I’ve just finished reading application forms for a job vacancy @lshtmlibrary. We always get lots of applications, but unfortunately lots of them aren’t very good. /1

The number of applicants who leave me wanting to bang my head on the desk because they’ve not provided the best information is really infuriating. So, here’s some tips I noted while shortlisting. In no particlar order. /2

As far as I know, the system used for many public sector jobs has an online application system and you have to provide information on how you meet a number of essential and desirable criteria required for the job. You have to write a short paragraph for each criteria. /3

In a lot of these online systems, the answer to each criteria is scored. Each application is read and scored by at least two people. Interviews are offered to people who get the highest score. /4

. @LSHTMlibrary our scores are 0: does not meet criteria, 1: partially meets criteria, 2: fully meets criteria, 3: exceeds criteria. I rarely give anyone a 3, but often have to give a 0. /5

Answer the question you’ve been set, not the question you wish you had been set. Break the question down and make sure you’ve covered all aspects of it. /6

If it asks for evidence for good written and oral communication skills, give examples of where you’ve used oral communication skills and ANOTHER example of where you’ve used written communication skills. /7

Talk about what YOU did. If you worked as part of a team, on a project, don’t just talk generally about the project or what the team did. I want to know what YOU did, what YOU brought to the team. /8

Include the impact of what YOU did. What were the outcomes? /9

If something as important as your application form is obviously done in a rush, is strewn with errors, or is full of generic waffle, how can I tell your work won’t be the same? Don’t give the recruitment panel a reason to have doubts about you and the quality of your work. /10

Remember the people reading your application know nothing about you or your previous skills and experience. They may not be familiar with your previous employer and the context in which your job was done. Remember to add these details, if relevant. /11

Read the job description carefully and think about the tasks and responsibilities of the role. Try to use examples in your application which involve similar tasks or responsibilities. /12

For example, if it’s a frontline job with lots of interaction with users, give an example of working in a team on the frontline, of taking responsibility while on the frontline etc. /13

Try to include a variety of projects of tasks you’ve been involved in. Don’t reference the same project again and again. If you do, don’t just copy and paste the same sentences into different answers. Re-write to make sure your answer best shows how you meet that criteria. /14

Provide facts and figures where appropriate. I line-manage 10 people, I am in charge of an annual budget of £50k, I taught 10 information literacy sessions with 10-50 attendees, I checked references on 100 reading lists… /15

Check your grammar and your spelling. Check your grammar and your spelling. Check your grammar and your spelling. If the person spec asks for good written communication skills and good attention to detail, I will mark you down if your spelling and grammar are sloppy. /16

If the job asks for experience of working in a library, DO NOT say that you used to work in a bookshop. DO NOT say you used the library lots when you were a student. DO NOT say that you like books. On their own, this will not make you a good library worker. /17

If the job involves being responsible for an area of work, mention any recent changes within that area. This shows you’re up to date. If the area has associated legislation or guidelines, mention them. This shows you know the parameters within which you can work. /18

Don’t talk about social media or e-resources as being ‘innovative’ or ‘new’. E-journals have been around for 20+ years, Twitter for 10+ years. If you’ve used them in an innovative way, provide the context. /19

If you’re copying and pasting your answers into the application form, make sure you paste the correct answer to the correct question. Make sure you’ve pasted your final version of the answer into the application form, not your first draft. /20

Don’t start at the top and fill in the answers to the end. Fill in the answers out of sequence. Some applications are very long. It can sometimes be very obvious that applicants are running out of steam by the time they get to the end. /21

Answer ALL of the questions. Check you’ve answered all of the questions with your final version of your answer. /22

Read your application out loud. This helps you to spot errors in grammar, highlights issues with the flow, and makes repetition more obvious. /23

Be concise. If there isn’t a word limit, that doesn’t give you permission to write an essay for each answer. Providing concise information is a key skill, one or two short examples are fine. /24

Don’t just give examples where you were in charge, you come across as a bit of a control-freak. Your potential new line-manager will probably be reading the application, so make sure you come across as someone who is good to line-manage. /25

Try to include examples outside your immediate team. Have you worked with people from another department or institution? This shows you can apply your skills in other contexts. /26

As @epicbayj notes in her thread, refer to the wider context. This shows you understand the parameters in which you are working as well as the impact your work has. https://twitter.com/epicbayj/status/1349450947454525443
Good luck. /ends