1. Talent Bank:
Amazing Applications &
Winning CVs
Talent Bank Team
Career Development Centre
careers@westminster.ac.uk

2. What will be covered
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Application forms in 6 simple steps
Application form Top tips
CV essentials
Getting the format right
CV language
CV top tips
What we see

3. Application forms in 6 steps
Step 1 What to expect
Step 2 Getting started
Step 3 Making your case
Step 4 Evidencing skills
Step 5 Additional information
Step 6 Applying online

4. Application forms
Step 1… What to expect
 Two types of application forms
- Standard Application form
- Employer Application form
 Categories of information
- Personal details, work permit status
- Education – qualifications, dates and institutions
- Employment history – dates and details
- Competency questions
- Additional information / supporting statement
- References

5. Application forms
Step 2… Getting started
 Print out the job description and person
specification
 Stick to the rules! Note any instructions and pay
attention to word count/limits
 Draft answers in rough first
 Fill in all sections, do not leave ANY blanks. Put
N/A for sections/boxes that are not applicable
 Tailor your answers
 Check and double check for spelling and grammar
errors
 Always keep a copy

6. Application forms
Step 3… Making your case
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Top 3 Employer questions – Can you do the job?
Do you want the job? Will you fit in?
Find out more – look beyond the advert
Sell not tell - don‟t just provide information, sell
your skills and achievements
A well thought out case, presented clearly, goes a
long way
Choose examples that will make you stand out

7. Application forms
Step 4… Evidencing your skills
 Speak the language of the employer
 Do some research – look beyond the advert
 Finding evidence – group work, academic
work, presentations, dissertation, student union
activities, work
experience, placements, employment, voluntary
activities, personal interests
 Provide specific examples that demonstrate your
skills and abilities
 “STAR” model – Situation, Task, Action, Result

8. How to evidence your skills
STAR Response - Describe a time when you have used an
innovative approach to solving a problem:
Situation
Task
Action
Result
When I was assistant manager of an IT training workshop at a
college in Brighton, we had a student who couldn‟t raise her
hand to ask questions due to arthritis in her shoulders. She
would get very frustrated when she had a problem and even
more frustrated when she couldn‟t get the attention of one of my
staff to get the problem fixed. I went out and bought a set of
decorative lights that attach to the sides of computer monitors
which could be switched on and off by a button next to the
keyboard. I informed her and my staff that if she had a
problem, she should switch the light on and then my staff would
be able to see that she had a problem and could deal with it
accordingly. She was very satisfied with the solution and found
the learning experience much easier and more rewarding.

9. Application forms
Step 5… Additional information
 This is the section to shine!
 Don‟t assume the employer knows anything
about you
 Reasons for your interest in the career area/role
 Reasons for your interest in the organisation
 Evidence that you have the skills required
 Don‟t forget the STAR model

10. Motivation Question
……..Why do you want to work in this role and for this
company?
 Show you know what is involved in the role and what
the company does.
 Link this to things you have done and enjoyed.
 Make it personal to you (vs other applicants)

11. Application forms
Step 6… Online application forms
 Online application forms require the same amount
of time and effort as paper application forms
 Check online instructions
 Prepare your answers first
 Think carefully about the language you use –
application forms are often scanned for key words
 Online applications do not include spell and
grammar checkers – check and double check!
 Avoid text speak, abbreviations and emails that do
not convey a professional image
 Print off and save a copy

12. Application forms – what next?
Shortlisting
 Applications are read/scanned and
checked against a competency grid
 Applications that meet most of the
competencies will be shortlisted. If
competition is fierce only those that meet
ALL the essential criteria will be shortlisted
Not shortlisted
 Missing key information, insufficient
evidence, did not meet the essential or
desirable criteria, spelling errors, poor
grammar

13. What is a CV?
 Curriculum vitae – course of your life
 A personal marketing document about
YOU
 First impressions count!
 Celebrate your individuality and be
yourself

14. What makes a good CV?
 Keep it succinct – why use 20 words when
5 will do?
 Target – one size rarely fits all
 Keep it relevant – what does each
employer want?
 Back it up – list achievements not duties!
 Separate sections for readability
 Axe what is not essential!

15. An employer’s perspective
Simon Reichwald - CEO Graduate Success

16. How to evidence your skills
STAR Response - Describe a time when you have used an
innovative approach to solving a problem:
Situation
Task
Action
Result
When I was assistant manager of an IT training workshop at a
college in Brighton, we had a student who couldn‟t raise her
hand to ask questions due to arthritis in her shoulders. She
would get very frustrated when she had a problem and even
more frustrated when she couldn‟t get the attention of one of my
staff to get the problem fixed. I went out and bought a set of
decorative lights that attach to the sides of computer monitors
which could be switched on and off by a button next to the
keyboard. I informed her and my staff that if she had a
problem, she should switch the light on and then my staff would
be able to see that she had a problem and could deal with it
accordingly. She was very satisfied with the solution and found
the learning experience much easier and more rewarding.

17. Getting the format right
Chronological CV
Skill-based CV
Most common format. Starts with
your most recent job, and then
works backwards.
Presents your main skill areas
Advantages
 Emphasises continuity and
progression over time
 Easy to follow
 Good if you have worked for
well known companies
Disadvantages
 Difficult if your career is patchy
 Harder if changing careers
 Not so good if you are new to
the job market
Advantages
 Strong emphasis on skills
 Jobs and work history are
more secondary
 Overcomes the difficulty of not
having a lot of experience or
too much
 Flexible
Disadvantages
 Difficult if you want to
emphasise continuity
 Might lose the impact of any
prestigious companies you
have worked for

18. CV language
 Every word counts!
 Use positive, powerful and simple
language
 Action words
 Sell not tell!
 Check and double check grammar and
spelling

19. CV top tips
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Your CV should reflect you
Target your CV
Choose an effective format and appropriate length
Follow the recruiters instructions
Pay close attention to detail presentation, language, spelling and grammar
Provide evidence of your skills and experience
Don‟t attach a photo unless asked to do so
Always use white or cream A4 paper, 2 pages, single
sided, no staples, easy-to-read font size 10-12
DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS FOR
ANYTHING

20. What we see…
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Title of CV
Email address
CV not relevant
Supporting Statement not relevant
„In my CV‟
3+ page CV
All lists, no detail
Communication prior & after your
application

21. Career Development Centre
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22. Contact us
Central London
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101 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6XH
T 020 7911 5184
E careers@westminster.ac.uk
westminster.ac.uk/careers
Harrow
Room E16
Watford Road
HA1 3TP
Nearest Tube:
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23. Follow us on
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