- When you arrive at a potential employer to fill out an application, bring everything you will need. You don't want to ask to borrow a pen, for example. Bring one with blue or black ink--leave those with purple, green, pink and glitter ink behind.
Have all the information you'll need about previous employers, including the dates you worked there, to whom you reported, their address, phone number and your reason for leaving. If you have volunteered, bring that information too: organization name, address, phone number and dates of service.
Bring the full names and contact information of your personal references; you'll also need to know what positions your professional references hold and where.
Don't forget the names of the schools you attended, the dates, and the diplomas, certificates or degrees you earned. - Read the application, including all of the directions, before you write anything. Then print clearly, staying within the boxes or on the lines provided.
Write something on every line. If a question doesn't apply to you, either put a line through the blank or write N/A for "Not Applicable." You want the potential employer to know that you read every word of the application, that you can follow directions.
Indicate the position you are applying for rather than writing "open" or "anything." If there are gaps in your employment history, explain them (for example, write "attending school"). If asked about your desired salary, write "open" or "negotiable." Salary is sometimes used as a screening device, and you want to be as flexible as possible.
Do not forget to sign and date the application. - The phone number you give on your application should be answered at all times by you, someone who can take a message for you, or your voicemail. Make sure your voicemail greeting is appropriate: no clever jingles, obscene jokes or profanity. The last thing you want to do is offend a potential employer and cost yourself an interview. Consider something simple like, "You've reached 123-456-7890. Please leave me a message and I'll call you back as soon as I can. Thanks!"
Let your references know that someone may be calling about you. The references will appreciate the heads-up, and the employer will think you're untruthful if your reference says, "I don't know who he is" or "I don't know him that well." - Before turning in the job application, read your answers. Common application mistakes can be caught and fixed if you proofread.
Look for misspelled words, poor grammar, slang, messy writing, incomplete information, crossed-out writing (use an erasable pen or correction fluid), directions that weren't followed correctly, overlapping employment dates without explanations, negative words like "quit" or "fired" (consider writing "job ended--will discuss" instead, and be prepared to do so in the interview) and a missing date and signature at the end.
If possible, attach your resume and letters of recommendation to the application, writing your name and phone number at the top of all attachments in case they become separated. Compare the application to your resume, ensuring that all dates, names and titles on your application match those on your resume.
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