Graduate Careers Australia

Application Forms

Completing Online Applications

The following is some advice to bear in mind when completing online applications:

• Consider starting the process early – it can take time
• Ensure you have cheap and reliable access to the internet, perhaps at your university.
• Browse the organisation's website and application form to get an overview of their requirements.
• Complete responses offline and cut and paste.
• Edit as you would for a paper application.
• Ask someone else to read your responses and to give you feedback from an employer's point of view.
• Use the spell checker.
• Research the organisation: What skills are they seeking? Do you meet the selection criteria? What type of person is an ideal 'fit'? What has been happening in the organisation?
• Tailor every application to the needs of each organisation. Try to find out how the organisation will search and select applications. Will they use keyword searches or a backend tool that scores responses (eg. distinction results will score higher than passes and 3 years of part-time work will score higher than 1 year)?
• Identify who the contact person is. This may be difficult if an agency is handling the online process. Contact the contact person and ask an intelligent question that shows you have an understanding of the requirements of the position.
  Don't ask a question for which the answer is obvious or which could easily have been found on the organisation's website.
  
• Use professional business language in any telephone and email contact with the organisation.
• Ensure your email address and answering machine messages reflect the professional image you want to convey.
• Save regularly when you are completing the application.
• Save a copy of each application you submit and make a note of any contact you have with the organisation in relation to your application.
• Phone to confirm application has been received and save the record of acknowledgement of your application just in case there is a problem.

Being Competitive
Whatever type of application you are required to submit, or the style, format and content that you choose for the presentation of your talents, writing away for a graduate or vacation position is a competitive process; therefore you should treat every application as if it is your first – review, revise and update on an ongoing basis. A well prepared application will encourage a prospective employer to want to meet you face-to-face. Having gained this attention in the form of a job interview offer then you must develop the skill to sell yourself in person. Your job application will get you in the door - now you’ve got to close the deal!

• Types of Application Forms
• Completing Online Applications