued case that you are the best person for the job. Ensure that this is well structured and the information included is closely related to the job you're applying for.
Similar to interviews, a good way to answer interview questions is through using the STAR Method:
Situation: Describe the context of the experience.
Task: Explain the challenge or responsibility you faced.
Action: Detail the specific actions you took.
Result: Share the outcome and what you learned.
Below is an example of the STAR Method being used effectively:
Interviewer: “Can you describe a time when you had to work under pressure to meet a deadline?”
Situation: “In my final year at University, I had a group project deadline approaching, while also preparing for an important exam.”
Task: “My role was to compile and edit our research findings into a final report, ensuring it met the required standards before submission.”
Action: “I created a clear schedule, dividing my time between exam revision and the project. I also set internal deadlines for my group, ensuring everyone submitted their sections on time. To stay on track, I regularly checked in with my teammates and addressed any challenges quickly.”
Result: “We submitted the project on time, received positive feedback from our professor, and I performed well in my exam. This experience strengthened my time management and teamwork skills”
Disclosing my personal information
The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. Nine characteristics are protected:
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnerships
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion
Sex (gender)
Sexual orientation
You are not obliged to give details of any of the above characteristics and it's unlawful for recruiters to discriminate against applicants on these grounds. You might be asked to provide these details on a confidential equal opportunities form, usually the last page of an application, or on a separate form. This is used solely for monitoring the employer's commitment to equality and diversity. You can visit Acas for more information on this.
Using AI in my job application
It is becoming increasingly common to use AI to help you with your application. However, it's important to use it responsibly in order to have the best chance of a submitting a successful application. You can use AI tools to:
Improve formatting, grammar and keyword use.
Summarise key parts of a job description.
Provide feedback on your CV in relation to the job description.
Help you to write more concisely and appropriately.
It's important that your application is authentic and personal to you. If you get an AI tool to write your application for you, you are at risk of it providing false information or impersonal examples.
Final top tips
You'll have the highest chance of success if you follow the instructions set by the employer and have confidence in your ability.
Below is a list of some final top tips to bear in mind:
Leave yourself plenty of time to prepare and submit your application.
Contact the hiring manager for an informal conversation to learn more about the job.
If using AI, use it responsibly and follow any company guidelines.
Refer to the job description regularly to support your answers.
Use the STAR Method for your example’s answers.
Save your application answers so that you can adapt them for other applications.
Don't lie on your application as you will likely be asked about it in an interview.
Booking an appointment for further support
Book a one-to-one appointment with the Careers Team for personalised support on your application.
How to book via Handshake:
Log in to Handshake using your York St John email.
Go to the "Career Centre" tab.
Select "Appointments" and choose "Book an Appointment".
If you are a London Campus student, select London Careers Appointments and Choose “London Careers Clinic Sessions”.
If you are a York Campus student, select York Careers Appointments and select the type of the appointment that best suits your needs.
Pick a time that works best for you and confirm your appointment.