polozova_vp_english_for_masters_degree_students

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				Get a second (or third) opinion. Ask friends or family members to review your
				resume and cover letter for typos. They may be able to point out things that are
				missing, or items that could be rephrased.
				If possible, get advice from someone working in the field you are
				applying for. Speaking to recruiters or hiring managers may be beneficial as well, as
				they are familiar with the qualities and qualifications employers are looking for.

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		7
		Locate references. Though you may not have to provide a list of references right
		away, it is wise to tap people early to ask whether they would consider being a
		professional reference for you.
		It is recommended that you secure at least three references. At least two
		of these references should be people whom you have worked with and who can speak
		to your job performance.
		Be sure you have your references' updated contact information, including
		mailing and email addresses, phone number, current title, and current company.[3]

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8

Apply. Once you have fine-tuned your resume and cover letter, it is time to begin the application process. Applications are typically submitted in one of three ways:

In person. Bring a packet containing all your materials to the prospective employer's workplace. It is recommended that you ask ahead of time for the best time to deliver your materials. When you arrive, ask to speak to the hiring manager and try to hand your materials to them personally. This allows the hiring manager to put a face to the name. It is recommended that you dress professionally and present yourself well.

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			9
				Follow up. Checking on the status of your application shows your interest in the
				position and ensures that your application materials have made it to the appropriate
				person. Calling right away can seem demanding and off-putting. Follow these
				suggestions for reaching out:
				Pay attention to job "close date." Most jobs posted online will have a
				posted closing date. Calling the hiring manager before this date can make you seem
				overly eager and desperate.
				If there is no close date, a good rule of thumb is to make contact one week
				after application submission.
				When you do call or email the hiring or HR manager, try to make the tone
				of you communication friendly. Avoid demanding comments like, "I haven't been
				contacted yet." Instead, ask questions such as "Have any decisions been made yet?" or
				"Can you tell me a little more about the hiring time frame?" Asking if you might
				contact them again in one week if no word has been given is a polite way to be
				proactive.[4]

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What to include in a job application form

The form should give the employer an insight into you as a person and encourage them to want to meet you to find out more.

All applicants will be asked to fill out the same form, so use the following typical sections to present evidence of how you've developed relevant skills and gained valuable experience through your academic, work and personal life:

Educational background - you'll usually be expected to provide information on institutions attended, courses taken and qualifications gained.

Work experience - you may be asked to describe or list the main duties of your current job, or any positions that you've held in the past.

Competency-based questions - this is where you get to show how you meet the person specification for the role, by promoting yourself as the best candidate for the job.

Personal statement - if a supporting statement is required, this should be wellstructured - possibly using headings to set out how you meet the job criteria.

Most applications require a minimum of two referees; usually an employer and an academic tutor.

Never lie on your CV or job application. Not only will you demonstrate your dishonesty to a potential employer, but there can be serious consequences too. For example, altering your degree grade from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is classed as degree fraud and can result in a prison sentence.

Style tips

Your application can make a strong impression if you:

use power verbs, such as 'transformed', 'delivered', 'achieved' and 'inspired';

choose descriptive words like 'effective', 'consistent', 'determined' and 'adaptable';

focus on the questions asked rather than waffling or being too vague;

select appropriate examples of your achievements from past experience;

demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the role.

Once you've completed the form, check through the final version to ensure that there are no spelling or grammar errors. You may want to ask someone else, such as a university careers adviser, to read it too.

The key to a successful job application is to be succinct, positive and clear, while satisfying each of the points listed in the person specification. To find out how to achieve this, see what skills do employers want?

Disclosing personal information

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You're not obliged to divulge personal details regarding your age, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation, and so shouldn't be asked to do so here. Only include information that you feel would help with your application and support your suitability for the role.

You may be asked to complete an equal opportunities form. This information is treated confidentially and will not be used as part of the selection process. The form is normally separate from the application, and used solely for monitoring the employer's commitment to equality and diversity.

Online job applications

While some electronic application forms have to be completed in one sitting, many systems now allow you to register your details and save your progress as you go along. However, be aware that employers may be able to view partially completed forms.

Here are a few useful tips for completing online job applications:

If you decide to cut and paste your answers, be careful not to include names of other organisations that you've applied to previously, as this will result in instant rejection.

You should always read the supporting documentation very carefully, answering all questions (including sub-questions, if there are any) and sticking to the word count.

Print off a draft copy of your application form before submitting it, as this gives you the opportunity to proofread it for mistakes while ensuring that every section has been filled in correctly. You may also want to keep a copy for your own records.

Allow plenty of time to complete it, remembering to submit the form and all supporting documents (including references) by the deadline.

Job application forms

A job application form is your chance to show employers that you're perfectly suited to the role and deserve to be shortlisted for an interview

What to include in a job application form

The form should give the employer an insight into you as a person and encourage them to want to meet you to find out more.

All applicants will be asked to fill out the same form, so use the following typical sections to present evidence of how you've developed relevant skills and gained valuable experience through your academic, work and personal life:

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Educational background - you'll usually be expected to provide information on institutions attended, courses taken and qualifications gained.

Work experience - you may be asked to describe or list the main duties of your current job, or any positions that you've held in the past.

Competency-based questions - this is where you get to show how you meet the person specification for the role, by promoting yourself as the best candidate for the job.

Personal statement - if a supporting statement is required, this should be wellstructured - possibly using headings to set out how you meet the job criteria.

Most applications require a minimum of two referees; usually an employer and an academic tutor.

