Making Successful Applications

There are 3 core components to a job opportunity

• The job advertisement 
• The job description and person specification 
• Your application form 

Once you have identified a position you wish to apply for, you need to make sure your completed application form does you justice and provides you with the best possible chance of securing an interview. In order to achieve the best chance of doing so, you must read the job description and person specification. 
 

How good a match are you?

All employers will be judging how well your application matches the 'person specification' for the position you are applying for. The applicants who closely match the person specification will be those shortlisted and invited for interview. 

To stand the best chance of receiving an invite for interview you will need to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience as stated within the person specification. 

Never submit the same application form twice for different positions. Always adapt your application form to show how you meet the person specification of the particular role you are applying for. 

There are a number of sections to the application form. We recommend you read the instructions within the advertisement and application form very carefully and make sure that you complete all the sections of the application form in full.

The 'personal information' and 'monitoring information' sections will not be used for shortlisting purposes, but will be used to enrol successful candidates and for monitoring purposes. 
 

The supporting information section

The 'supporting information' section in the application form is your opportunity to illustrate your transferable skills. You should demonstrate why you would be suitable for the role by illustrating how you meet the criteria stated in the person specification.  

You must therefore provide clear examples against the criteria within the person specification which illustrates to the shortlisting panel that you have the required transferable skills, knowledge and experience to be invited for an interview. 

In the ‘supporting information’ section you can include, among other things, details about: 

• your duties and responsibilities; 
• your skills, knowledge and/or experience which is relevant to the post; 
• identify any employment gaps; 
• voluntary work you have accomplished; 
• research, publication and/or presentation experience 

Good luck with your application.