To help you we have put together a start to finish description of the whole process to guide you along the way.
 

First contact

Often a job application will begin with a phone call or an email. This phone call is rarely used by the employer as an interview opportunity, but as every employer is different, have your CV in front of you when you call and be prepared to answer questions about your experience or suitability for the job.

You may be asked to email your CV (sometimes you are asked to complete an application form instead of sending a CV. See later). If you do not have access to the internet, go to an internet café and send it from there, almost all business takes place on-line in the UK nowadays, so make sure that you bring an electronic version of your CV with you when you come and check your email account regularly.

Your CV should contain your name, contact details, skills (e.g. IT skills, soft skills such as good team-work) education history with dates, qualifications, work history with accurate dates (month and year) and some interests or hobbies listed at the end to give the employer some idea of what you are like outside of work (Tip: if your interests are things like clubbing until 5am you may want to consider leaving that out...).

At this stage in the application process the employer will be looking at your qualifications, skills and work experience to decide if they will ask you in for an interview. In the UK the employer will want to check your qualifications and references themselves once they have offered you the job. This means that an employer does not expect to see references or certificates from you in an application pack or with your CV, at this early stage. You will need to send them later, if you are offered a job. Some employers may not want to check your references, but, depending on the job or the industry, this is bad employment practice.

A word of advice: don’t send a photo with your CV, it is completely unnecessary in the UK. Some employment agencies will ask to take your photo, but this will only be used to remind them who you are, and shouldn’t be sent to a potential employer.
 

Application form

You may be asked to complete an application form. An application form is important because it asks you the specific questions the employer wants to have the answers to. It is also signed by you; this is a declaration that everything you have written down is correct and true. Even though the contestant that won The Apprentice in 2008 lied on his CV, this is not the way forward to get a job. Be honest about yourself; the truth comes out in the end!

The application form may ask for your National Insurance number/work rights in the UK, if you have any disabilities or medical illnesses that should be taken into consideration by the employer, if you have a criminal record, what your qualifications are, what skills you have, and what your work experience is.

Often there is a section called Personal Statement or Supporting Statement. This section gives you the opportunity to say more about yourself and how you feel you meet the requirements of the job. This part of the application is very important for most employers. Here you can mention your experience, knowledge and skills, the combination of which mean you are ideal for the job! This is where you can mention what we call “transferable skills”. This means you can describe the skills you have that you believe will be relevant and useful in the job even if you don’t have exactly matching experience. In the UK, more than in many other countries, it is expected that you will sell yourself a little bit. For example, it wouldn’t be unusual to express how committed you would be to the job, that you are very willing to learn, are an excellent team-player and also work well independently.

One of the most important things to think about in the Supporting Statement, is that you address the points in the person specification (if you have been given one) very methodically. It may seem unnatural to you to do this, but this is often what is expected. If the employer has taken the time to tell you what they want it is expected that you take the time to tell them how you meet those criteria. Remember, it is often the case that an employer will receive a lot of applications for one job and if it is difficult for them to find out the information they want on your application form, they may move to the next application and discard yours.

Interviews

When you are invited for interview there are some basics that you should check out. Make sure you know where you are going and be there on time. It sounds obvious, but lots of people get this wrong and it does make a bad impression from the start, even if you are the perfect person for the job otherwise! Dress appropriately for the type of job you are going for: it would be wrong to go for an interview at a bank in jeans and T-shirt, just as it would be wrong to go for an interview on a building site in a suit!

At the interview, depending on the job, you may be asked to do some tests, these could be numeracy or litereracy tests, IT skills tests or more complex tests, depending on the nature of the job. You could be interviewed by a panel (a small group of people) or just one person. This could be very formal or more like a conversation. It is a good idea to ask what format the interview will take when you are invited to interview.

You may be interviewed once and made a job offer after the first interview. It is also not that uncommon to be invited for a second interview, or even a third interview!

See our Find a section for agencies and services to help you. 

By John Hillman

USEFUL WORDS

To look for work in…
To seek a career in…
Application form
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Covering letter = a letter containing extra information that you send with your CV
Respond to a job ad(vertisement)
Send in a CV / application form
Be invited to interview
Have / attend an interview
Have a second interview
Assessment Centre = usually a full day at the company’s premises where you take part in group activities and are observed by the prospective employer
Take up references = the employer contacts you referees to ask them for information/their opinion about you
Receive a job offer
Accept / reject a job offer

Analysing a Job Ad

Ambitious Achievers(1)
Up to £28k(2) basic(3)

Money motivated, eager, looking for work in a dynamic, fast-moving industry?
We are looking for ambitious, dynamic sales professionals with the talent and drive(4) to develop a rewarding(5) career within the IT industry.  You will work in close-knit(6) teams, maintaining and developing relationships with a diverse(7) range of clients.

Ideally you will possess some previous IT sales experience(8) and a good knowledge of computers.  Most importantly you will have a strong desire to succeed.

If you fit this description(9) and are seeking a lucrative(10) career in IT sales then call Susan Smart or Pete Thompson on 01927 383271.


1  people determined to succeed and achieve great things
2  twenty-eight thousand pounds
3  guaranteed minimum salary without overtime or bonuses
4  strong motivation
5  giving you a lot back
6  working in a close relationship
7  of different types
8  experience selling things
9  have these qualities
10 producing a lot of money