The 6 Rules for Completing Job Application Forms and Personal Profiles

Rule One - The Basics

With each application form you will receive a job specification, to secure a job interview all you need to do is evidence that you possess the skills required and have the experience needed for this job role.

To highlight your skills you need to record real working examples of the essential criteria, mainly in the personal profile and employment history section. Employers will also check you posses the required qualifications' under your current training and qualifications' heading.

The applicant who possesses all the essential criteria and move is offered the job interview.

Rule Two - Standing Out

Most applicants will have the required qualifications and experiences which is why they have applied for this position, what you need to do is stand out from the crowd. To stand out you need to highlight on the application form what unique value you can offer IE what skill or quality do you possess that will increase company profit, turnover or production, etc?

By having a unique skill or selling point, will add value to the organisation you are applying to, as an example if you have a gift for turning underperforming companies on the brink of bankruptcy into a profitable business, then a company in this situation can't afford to lose you.

Rule Three - Personal Information

The first section on the job application is simple; add your contact details, past employment history (give a brief summary only here of your role and duties, making them relevant to the job role) and your qualifications. Ensure you follow the application form rules and if required write using a black pen, etc. One important aspect of the application form is the position you are applying for and the job code boxes, because large businesses recruit hundreds of people a year and HR will only know the position you have applied for by this important code.

Rule Four - The Profile is King

The key to securing job interviews is the application form profile as this is the section that will confirm you have the required essential criteria, while you sell yourself through your unique selling point (making you stand out from the crowd)

The job specifications that accompany the job application form tells you in detail, what requirements the employer is looking to be evidenced on the job application form and the importance the employer places on each criteria.

The job criteria will be recorded under either desirable or essential criteria - it is a must that you have all the essential criteria and most or all of the desirable criteria. It's even simpler then that, the employer on the job specification will also tell you where they will measure this criterion which either via the application form or the job interview.

If you need to add additional pages to the application form, add them and make a note (and give a reference number to each individual page) in the application form so an employer does not miss this vital information. But as more application forms become available online extra pages are not required as text box will in-large itself - just beware of any word count limits.

Rule Five - Selling Yourself

Use headings to split up your text on the profile; the essential criteria requirements make the best headings. If you do not like to use headings follow a format so information is not missed or duplicated throughout the job application form.

Start with an opening paragraph; a mini summary that can highlight your best strengths and skills in 4-5 lines, ensuring you highlight your unique selling point. The opening paragraph must intrigue the employer, encouraging them to read your statement in more detail.

Avoid writing general information such as "I'm a good team player" write how your experience has made you a good team player, employers are looking for real work related stories to evidence your skills.

You have to prove to the employer that you understand the job role, duties and industry. The best way to prove you possess this knowledge is to record that you have completed the essential criteria in a past role.

At the end of the personal statement, write a brief summary why you have applied for this role, what has made you pick this particular role and/or organisation?

Re-write your application 2 more times, each time edit your statement, deleting negative language and adding more positive stories; you want this statement to be the best it can be, ensuring you get a guaranteed interview.

Rule Six - The Application Cheat

Now you have a completed application form, an application form that really highlights your strengths, skills and unique selling point, you are ready to start over again for the second or third job you want to apply for.

To save time on online application forms, keep a copy of your completed application form as a draft copy and use this as the basis of all your future job application forms. When writing a new application form, copy and paste the statement from your original application into your new one, edit each new application/profile to make it relevant to this new position and company, this will save you a large amount of time.

Chris Delaney - Author of the 73 Rules for Influencing the Interview using Psychology, NLP and Hypnotic Persuasion Techniques

At Employment King we want to help you achieve your goals by giving you the motivation and knowledge to improve Your Life Your Career and Your Future.

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Tips for Emailing Your Resume for a Job Application

When it comes to applying for a job, one of the most common methods for doing so is to email your resume. It's easy, right? Long before the Internet and the job boards, it used to be that you would walk into a location, fill out an actual paper job application, submit your resume, and wait for a call for a job interview. Those days are gone. Walk into some locations today and the human resource manager will look at you funny. However, how you email your resume is going to make a big difference in whether or not it will get read.

Tips for Making It Easy

Before you email your resume to anyone, be sure you are putting your best foot forward. To do this, you will need to take into consideration a few key aspects.

• Be sure that it is easy to read. Open you resume and look at it. Is it easy to read, without huge blocks of text? Be sure that it is saving in the right way. Close it and then open it again to see how the reader will see it.

