Employers, what really stands out on an application form....?

Question

and what can really make the difference on being invited for an interview...?

Answer 1

Biggest plus is if you've worked the same sort of job before, especially for a direct competitor. Then after that it helps that you have the skills and education demonstrated that is called for in the job description.

Minuses are things like gaps in your employment history, vagueness about your academic history, incomplete contact info for previous employers and references, etc.

Answer 2

The first thing that stands out is your layout, if you can't do it find a buddy to do the type layout for your cv. DOn't use fancy typefaces but if you can get hold of type not commonly used such as ITC Officina Sans or Futura it will set your CV apart.
Secondly watch your spellings, proof read 5 times then get someone else to.
Getting invited to an interview is about having what they are looking for so you should have more than one cv ready to go. I use 2, one aimed at print the other at web design. Key thing is to use the same info but emphasise one over the other depending upon what you are applying for.
Keep personal data to a minimum. Apart from contacting you they don't need to know if you are married or single, what your NI number is or anything like that. Just your name, contact number and email address. Putting your home address might affect your chances of an interview if they feel it's too far a trek.
After your personal details have a paragraph that lists key skills and word it to emphasise your strengths that match their requirements.
Follow up with where you've worked with a short paragraph for each on what you were able to achieve with each job.
Then school and qualifications.

If you're filling in an application form, pay close attention to the requirements for the job. There will be essential requirements and then desired ones. When HR people filter applications the first thing to go is the forms without the essential requirements, then they look for the desired criteria.

The larger the firm, the less likely your form will be seen by people who know anything about what you are applying for so stick to the guidelines provided. That will get you to the interview where you can then impress the person who knows what you are talking about.
If they say use black ink, don't use blue your form will be binned instantly, if they say use Capital letters do it or you're next. If they say give examples to show management skills give an example don't go on and on about how good you are without mentioning a time, place and incident.

Answer 3

Honesty? Other than that a bit of voluntary work always goes down well as long as it has been done for the right reasons (i.e. not just doing it to make your CV look good). If you are going to do it make sure it is personal to you, it needn't be some great, well-known charity, it could be local doing something very small. Employers pick up on things like this as it gives them a better idea of you as an individual - what you are like outside of paid employment.

Answer 4

Spelling, ability to construct meaningful sentences, appropriate education (these days, a degree in a 'real' subject) and at least SOME experience in 'real work'.

Also, how long you were in your previous jobs.

I worked in a large Company and had the task of selecting candidates and running the first interview for the Department where I worked. Corporate H.R weeded out all the obvious no-hopes and I got about 30-50 CV's for every job.

After the 3rd interview I started putting the older Candidates at the top of the pile - when asked what had attracted them to apply, one child for the Dept. Co-ordinators job responded 'the flexi-hours 'cos sometimes I can't get into work in the morning and need to get home in time for Neighbours ... '

We always gave candidates some sort of practical test .. for Dept. Co-coordinator this involved doing 'Hotel Bookings' (on a PC) from a printed list - Miss Neighbours scored 13% - after the interview she asked when we wanted her to start ....

Mind you she wasn't the worst - one guy (about 24) applied for a full time Systems Analyst post involving travel to & working at customer sites in Europe & at the interview announced he needed a guarantee that he would be allowed to "work from home" every Monday and Wednesday to look after the kids (so why did he apply for a job where he would be working abroad for months at a time ??)

Answer 5

spelling ang grammer

although the one that really stood out was the one that in answer to the question "why do you think you would be perfect for this job?" put...

i wont be, but the job center made me apply.

oh yes and the guy who under the "other comments" section listed his entire criminal record for stealing from previous employers and then put a tirade about how no-one would give him a chance to prove he had turned over a new leaf.

Answer 6

If people are going to mention Spelling and Grammar in a reply they ought to proof read their answers first... I am more interested in the people that filter out the CV's and the reason for 'binning' them - especially if they are judging the CV's on presentation primarily and then suitability for the role

Answer 7

I hate to say it but penmanship and spelling make a strong first impression.

If I can read and understand the person's application, experience is my next focus.

Answer 8

Take your time, read all questions and answer properly. Example on a yes/no question they dont read it and just check something, those go in the trash by me. In a job you have to beable to follow directions.

Answer 9

Spelling
Neatness
The ability to answer the question and not try to bulls*it or ramble on

Answer 10

How much you care about getting a job will show in your penmanship