The amount of detail you need to put on a form depends entirely on the job description. It’s important to read the description very carefully so you have a clear idea of what the employer is looking for. You should then find out as much as you can about the job and the employer, through research on the internet, through publications and by asking anyone you know who might be able to help, and use that research to inform the way you approach the questions on the form. Don’t rule out contacting the employer for more information on the job. Sometimes they’ll direct you straight back to the job advert but, provided you’re courteous, there’s no harm in asking.
Once you have a clear idea of precisely what the job is and what skills and experience would suit the role, then you need to work through your own history to choose what applies. It’s worth writing a rough list for yourself of your skills and experience and then choosing those elements that make you suitable for the job and including them on the form where relevant. If there’s any clear evidence you can point to, such as awards or firm targets achieved, it can be worth adding that to the relevant experience. Don’t forget to include any voluntary work you may have done that demonstrates the skills required for the job.
Some application forms ask for a personal statement from the applicant, a kind of overall mission statement. This can seem daunting, but it’s worth keeping in mind that they really only want to know three things: whether you can do the job, why you want the job and whether you can fit into their organisation. Your statement should be entirely about answering those three questions convincingly and, as far as possible, proving it. If the employer has provided a person specification, a good idea may be to address each point on it in that order. And, however much detail you think is necessary, the golden rule is to be clear and concise.
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