The online form and the dreaded personal statement

Internet-based application systems are popular among graduate recruiters. These web-based programmes haven’t been without their negative press however. But being able to cut and paste from a Word document, save your application form and send it instantly to an organisation means that you are more in control than ever.

Their agenda and yours

Your agenda is to demonstrate convincingly that you have all the listed qualities. A common mistake is either to forget or underplay your achievements. Many students assume that their own application forms are very boring and unimpressive while everybody else’s are absolute dynamite. Believe that your experience is good, strong and positive. If you lack this belief then make sure you update your portfolio – it will remind you of exactly how much you’ve learnt.

Be honest and make your form a pleasure to read

Application forms are designed to extract the right amount of information needed to select or reject you – and to test your powers of précis.

• Don't panic. The space gives you the freedom to write freely. Good structure is the key. Read the form through thoroughly so you can see exactly what’s involved. If an employer gives you a small space to comment on your work experience, that's how importantly they view it. Conversely, a large space means a long answer. And if your answer is shorter than the question, it's a fair assumption that you've wasted your time.
• Answer difficult questions only once you have a clear idea of the recruiter’s selection criteria and which matching skills, knowledge and experience you possess. When answering questions that ask how you have demonstrated certain skills, be as specific as possible.
• For those with a fluent writing style an essay-style answer is often the best approach but beware of failing to address clearly each and every element of the person specification.
• An alternative method is to match closely the person specification by using each element as a heading under which you will write your evidence. This makes it easier for the employer to assess at a glance how well you match the requirements.
• Making things easy for the reader is usually a good strategy. Avoid large passages of unbroken text if you can. And use short, simple sentences to make your case. Sprinkle on dynamic-sounding verbs but please don't be too over the top or sound pompous.

Get it checked

Most people find completing applications a chore and consequently they rush it. Having rushed it they cannot bear to check it. Do not spoil your good work by sending off an unchecked document. Employers are quite likely to make judgments based on their first impressions of you, so do not give them any reason to think that you are incompetent. Prepare any long answers in a separate document, check the spelling and then get a friend to double check it for you. You may have the option to register your name, in which case you should save your work then go away and have a coffee. When you return to finish the form later you’re more likely to spot your errors. If you don’t have the option to keep saving the document then you’ll have to sit it out – and pray that you don’t have a power cut before you finish! 

Application faux pas

Smileys? No thankx. Keep fun e-mail addresses for friends and leave behind text message speak and smileys.

Slack spelling. Poor spelling and grammar are a good reason to reject in any medium. Always check your spelling carefully before submitting a form.

Cut it out! Cutting and pasting in responses from old applications can be treacherous. Proceed with caution.

Avoid muddle. Read your responses carefully. Do they make sense?

Nothing to say? Don’t leave blank spaces. When recruiters ask specific questions, they really do want the answers.