• Use only Microsoft Word or a PDF format. Other versions will not be easily downloaded by the hiring manager and that may cost you the position. You can often find free word processing programs that will actually save the material in these formats for you.

• Be sure the file name contains your name. Use your last name first, followed by your full first name. You may also want to put in the word "resume" into the fields to ensure it is easy to know what the document actually contains.

• Be sure to submit it with a message. You do not want to just submit your resume. You want to ensure that the hiring manager knows what positioning you are applying for. It is also a good idea to include a customized (to that company and that position) cover letter.

• Know who to send it to. When you email your resume, you want to make sure it is going to the right people. Don't sent it to a basic company email address. Rather, track down the human resource manager or other hiring manager instead.

By taking these steps, you ensure that when you email your resume, you are going to get it to the right person in the right manner. They will appreciate it and you'll have a better chance of scoring that job interview.

Todd Bavol is the President and CEO of Integrity Staffing Solutions. Integrity Staffing Solutions is a national staffing firm assisting individuals and corporations in making the right employment fit. To view job openings in Warehouse, Professional and Administrative positions, visit the Integrity Staffing Solutions web site at http://www.integritystaffing.com/.

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How To NOT Get A Job (4th in Series): A Wimpy Message

From my first meeting with Ken he was a focused and self-directed job seeker. He'd been approached by a recruiter with a lucrative senior-level job lead and an interview was set up fairly quickly. He called me weeks later to say he didn't get the job offer.

In his great disappointment he gave an amazingly insightful perspective. "I think I was too modest," he surmised.

BRAGGING vs. PROMOTING

In a series of studies titled "Should I Brag?" researchers concluded that boasting involved an explicit or implied element of competitiveness or 'one upmanship'. [italics added]

Bragging implies elevating oneself for the implied purpose of putting the other person down. Look at what I have (you don't have it). Look at what I own (you don't own it). Look at what I do (you can't do it).

This implied arrogance is not what's going on when you are marketing yourself during the job search! What you've done - your accomplishments - conveys very literally your Value. Your Accomplishment stories say, "Look at how I've impacted companies throughout my career. I can do that for you." That needs to be, after all, the dominant message during your job search: "I am the Solution to your company's need."

Another common misunderstanding is the idea that Accomplishments is exclusive to metrics-driven roles such as Sales or Marketing. A manufacturing technician once told me that he didn't do anything when I asked about his career Accomplishments. I challenged him with, "Oh? So you came in every day, you sat in a chair and they just gave you a check?"

Even though he was very much part of the process (calibrating the production machines), he needed to convey his impact within that process; not only his basic technical knowledge, but also his ability to anticipate problems, for example, and his problem-solving skills in the face of those situations. He was a subject matter expert appointed to training new technicians. He was a project team member of several company initiatives requiring his technical input. He had, in fact, many Accomplishments to speak of.

Employers hire people who best demonstrate that they can meet the company's needs. To not know and promote your skills diminishes your Value in the eyes of the Employer.

Within the context of the job search, modesty can be seen as weakness!

I'll not forget the story of a client who didn't get the job offer for a position she'd in fact been encouraged to apply for. By her own admission the interview - conducted by individuals with whom she'd worked - did not go well. When prompted for feedback afterwards, a colleague confided, "We expected you to come in here as though you didn't know us and sell yourself. You didn't do that."

They offered the job to someone else.

Request a complimentary Resume evaluation or Coaching information by emailing Charlene at: chrleneh@verizon.net
Charlene's LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneholsendorff
Charlene's Blog: http://slicingbananas.com/

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Show Your Potential: 10 Tips to a Better Resume

Resumes have long been a staple of the job seeker. No matter where you apply or what field you're looking for work in, most employers are looking for some sort of resume to give them an idea of who you are and what you have done up to this point. Even with the high level of importance placed on the resume, many people have no idea where to begin or what a good resume should look like. Here are ten tips to help you write a better resume and get the job you really want.

1. Tailor the resume to the job description

Make sure that every time you apply for a job that you adjust your resume to the particular place you are applying. Read through the job description and make notes of any areas being focused on. Make sure to add information to your resume that highlights your abilities in those areas and makes you more attractive for the particular position you are applying for.

2. Add in a list of skills

Your resume is no place for modesty. Highlight your skills, especially if they are specific to the job you're applying for and list where you gained experience with that skill set. Instead of being general, give concrete details and highlights. For example, list your experience with Microsoft Office or even a particular piece of software over computer skills. Make sure to include plenty of competency statements.

