Think about this: An online application form can typically take two to three hours to complete. So, if you’re ready to submit it within 20 minutes, chances are, you’re not putting in enough effort into your application form.
Yes, online applications are incredibly time-intensive. But doing it well will take you one step ahead to getting that coveted interview.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to complete an online application. All you have to do is answer all the questions and give explanations for certain sections, such as job history and skill sets. But acing an online application will take more effort. This is why we have a quick guide on excelling an online application so it doesn’t get immediately dismissed by a recruiter.
Show, don't just tell
If you just say something like: “I gained commercial awareness through my internship”, recruiters won’t be able to accurately assess you or determine if you’re suitable enough for the job to warrant an interview. Instead, use specific examples to show them what you’ve got!
Be a STAR
The STAR technique is a great way of keeping your answers concise and to the point, especially when you are asked for an example of when you used a particular skill. Write down detailed information that will enhance your application and that you haven’t mentioned elsewhere, such as the positions of responsibility you’ve held in the past.
Don't just copy and paste
Never copy and paste the answer you used in your last application because chances are, it won’t really address the question you’re being asked, and you’re very likely to accidentally include specific information that’s not relevant to the current question!
They will know that the answer was a repost, and it will look very bad on you.
Check, check and check
Many otherwise impressive applications are often let down by simple errors, such as typos and grammatical mistakes. This is why you should fill out your answers in a word-processing programme like Microsoft Word first. This will allow you to take your time to draft your answers and make multiple checks. Additionally, not all forms allow you to save your responses, so drafting the answers first and saving them before the session could time out makes sense.
