application form

[stronglead]

hey guys

quick question

i am starting my applications to companys etc i was wondering if you knew how much roughly you should wrtie about yourself i dont want to do to much or do they want a life story??

cheers
dunc

[chris]

Re: application form

I would write as much as you can to be honest - Its a good idea to use the questions on the carnival, CMT application forms as a guide.

I wrote about 3 pages when I applied to Viking / Trinity House although as an older cadet I had a bit more to write about, change of career/lifestyle etc.

[stronglead]

Re: application form

orite yh well i thought i was doing to much though as i have had 8 years in the cadets and have done alot of stuff i was concerned i was over doing it

[size4riggerboots]

Re: application form

3 pages?!?! Jeeze! Out of interest, Chris, did they give you an interview?

Generally the recommended length is one page for a covering letter and 2 sides for your CV, don't waffle, they'll get bored and chuck it in the bin pile.

What you need to make sure of is that on your CV you put the most relevant stuff at the top, ie, skills and experience, then go into qualifications and interests, then on the other side list your job history, including the primary skills and roles involved in each. That's not a set formula, but it worked for me!

In the covering letter you should go in to why you want to do this, what led you to that choice and what you can bring to the job, one side should be sufficient, all you wan to do with it is make an impact and make them want to call you in for an interview, which is where you can expand on the stuff you say in your letter.

A lot of companies I applied to with CV and letter simply sent me back on of their application forms, which was a bit disheartening as I'd already given them all of that info on my CV and letter, but TH called me up and offered me an interview within the week. The online applicatins I did (Maersk and Carnival) took aaaaages to get back to me, and I had been in college for a while by the time they called and asked if I was still interested. But if you really want to work for them, it's going to be worth waiting for!

[chris]

Re: application form

interview-yeah phone and in the HQ - quite lengthy as I like to chat

I was speaking with a younger Trinity cadet and he did the cv and covering letter method you mentioned

[size4riggerboots]

Re: application form

Fair play, at the end of the day getting the interview is the only objective, so if it gets you there, brilliant!

[stronglead]

Re: application form

how much should i write about myself on a online application form???

[chris]

Re: application form

until you run out of characters... seriously, just put down as much relevant stuff as you can to support your application.

Its worth taking the time to think about your qualities, experience and how it will be of use to use an officer, then just recycle it on the different applications you make

[stronglead]

Re: application form

orite yh thanks as you may have seen with another topic of mine i have colour defincey so i am trying to paint the picture of yes i have this but look at what i have done and can do and what qualifications i have

[effiestephy]

Re: application form

I had one full page (speculative letter), and a copy of my CV. Clyde sent me an application form then I got my interview, Viking called me to arrange an interview, Trinity House called & emailed, and SSTG said I didn't have the correct grades...and told me to apply later once I got all the qualifications...although I did have all the qualifications needed haha. DON'T WRITE TOO MUCH. One page, keep everything brief, formal too...around 4/5 paragraphs I think I did on my spec letter.

[stronglead]

Re: application form

orite thanks i wont be writing clyde due to my eyes but I can start trying others well a hope they dont have the same rules as clyde do

[Arbi]

Re: application form

Stronglead, how old are you? The reason I ask is that the government will have a careers advice service that can help you put together an application. In England it is divided by age (Up to age 19 you can see a Connexions adviser, after that you would use the NextStep service). In Scotland I believe they have an all-age careers service.

This is the link, they should have an office near you: http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk

You can talk to an adviser who can give you tips on writing a CV and giving you tips on interviews etc.

[stronglead]

Re: application form

yh theres a office in my town i might nip along and have a wee chat with them thanks