If you haven’t already been disappointed with the process of having to complete a job application after laboring for hours and weeks to develop the perfect resume, by reading this you are more than likely never to suffer this disappointment. Lucky you!
Once you’ve entered the job hunt as a “career seeker”, graduating from such positions as a bellboy or a bagger at the grocery store there’s a new level of pride and effort going into each job you pursue. A common thought process is - “I haven’t filled out an employment application since I was in high school." There is still a very good chance, in spite of producing a resume, that your responsibility to complete an application is still going to be a required step in the process.
Don’t let this process take you by surprise and allow you to appear unprepared when it comes time to do this.
Many employers provide an online job application and will request that you complete one prior to attending an interview with them. Others may ask you to fill one out on the day that you arrive for an interview or when you drop off your resume in person. Here are a few points and facts that a savvy and successful job seeker, who will be competing against you, may already know.
You must always be prepared to provide the information required on a job application form that is not already on your resume. These are:
- Addresses, phone numbers and names of contacts for your previous employers
- Your reason for leaving previous employers
- Names, addresses and phone numbers for your personal and professional references
- Contact information for two emergency contact people
- Names and addresses of your high school, colleges and other educational institutions you have attended
- Your grade point averages or GPA
Hobbies or pastimes, special skills and abilities unrelated to the job but relevant perhaps to those sharing the same interests in the company. Perhaps your skill in basket weaving will come in handy around the holidays or your years as a bowling coach will make you a shoe-in for helping the slumping company team.
Another word to the wise: Do not expect to breeze through your job application with a rubber stamp saying: “See Resume”. Hiring managers can see this as laziness, an indication of contempt for filling out the job application itself, or worse yet, that you’ve got something to hide or you simply don’t know all of the information they are asking for.
Your clarity and neatness including your handwriting (if you’re filling out the job application in person) WILL be observed regardless of how qualified you are.
It’s your job and responsibility to provide every piece of information that they are asking for which is legal and just. This of course excludes questions about your marital status, religious affiliation, etc.. Don’t be caught by surprise.
Besides bringing the necessary information for filling out the job application, always bring extra copies of your resume if you have one, a listing of your references and of course your address book to your interview.
