A Job Application is a standardized form completed by individuals who want to apply for a position within a company. As one of the crucial steps in the recruitment process (see our Recruitment Process Flowchart for more information), it allows the future employer to find out basic information about the job candidate and verify the accuracy of the details the applicant shared in the document, such as academic attainments and previous employment.
If you are searching for a Job Application, you can download our printable template and tailor it according to your specific needs.
An effective application will describe your skills and experience to make you an appealing candidate for a job. It can also highlight your personal characteristics if you put focus on your ambitions and plans and show how they fall in line with the goals of the company so that your chances to get a call for a personal interview are maximized.
Here is how you properly complete a Job Application:
Visit the company website or call them to find out whether there are specific instructions for a Job Application template. Often, paper applications are not accepted, and you have to fill out an application online. You might need to prepare a separate Resume template - a unique document that lists your academic and professional achievements. Additionally, you may be asked to sign an Authorization to Release Employee Information - you disclose confidential details about your work experience which requires your consent to the release of employment-related information - dates of employment, description of job duties, etc.
A Job Application Cover Letter is a short statement that introduces your Job Application and lists your contact details for the recipient. Follow these steps to compose a Cover Letter:
Follow up on a Job Application within a few days after you submit your documents. It will help to boost up your chances to get a quick response from a potential employer. It is possible to call the human resources department of the company or the individual to whom you have sent your application. However, the best way to follow up is to send an email - especially, if you do not know the best time to call the hiring manager.
You can compose a Job Application follow-up email and send it directly to the hiring manager. Add a title - for instance, "follow up on a job application + title of the position". Confirm that you are still interested in the job and remind the recipient why you would be the best choice for this position. Keep the letter concise and polite, avoid negativity, do not ask for an immediate answer, but offer to keep in contact.
The hiring process usually takes one or two weeks. However, certain companies can look for certain employees quickly - depends on what is happening with the business and how urgent an open vacancy is. In any case, it is risky to wait for just one employer after you send one application. While you are waiting for a response from a particular business, do not stop searching for a job - keep applying for other positions to increase the number of options for employment.
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