3. Make your resume original

Make sure your resume stands out from the crowd. Don't be afraid of trying something different or breaking from the mold. Sometimes a little creativity can garner enough attention to get your resume read which can make all the difference. Don't overdo it though. Being wacky or silly may be a part of your personality but usually is not a desirable quality in the work place. Photos are usually a bad idea as well. Be creative but keep it simple to avoid drawing attention away from what is really important.

4. Focus on achievements

Employers not only want to know what you have done in the past, they also want to know where you have excelled. If you have awards, achievements, or on the job highlights make sure to add them. If you were part of a team, you were part of the success. If your project increased production by 20% and you played a part in it, add it on your resume!

5. Use proper formatting

Make sure to avoid excessive white space and to use the space on the page. Avoid using more than one page if possible, definitely no more than two. Highlight key points with bullet lists and make sure your paragraphs are clear and concise. Resumes are not the time to be wordy. Be straight to the point.

6. Use good quality paper and a laser printer

Don't skimp on paper quality with your resume, it leaves a bad impression. Poor quality paper creases and wrinkles easier. Use a laser printer to make sure your resume doesn't smudge or smear. Always use white paper for easier photocopying and avoid color in your resume. Black and white is the way to go.

7. Make sure to have contact information on every page

Nothing is worse than having an amazing resume and forgetting to add in contact information. Do not assume that if your resume is two pages that they will stay together either. Put your name and contact info at the top of every page and add in page numbers for a more professional look as well.

8. Be honest

Never lie or stretch the truth on your resume. If your employer finds out later you will probably be terminated. If your resume is lacking in some areas, build those areas up honestly by increasing your skills instead of pretending. The truth will always come out eventually and it usually hurts you in the end.

9. Avoid being vague

If you have references, include them. Don't say available upon request. If you have gaps in employment, explain them clearly. They will probably come up in the interview anyways. Being prepared in advance by giving complete information in your resume is better than being caught off guard in the interview or worse skipped over all together.

10. Always include a cover letter

The cover letter is your time to highlight your skills and sell yourself as well as your resume to the recruiter. Make sure to use power statements and highlight your best qualities to get their attention. Your cover letter should address all the requirements for the position and explain why you're the best person for the job.

A great resume gets your foot in the door and brings you one step closer to the job of your dreams. Put in the effort and make your job search that much easier.

For more articles on all sorts of topics check out our website at http://theknowitall.co/ and make sure to like and share this article with your friends as well as post your comments! To get answers to all of your questions or to share your own knowledge visit http://theadviceplace.com/ Thanks for reading!

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How to Prepare for a Dream Job Interview

After writing a captivating CV and invited for a job interview, it's that time you should prepare for the interview. You will have a perfect opportunity to land your dream job if you are fully ready to give good interview answers. Below are useful interview tips for prospective employees

1. Know the company

Showing knowledge about the company interviewing you presents you with some credibility. It is disastrous to enter an interview room without a clue about the company you are vying to work for. If you have at least some knowledge about the company, you will surely give good interview answers. Make sure that you have some knowledge about the company's mission, vision, current affairs and its core business. Knowing more about the company will give you an edge in giving good interview answers. Checking the company's website or checking with your network contacts will give you valuable information about the company.

2. Know about the job post

Finding out more about the job on offer is one of the best interview tips. You should attempt to tally your experiences and skills to the job description. Knowledge of the job requirements will help you understand the job itself and prepare you for it.

3. Know the place and venue and be on time

It is not proper for you arrive for an interview sweating and anxious, as that would make you disoriented. It is important to know the correct physical address and directions of the venue where the interview will take place. Arriving late for an interview will make you look confused and may lead you in not giving good interview answers. Arriving early for an interview is a one of the simplest and very effective interview techniques that will help you gain composure during the interview process.

Interview tips during an interview

When you are given a seat make sure you watch you posture and sit up straight without any fidgeting. Listening attentively is critical in a job interview. You have to listen and understand the whole question before you answer it audibly, and in a confident voice. It is not a good practice to ask the interviewer to repeat questions for you. One of the golden job interview techniques is to keep eye contact with the interviewer and maintain it through the interview.

What to do after an interview

Immediately after the interview, as one of golden job interview techniques, you should shake hands with everyone in the interview panel if possible, and thank them for their time. Later you can send a thank you note via an email or postal mail to the interviewer or panel of interviewers. A thank you note will highlight your professionalism, and also help in creating a stronger network of contacts, which is very important in today's corporate world.

