As a Personnel Manager I see a lot of applications for every job opening. With so many applications to look at and pick from it is difficult to pick the top three or four applicants to bring in for an interview or to send to the hiring Manager. So how do I pick from the 100 application forms when most of the applicants have the work history we are looking for? One of the first things we look at is the general overall appearance of the completed application form itself. Is it complete, with all the information in the right place? If you want to be picked out of 100 applications received for one job opening take the time to fill out that paperwork thoroughly. Make sure you have all the information with you that you will need. This will include the exact dates of employment for at least your last three jobs and possibly even further back than the last three. It is best in include a month and year start date and end date for each of your prior positions. You should also be able to provide a current phone number for each past employer. Your may be asked to provide three work reference and three personal references. So be prepared with those names and phone numbers also.

In the past when the economy was stronger and it was hard for employers to find good employees this advice may not have been relevant. But in today’s job market it is. When you are competing with so many other qualified applicants your must get off to a good start with a good application form. Take the extra time needed to use your best hand writing. If you fill the form out too quickly and it looks sloppy you may just get passed by. The employer is more likely to take a closer look at the application form if it is done right, after all the employer wants an employee who will make an effort to do the job right and the application form is the first indication of this right attitude and effort to do a good job.

Make sure you have all the information you will need with you, fill out the application form completely taking care to put all the information where it is asked for on the form, write neatly so it is easy to read. Do not write “see resume” unless you have been advised by the employer that it is O.K. to do so. If the employer wanted to look at your resume instead of the application form then why are your filling it out. When an application form is asked for take the time necessary to fill it out completely. This is the first step to your next job so do it right, make it look good, get picked for an interview and get that new job.