Resumes, Applications and Cover Letters
Summer 1999 (2009 update) • Occupational Outlook Quarterly
Applications: Fitting yourself to the form
Many jobs require jobseekers to complete an application instead of submitting a ré-
sumé. But an application is a résumé in disguise: Its purpose is to show your qualifi-
cations. Assembling the following information about yourself in advance will make it
easier to complete applications:
• Identification. Be prepared to give your name, address, phone number, and
social security number. You may also need to bring proof of identification when you
pick up and drop off the application.
• Employment history. List the month and year you started and ended each
job; your supervisor’s name, address, and phone number; your job title, location, sal-
ary, and major duties; and your reason for leaving.
• Education and certification. Know the name and city of the schools you
attended and the year you received your degrees and the name, level, and award and
renewal dates of certification.
• Special skills. List any special skills you have that are closely related to the
job, such as computer applications, or equipment operation.
• References. Provide the names, phone numbers, and addresses of three or
four people who have agreed to recommend you.
When you pick up an application, don’t miss an opportunity to make a good first
impression. Dress as you would for the job. Politely request two copies of the form,
or make your own copies of the original before you start filling it out. Read the entire
application before you begin. Then, use one copy as a rough draft and the other as the
final product. Write neatly with black ink.
Answer every question on the application. Write “not applicable” or “none” if a
question does not apply to you. Some reviewers suggest answering “will discuss in
interview” if asked for information that might disqualify you.
Make a copy of your completed application. If you go back for an interview, take
this record with you. Having a completed form will also make it easier to fill out the
next one.
Although forms do not offer the same flexibility as a résumé, you can still find
ways to highlight your best qualifications. For example, you can use strong action
verbs to describe your duties. If you do not have paid experience, you can give job
titles to your volunteer work or list relevant academic experience, substituting student
for job titles.
Computer applications. If you are filling out an application for a computer data-
base, you will want to use keywords and simple formatting. Put the most important
information first. Include as much information as you can for each question without
becoming wordy or repetitive. The more relevant details you provide, the better your
chances of using a keyword that matches an employer’s requirements. Before submit-
ting the form, copy and paste your answers into a word-processing program so you
can check the spelling.
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