You could make regular follow up calls to the interviewer or the person in charge, but do not become a burden. You could call three working days after the interview, if you are not contacted first. In the cause of your call, ask when you could call next, if you are told a hiring decision has not yet been made. If you are expecting a call from a prospective employer, you must stick to your phone like glue. You don't want to miss that call that can change your life story.

The corporate world is getting more complicated, as everything is getting virtual, and competition is on an upsurge. Businesses and employees altogether need to be more dynamic in order to climb to and remain at the top.

http://www.workazguide.com/ provides solutions to some of the business world's most challenging issues.

Ayong Carlson,
Freelance writer.

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If You Don't Think You're Good, Why the Heck Should I?

Trying to make forward progress in almost anything when you don't have faith in your ability to do it, just doesn't work. No matter how well you conceal it, your uncertainty will wind itself around your neck and stop you from showing what you're really capable of.

We've got to snap out of our modesty culture

Especially, but not exclusively in the UK, it has long been thought that it's "bad form" to "blow your own trumpet." Saying what you're good at often is still seen as bragging or being boastful. No, no. You should make out that you're really not awfully good at this or that and hope that your prospective employer or client is psychic and can guess that you're just being well-bred and politely modest. Nonsense!

Modern day business just hasn't got time or space to accommodate such 19th century niceties and anyway these days, people who use that putdown are normally jealous of the fact that you are better at whatever than they are... so can only find a way to criticise by pulling out the old modesty/humility card.

There's no shame to be found in stating what you're good at and what you're capable of, because it's true, and you can bet your bottom dollar that your job rival or competitor ain't going to sing your praises on your behalf. So if you don't, who will? And then there's the other uncomfortable truth here, too - if you don't think you're good, why the heck should your prospective employer or client?

The difference between saying you're good, and saying you're better than you really are

This is where I stop banging my drum for a minute. There is a gap only slightly smaller than the Grand Canyon between telling honestly and truthfully what you're capable of, and telling dishonestly and foolishly what you'd like to do but can't.

You may get away with it for a while but unless you are an experienced actor, a sharp-eyed interviewer or client will soon begin to suspect that you're exaggerating. Even if you manage to limp over the first hurdle and get the job or the contract, if you've told lies about what you can deliver the truth will start oozing out pretty soon afterwards. Goofs like that do not amuse employers and clients and with news travelling as fast as it does, your reputation will be down the drain in a matter of hours.

How to say you're good with honesty, not modesty: 10 tips

Obviously a lot depends on how deeply ingrained your reluctance to sing your own praises really is! However here are some thoughts for you to be going on with...

1. Write down what your capabilities and talents are (as an employee, as a supplier, etc.)

2. Then either pretend you're a good friend who knows you well (or get a good friend to do it if you can't) and either way, create a "third-party" version of those same capabilities and talents

3. Already you'll see a difference. Now, take over the third-party role yourself, if you haven't already.

4. Approach every step of preparation for job seeking or new business prospecting, etc., looking upon and writing about yourself not as you, but as a product or service you're selling for someone else.

5. Use visualisation techniques to imagine you-the-product-or-service in the new job or having won the new business. Think how it will feel. Think how you'll enjoy the financial benefits.

6. Imagine yourself working day to day with the employer, or carrying out ongoing projects with the client. Spend plenty of time doing this and you'll find it becomes more familiar and more comfortable. You'll feel less apprehensive and unsure.

7. Keep saying to yourself, "I am very good at what I do." Write it down on a piece of paper and stick it on your fridge or office wall. It may sound silly and woo-woo, but self-affirmation like this does work.

8. Take plenty of time to dress and get ready for interviews, presentations, new business meetings, meetings with the bank manager or investor, etc. As the cosmetics commercial says, "because you're worth it."

9. Obviously plan to look your best, but don't fret about a pimple on your chin or a spot on your suit. You are very good at what you do, remember? And whoever you are going to meet is going to be interested in what you do, not the fact that your shoes got a little dusty walking in from the parking lot.

10. Lastly, be proud of what you can do. It may not have been something your great-grandmother would have approved of, and it certainly isn't what jealous so-called friends would want. But you've earned it. So go out there and tell them - that you're good. And if you believe it, so will they.

Good luck - go out there and shine!

* * *Business writer and multi-published author Suzan St Maur hangs out at her PR3 site, HowToWriteBetter.net where there are more than 400-free-to-view articles on all types of business and social writing, as well as some really useful self-help (plus humor) books and eBooks.

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Why Bourne Ultimatum Wowed Its Audiences More Than Its Prequels

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