Never lie on your CV or job application. Not only will you demonstrate your dishonesty to a potential employer, but there can be serious consequences too. For example, altering your degree grade from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is classed as degree fraud and can result in a prison sentence.

Style tips

Your application can make a strong impression if you:

use power verbs, such as 'transformed', 'delivered', 'achieved' and 'inspired';

choose descriptive words like 'effective', 'consistent', 'determined' and 'adaptable';

focus on the questions asked rather than waffling or being too vague;

select appropriate examples of your achievements from past experience;

demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the role.

Once you've completed the form, check through the final version to ensure that there are no spelling or grammar errors. You may want to ask someone else, such as a university careers adviser, to read it too.

The key to a successful job application is to be succinct, positive and clear, while satisfying each of the points listed in the person specification. To find out how to achieve this, see what skills do employers want?

Disclosing personal information

You're not obliged to divulge personal details regarding your age, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation, and so shouldn't be asked to do so here. Only include information that you feel would help with your application and support your suitability for the role.

You may be asked to complete an equal opportunities form. This information is treated confidentially and will not be used as part of the selection process. The form is

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normally separate from the application, and used solely for monitoring the employer's commitment to equality and diversity.

Example questions and answers

The trickier application questions are not as daunting when you know how to answer them. Take a look at our examples and give yourself a great chance of getting an interview

Some sections of an application form contain questions that require straightforward, factual answers. These include those that enquire about your personal details, interests and work experience.

However, you'll find that there are also competency-based questions; these require you to provide examples of situations where you made certain decisions.

Employers will be looking at how you explain the reasoning behind them, as this brings your key skills and personality traits to the fore.

Here are ten job questions that you're likely to face, along with typical responses.

Question 1: Why do you want to work here?

How to answer: The employer is trying to figure out your motivations and whether you've given serious consideration to your application. You need to show that you've done your research and understand exactly what the job entails. Explain how it fits your long-term career plans.

For example:

Your company clearly stood out when I was researching the leading electronics companies in the country. I am aware of your dedication to the development of innovative consumer products and I believe that this role would be the perfect fit considering my strong design background.

Question 2: Why do you think you are suitable for this role?

How to answer: You need to describe how your skills, knowledge and experience match the job outline, while also explaining your motivation and goals.

For example:

I have always wanted to work as an exhibition designer for a museum that embraces cultural changes and provides a sensory experience for its visitors. My degree helped to develop key artistic and organisational skills, while the experience that I gained from working at my local museum has been the ideal preparation for a career in this

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field. I would relish the opportunity to be part of the team that works on the concepts for your upcoming exhibits and collections.

Question 3: Briefly outline your relevant skills and experience

How to answer: Even if you haven't had any direct experience, you can still highlight any transferable skills that relate to the role. Turn your answer into a positive by making it clear that you want the job in order to gain experience in the area.

For example:

Although I haven't had the chance to gain work experience at an advertising agency yet, I have already created high level concepts that have been used by leading brands such as Marks & Spencer. At university, I was the copywriter for a number of students' union marketing campaigns and have generated interest in my work through my website, which I designed myself.

Question 4: Give an example of when you have worked under pressure

How to answer: You need to prove that you've handled deadlines successfully in the past. Describe how you overcame obstacles that you had no control over.

For example:

During my work placement last year I faced various conflicting demands on my time due to the fact that my role was inter-departmental. One particular week, the pressures did threaten to get overwhelming as a number of key staff members were off sick. However, this allowed me to show that I could rise to the challenge. I left the company with praise from my peers as I always gave my best no matter what.

Question 5: What is your greatest achievement?

How to answer: Choose something outside of your academic life that's uniquely significant to you. This is an assessment of your attitude and motivations, to find out if your values are compatible with those of the organisation.

For example:

When my mother was diagnosed with a serious illness last year, it was obviously a traumatic and stressful time for the whole family. Even though I hadn't done any sport since school, I decided to sign up for a run and raise money to increase awareness of the disease. I trained hard for a number of months and kept to a strict eating regime. I managed to raise nearly £3,000 for the charity and finished the race in a time I could never have dreamed was possible.

Question 6: Give an example of how you made a positive contribution to a team and what the outcome was

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How to answer: The employer is checking that you've experience of working in a cohesive team environment. Describe a scenario where you had to draw on strengths and qualities in order to accomplish a group task. Explain your particular role, how weaknesses were overcome and what you learned.

For example:

During my time in the university film society, we decided to run a series of workshops for the local community. My role involved planning the daily activities, ensuring that the intensive course covered everything we wanted to include. While some tasks did overrun, the event was a resounding success with attendees remarking on how well it had been organised.

Question 7: Describe an occasion when you've had to communicate complex information

How to answer: This is a test of your ability to analyse complicated information effectively, and communicate it in a way that the audience can understand. Set the scene and describe your thinking process in a step-by-step way.

For example:

For my scientific research project, I had to present the ideas behind my thinking to the rest of the class. While presentations were common at university, this was a particularly complex proposal. I had to filter the relevant information and summarise my work, delivering this at a level the other students could appreciate and understand.

Question 8: Tell us about the biggest change that you've faced and explain how you handled it

How to answer: The employer will be looking to find out about your attitude to change, as well as your ability to problem-solve and overcome obstacles, so you need to provide a significant example that demonstrates your adaptability in this area.

For example:

In my summer job working in a busy aftersales department I inevitably had to deal with some tough customers. This was my first real job, and I had to learn to successfully negotiate and interact with many people throughout the working day. On many occasions, I was the only staff member manning the desk so I had to cope with the pressure that this role demanded. I now feel that I am better equipped to handle whatever challenges come my way.

Question 9: What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

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