A big theme: how do you try to summarise it concisely and logically on an application form?
Break it down into smaller topics:
- What attracted you to the job?
- How do your qualifications and experience match the job’s requirements?
- How do your skills match the job’s requirements?
- What are you willing to do to upgrade your skills or qualifications, especially if there’s something in the job description you don’t have?
- Which aspects of your personality show how you will fit in?
- How do the activities you are involved in demonstrate those personality traits?
- Why is this a logical move for you and how does it fit in with your long-term career aims?
Explain your interest in and attraction to the employer. This can be based on your knowledge of the organisation from personal contact, as a customer or from meeting its people at careers fairs or presentations. Research the employer: its market position, main activities, who its competitors are, the geographical and sector spread of its activities, its culture, training, and staff development.
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Some definitions, examples and keywords you could include:
- Critical thinking
Breaking down complex information into smaller units for thorough analysis. Spotting patterns, trends or discrepancies and drawing insights and conclusions that are not obvious to others. Keywords: logic, recognising, insight, perceiving, integrating, critical thinking, relating
- Problem solving
Analysing problematic situations, seeking relevant data, diagnosing possible causes. Generating alternative solutions to find the best solution. Keywords: problem solving, analysing, identifying, evaluation, defining.
- Creativity
Discovering, creating and envisioning, imagination and unique ideas. Looking at situations from multiple perspectives to create radically new concepts. Keywords: creating, imagining, investigating, inventing, visioning, connecting, generating.
- Decision making
Willingness to take decisions and take action after considering all the facts and alternatives. Analysing and anticipating possible consequences of potential decisions. Keywords: evaluating, considering, reasoning, reflecting, concluding, selecting.
- Planning and organising
Establishing a systematic course of action to achieve a task or objective effectively and efficiently. Involving planning, prioritising, scheduling, co-ordinating and the monitoring of performance against objectives. Keywords: organising, prioritising, scheduling, planning, monitoring, coordinating, controlling, tracking.
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You may be asked to describe a negative period in your life and then say how you overcame the problems it posed, or you may want to explain a difficult time if it affected your performance in exams and is shown in your educational record. Remember that:
- Explaining these situations is an opportunity to show that you can overcome difficulties. Try to do this in a positive way and highlight any useful lessons you have learned.
- Even if something you describe was ‘your fault’ - for example disappointing exam results because you had not worked hard enough - you could show how you have adopted a new positive approach since then.
- Recruiters understand that people experience difficult times, and that illness, bereavements and family problems are part of life. They are human too!
- If you have to disclose a criminal conviction, Nacro's guide to applying for work has information to help (PDF, 284KB, opens new window).
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