For Students

Application forms

Many large employers use application forms as part of the selection process. Some organisations may ask you to download a form from their website and send it in as a hard copy but more and more will expect you to submit it online.

Application forms are used to make the evaluation process easier when large numbers need to be screened. They are also a test of:

how concisely and clearly you write
how well you can answer questions set by the employer
how well you have developed specific skills and qualities that are important to that employer

Behavioural questions

As well as basic biographical information and questions about academic achievements, work experience and other activities, you can expect a number of behavioural questions related to the skills that are being sought by the employer. Behavioural questions are based on the belief that your past behaviours are good indicators of how you will behave in particular situations in the future.

These can be tough to answer unless you’ve already identified your particular strengths and thought about examples that you can draw upon to show that you meet the employer’s needs. It really is important that you put time and effort into your answers as they can determine whether you will be offered an interview. Once you get to the interview you can also expect to be grilled in more detail about these skills.

Examples of behavioural questions

Please provide an example of when you have used your academic or professional knowledge to solve a problem.
Describe a time when you have used your initiative to create a win/win situation.
Describe a time when you have had to adapt to a situation that was not favourable. What did you learn from this and what would you do differently next time?
Please provide an example of when you have worked in a team with such differing views that it distracted the group from the focus of the activity. What was your role in influencing the team to get back on track?

Tips for answering behavioural questions

Try using what is referred to as the ‘STAR’ approach. This allows you to frame your responses logically and to cover the key information required. The letters of the word ‘STAR’ stand for:

Situation

Brief outline of the situation or setting
Who was involved?

Task

What did you have to do?
What was your role?

Approach or Action you took

What actions did you take?
How did you do it?

Result

What was the outcome?
What feedback did you receive?

Draw upon a range of experiences – from work, university or other areas of your life – in your responses. Use ‘I’ rather than ‘we’ to ensure you focus on your own involvement in various situations. Try to provide recent examples (preferably within the last two years) that have a clear beginning, middle and end.

General tips for online applications

Email address: Your email address is the main method of contact for online applications so do make sure that it is correct, current, reliable - and suitably professional.
Research the company: Most organisations using online applications will include a lot of the information that you need to know about the organisation on their website – make sure you check it out before you apply.
Find out the closing time and date: DO NOT start the application on the last day as the site is generally slower then because of increased traffic. (Other people will be trying to complete their applications as well.) The application may also be longer and more detailed than expected, requiring more time and research. Also, if you do encounter any technical difficulties, you may not be able to complete your application by the deadline and you will therefore miss out.
Read instructions thoroughly: Does the application have to be completed in one sitting or can it be done over time? Most will allow you to work on the application over time and save it as you go before you have to submit it, but you do need to check this. If you are going to have to complete the application in one go, make sure that you have drafted answers in advance AND that you have allowed sufficient time to answer all questions comprehensively. Read through the form before you start answering the questions. Some situations will provide better examples for some questions than others.
Treat it like a formal document: Just because the application is online does not mean it can be written like an email to a friend. Make sure your grammar and spelling are correct, and that you have used the correct punctuation where appropriate. Don’t use SMS shorthand.
Attach all documents as requested: Failure to do so can delay or harm your application. Particularly watch the format that attached documents must be in (e.g. Word, text or included in the body of the email). If requested to provide a transcript of results, a typed list of subjects and results is usually sufficient at this stage. If you aren’t sure whether or not an official transcript is required, contact the organisation and ask. Sometimes you will be expected to scan in the document.
Don’t give up: If you have computer problems or the website is not functioning correctly or you don’t understand the process, contact the organisation directly either by email or phone (Use the phone if the closing date is less than 48 hours away).
Make a copy of your application when you have finished. It doesn’t matter if you print it out as a hard copy or if you save it as a Word file, but you will need to be able to check your answers before the next stage of the process and you may not be able to access the form after the closing date.

Completing hard copy application forms:

Read the form completely before you answer any questions. If you don’t follow the guidelines and instructions that are given it suggests that you don’t really care about your application.
Make a few copies of the form so that you can practise writing your answers.
It may be better (i.e. easier to read) to print your answers rather than use a cursive script. Type any attached statements.
Have someone check your spelling and grammar before and after you fill out the form prior to sending it.
Don’t leave any blank spaces. If the question is not applicable to you, put N/A.
Label any attachments clearly, e.g. 'Question 6: My Career Goal'.
Include a covering letter. Unless specifically asked not to, you should also include a copy of your resumé.