OXFORD

APPLICATION FORMS
FOR EMPLOYMENT AND
FURTHER STUDY
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
D
Many applications, both for employment and further study, now require an application form. In
the same way that a cover letter should be both persuasive and tailored to the position, you are
more likely to be successful if you send off targeted applications, rather than sending off a mass
of near-identical forms.
Application forms usually include questions that prompt
similar content to a good cover letter and/or competency
based interview questions (see pp.53-54), eg:
] Why are you interested in this role/organisation/career?
] What are your three strongest skills for this role?
] Provide an example of a time when … you have taken a
leadership role.
] Outside your course, what extra-curricular activities are you
involved in?
] Which relevant transferable skills can you demonstrate?
If the application form is online, we advise that you create your
] Bring your answers and job description to review with a
Career Advisers at The Careers Service.
] Thoroughly check for typos in Word.
] Ensure you don’t lose your answers if the server ‘times out’.
] Create a bank of material to help you answer similar
questions asked by different companies - but always take
time to tailor responses and do not be tempted to copy
and paste directly from one application to another.
] Save your answers, to review before interview.
Always follow the instructions given. For example, if you
are asked to write to a word count be sure to stick to that:
consider using bullet points, concise sentences and active
verbs – as you would on a CV. But never take a shortcut by
simply including your CV - if a recruiter wants your CV, they will
ask for it.
Personal statements are often required if an organisation has
listed the skills and experience needed for the role in detail.
Aim to show how you meet each item on the list. Be guided
by their sub-headings and consider using these to organise
your own statement if feasible – making it even easier for
See the feature overleaf which illustrates how to approach the
personal statement in the context of an application for further
study.
MORE INFORMATION AND EXAMPLES:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/application-forms
FURTHER STUDY
APPLICATIONS FOR
FURTHER STUDY
For most courses you should apply direct
to the university using their online application system.
In the UK most further study applications open during
the autumn with deadlines between Christmas and
Easter, but some do close earlier so check individual
closing dates carefully. Some vocational courses have a
centralised application system, notably graduate entry
medicine and teacher training courses (via UCAS) and the
Graduate Diploma in Law (via Law CAB).
Details differ between courses and institutions, but you
are likely to need some or all of the following:
] Application form.
] Personal statement and/or research objective.
] Transcripts of university exam results.
] Two or three references.
] CV.
] Examples of written work.
] Results of standardised tests (if relevant).
] Payment of a fee.
MORE INFORMATION:
For guidance on types of further study, choosing a course,
studying abroad, fees and funding, see pp.26-27, and
our guidance online:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/further-study
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 49