Completing Applications
When filling out your application, keep in mind that it is a legally defensive list of your educational and job history, degrees, qualifications, your criminal record, references, and a variety of information that is required by your employee. Be honest and fill out your application to the best of your ability!
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Remember to Tell the Truth: Perhaps it sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised. Do not lie on your resume. Even if lying lands you a job, lying on a job application will hurt you in the long run if your crime is ever discovered. If your employer discovers your falsehood, they can and will fire you. Now, a termination for cause is put on your employment record, making it even harder to find a job. It can also be noted that if you ever face racial or gender discrimination or illegal practices at work, it can be difficult to sue your employer, given your employer can attempt to convince the court you never would have been hired in the first place if you hadn't lied on your application initially.
What Do I Need to Have on a Job Application?
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Your Full Name: On a job application, you write the name written on your birth certificate. You do not write nicknames or aliases.
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Your Social Security Number: Employers typically use it to conduct background and credit checks on potential employees.
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Employment History: You don't have to be very specific, but employers prefer to have a general record of your experience and past history with working. If you don't remember the exact dates and details, don't make something up. Mistakes present you as dishonest or forgetful.
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Criminal Record: Having a criminal record doesn't destroy your chances at getting a job. However, your employer has the right to know who they are hiring and the consequences of lying about your record will destroy chances at getting the job and future openings afterward.
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References/Qualifications: This is information that can also be included on your resume or cover letter, but should also be provided on your job application. References could be previous bosses, or other people who can vouch for your skills. Qualifications can be your job experience, education, and skill set.
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Various Contact Information: You want to include your address, email and phone number, so that the company has the means of getting in touch with you if they have any questions. You also want to include your references' contact information so that your references can be verified with the company.
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The Position You're Applying For: Hopefully, this is at the front of your mind when filling one out. Your employer must know what job you're applying for.
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Availability: If it's on the application, be sure to record what days and hours you are comfortable working and possibly when you'd be able to start working. This will make it easier on your employee to schedule you or determine whether or not your preferences fit their current roster.
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Your Signature: Having your signature under the certification gives your employer permission to run background checks, reference checks, search your criminal history, and even dig into your drug testing records. Providing a signature is not just a formality and will be a sign of understanding between the employer and the person applying that you are confirming that everything you have written is the truth.
Extra Tips
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Be Neat: In the event that you are filling out your application by hand, use your best handwriting. Your chances at being considered are reduced drastically when your potential employer cannot decipher your words. They will not take extra time to attempt to read it and may disregard it. Remember to make all of your answers legible!
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Fill Out Everything: Do not leave blank spaces on your application form or write "see resume" in any of the spaces. In the case that an answer is not available or does not apply, write N/A in the blank rather than skip it. Be complete and thorough! Skipping blanks or referring the reader to your resume gives the impression you commonly cut corners and that you do not follow directions.
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Check Your Work: After completing your job application, double check for mistakes, typos, or missed spaces. You should always strive to give your best work when applying for a job! It doesn't hurt to check the application a second time!
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Write in Pen: On paper, writing in pen is generally your best option. Ink is more professional and the answers won't smudge away as easily as pencil. If you're prone to making mistakes, use pencil on seperate sheet of paper to prepare your answers before copying them in pen on your actual application. In the case you do err while writing in pen, do not scribble. Neatly cross it out and write what you meant to say beside it.
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Validate the Job: Especially if you're searching for a job online, be careful who you give your application to and verify that the job exists. Scammers will set up false advertisements to trick you into handing over sensitive information, such as your legal name, your social security number, credit card number, etc. Jobs that require you to send money along with the information are definitely scammers; jobs will never charge you during the hiring process. Thoroughly research job offers and the "companies" that offer them to you to ensure you're not getting tricked.
Parts of a job application may vary depending on the job you're applying for, but these are certain elements that are vital to include when filling your application out. Good luck!
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Turn it in on Time: Don't procrastinate. Be aware of the due date and turn it in before or on the date it's required. Late applications are rarely, if at all, considered.