Can I fill in an application form in pen?

If a paper form is what the employer expects, then using a pen is perfectly acceptable. But it’s worth making sure that no online version of the form exists, whether for electronic transmission or for filling out online and then printing out and posting. Employers increasingly prefer forms accessed online, which means they can at the very least be filled in on a PC rather than by hand, and often submitted and processed electronically as well. If writing by hand is the only option, make sure you use a clear black pen. Black ink shows up best on photocopies, giving you a better chance of success if several people need to see your form.

Whether you’re writing in pen or on screen, never write your responses straight onto the form. Draft a version of all your responses separately, work on it again and again until it’s the best it can possibly be – and, if possible, get someone else to check it for both mistakes and a general second opinion - and only then commit it to the form.