A job application: what is it?

An official document designed by employers for job seekers to complete in response to a vacancy is called a job application. Applications for jobs may be printed or submitted online, and they ask you to respond to questions about your qualifications and other details from your cover letter and resume.

Types of job applications

Other application formats are still in use, despite the growing popularity of digital job applications. When applying for a job, you may come across the following kinds of applications:

• In-person: People applying for jobs in sales or hospitality frequently do so in person. Usually, candidates can complete this kind of application right away, and after doing so, they may have an in-person interview that same day.
• Paper: When applying for a job, candidates can either print their applications from an internet source or receive them on paper, which they can then mail to the employer.
• Online: Usually, a link in the job posting or the company’s website is used to complete an online application.
• Email: When it comes to emailed job applications, a company may have a standard form available on their website for applicants to complete and attach to a separate email sent to a hiring manager along with their resume and cover letter.

Common job application elements

Job applications can vary from company to company, but there are a few common elements you might encounter:

• Name, address and contact information: Include your full name, home address or general location of residence and the best methods to contact you, such as email, phone number and possibly a link to your professional profile.
• United States citizenship/veteran status: This is important for employers to know about for tax and other legal purposes affecting the hiring process, such as forms to complete for sponsoring non-U.S. citizens. Employers also might be passionate about hiring veterans or offer incentives.
• Educational background: Specific sections might include names and locations of institutions, years attended, degree(s) acquired, GPA and relevant coursework.
• Past employment: Potential sections include company name and location, supervisor information, years employed and specific job duties.
• Company-specific questions: A job application might also include company-tailored questions similar to those you’d encounter during an in-person interview, such as “What makes you qualified for this position?”
• Verification statement and signature: Toward the end of a job application, you might encounter a statement to acknowledge each piece of information in the application is truthful and accurate. Your signature is likely the last component, whether written in person or typed out in a digital form.

Why employers use job applications

Employers use job applications because it provides them with accurate data from which they can equally judge candidates’ credentials. Resumes and cover letters are a unique way for candidates to display their personal details, professional experience and acquired skills.Candidates can take advantage of formatting tools and free resume templates to make their qualifications stand out, but these creative methods also may make it difficult for employers to weigh comparative qualifications for each applicant. That’s why employers enlist the help of uniform job applications, as they can create a list of questions for an even comparison. This also eliminates time spent sifting through resumes and cover letters to find the same information.Similarly, when employers use a job application, especially in an online format, they can upload these forms to an applicant tracking system (ATS) and automate their search for keywords, degree types, specific skills or previous jobs to narrow down candidates to interview.

Tips for filling out a job application

You should keep the following tips in mind while completing a job application to present yourself professionally to employers:

Gather important documents

Ensure you have all of your job-related documents accessible before you start to fill out your application. This is especially important if you are filling out an application at the job site, but having the correct documents organized and nearby can also help ease the process of filling out an online application. Documents might include your updated resume, names and contact information of references or former employers and your Social Security number for background checks.

Read through instructions

By reading over the application in its entirety, you can figure out what types of information the employer is requesting. This can help you determine any additional documents to gather, as well as where to place certain information such as past employment or references so you prevent yourself from repeating these details later.

Fill in blank answer boxes

You’ll want to present yourself as an energetic and detail-oriented candidate, so if you leave certain boxes blank, employers could get the wrong impression about your work ethic or even your commitment to the open role. If you encounter a question that doesn’t apply to you, simply write “not applicable” so it indicates that you’ve read every question.

Include detailed responses

With the previous tip in mind, make sure to give a detailed response to every question that applies specifically to you and your qualifications. Employers may or may not also use your resume to weigh your employability, so you should contribute just as much detail to your job application answers as your resume—and they should match.

Refrain from specific salary expectations

Some job applications might ask for a salary range, but if you have the opportunity to make an additional comment, you should include the phrase “Open to negotiation” or a similar sentiment. This is more attractive to employers and indicates your flexibility.

Review for potential errors

Just like your resume and cover letter, you should devote a specific amount of time to check for errors and correct any grammar, punctuation or factual errors to give yourself the best chance at continuing through the hiring process.