Job Applications
Introduction
These resources will help you fill out job applications. To use these pages, you may select links in the navigation bar on the left, you may select links from the list below, or you may advance through the pages using the links at the bottom of each page. Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.
The job application pages are orgnized into the following sections:
- Job application overview
- What is a job application?
- Why do I need to fill out an application?
- What should I do if I'm a veteran entering civilian life?
- What should I do if I am transitioning from the automotive industry?
- What should I do about time I was not working?
- What should I do if I have been incarcerated?
- What should my application look like?
- Application worksheet part 1
- Personal information
- Personal information
- Application worksheet part 2
- Employment information / work history
- Employment information / work history
- Application worksheet part 3
- Education and training
- Application worksheet part 4
- References
Job Application Overview
What is a job application?
A job application is a form employers use to collection information about you to see if you are a good fit for the position. There are usually four parts of a job application:
- Personal information
- Employment information, also called work history
- Education and training
- References.
Why do I need to fill out a job application?
Many employers want workers to fill out a job application. Employers use applications to see who can do a job. Employers also use applications to read about your past jobs and training. Your application is important because it shows employers what you have done and what you can do. Your application should contain information that will encourage an employer to give you an interview.
Even if you do not need a job application for a certain job, it is good to make one of your own and keep it up to date. It is easier to fill out job applications if you have one of your own to reference. This is especially true if you are filling out online, or Internet, job applications.
What should I do if I’m a veteran entering civilian life?
It is important to fill out your application in a way that employers will understand. Applying for civilian jobs means you will have to use language people outside the military can understand. For example, in the experience section of your application you will need to do some “translating” between military terms and civilian terms:
Military terms: Received and stored bulk and package petroleum, oils, and lubricants products. Issued and dispensed bulk fuels and water from storage and distribution facilities to using units. Selected and submitted samples of petroleum, oils, and lubricants to laboratory for testing. Performed petroleum and water accounting duties (from Army Pamphlet 611-21).
Civilian terms: Coordinated and distributed petroleum products and monitored quality control systems.
What should I do if I am transitioning from the automotive industry?
It is important to fill out your application in a way that employers will understand. Applying for your new job outside the auto industry means you will have to use language people outside the industry can understand. For example, in the experience section of your application you will need to “translate” your auto industry terms:
Auto industry terms: Finished, prepared, and applied various materials, sub-finishes and final top coat paints to components, parts and complete vehicles in accordance with engineering drawings and manufacturer’s recommendations.
“Translated” terms: Worked in a team to apply paint to parts and complete vehicles following detailed engineering drawings and manufacturer’s recommendations.
If you remember specific details and achievements related to your responsibilities, you should include them:
Supervised and coordinated ten employees in automotive assembly and reviewed manufacturing processes and products for quality control. Maintained a 96% average delivery rate while focusing on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
What should I do about any times I was not working?
Short times in between jobs or work experience should not hurt your chances of getting an interview. But you should be prepared to talk about those breaks when you meet with the employer. If you were not working for pay but volunteered doing something in the community, talk about that experience to show you were busy doing something.
What should I do if I have been incarcerated?
If you were incarcerated, be honest with the employer and talk about what you did while you were serving your sentence that may contribute to your job skills. For example, many prison systems offer General Education Development (GED) programs so inmates can receive the equivalent of a high school diploma. Prison systems also offer vocational training in carpentry, plumbing, electronics, auto mechanics, etc. If you have received vocational training in prison, talk about this in your interview.
What will my job application look like?
There are many different kinds of job applications. Each company has their own format they use. This is also the case for online applications. But generally, job applications have words that tell you what information you need to fill in the blank spaces, on lines, or in text boxes for online applications. Below is an example of the top section of a job application:
Name ___________________
Social Security Number ________________
Address ______________________________________________________________
Telephone Number ____________________
Years at Present Address? ____________
Keep in mind that you will need to bring your Social Security Number, or equivalent such as a work or student visa, with you, along with your driver’s license, birth certificate, and current phone number and address. If you don’t have a phone number where employers can call you, make sure you ask someone to allow you to use their phone number. Write “message” on the application to tell the employer s/he should leave a message for you at that phone number.
If possible, fill out your job application when you pick it up rather than taking it home. If you don’t think you will be able to fill out the application correctly or in a professional looking way, it’s fine to take it with you to fill out later.
Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.
Application Worksheet Part 1
Job Applications Worksheet
One thing that can make the job search more frustrating and last longer is trying to fill out applications when you don’t have all your information organized and in one place. Fill out the job application worksheet below and print it so you have all your important information in one place. If you do not have access to a printer, follow this form as a guide and write the information on paper. Keep track of your worksheet.
Personal Information
Last name
First name
Middle name
Street address (with apartment number)
City
State/province
ZIP code
Phone number (including area code)
Email address (use a professional address, not hotchick@gmail.com
Cell phone number (including area code)
Other ways to contact you
Years and months at present address
Previous street address
City
State/province
ZIP code
Years and months at previous address
Social Security Number (for more information: www.ssa.gov.)
US citizenship (You may be asked to provide proof you are a legal US citizen.)
Job position
Days/times available
Nights? What hours?
Weekends? What hours?
Transportation or how will you get to work
Pay or salary desired/required (also good to put “open” or “negotiable”)
Date of birth
Sex (or gender)
Height
Weight
Marital status
Dependents (children)
Have you been bonded or can you be bonded (insured)?
Have you been arrested? (Misdemeanors and minor crimes, and crimes committed under the age of 16, do not have to be mentioned. If you have been convicted of a felony (major crime) in this country, you should answer, “Yes.” It is good to then write “I will explain this in the interview.” If the job application asks for more details, write the offense, date, and sentence. But you have the option of leaving this question blank and merely write “I will explain in the interview.”
Physical or emotional limitations that might prevent you from doing the job? If so, provide details
Serious illnesses or allergies
Interests and hobbies
When can you start work?
Are you willing to get more training?
Why did you apply for this job at our company?
Do you have a valid driver’s license?
Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.
Application Worksheet Part 2
Employment Information / Work History
Fill in this information to keep track of it for your job search.
Job 1 (most recent job)
Employer’s name
Employer’s street address
City
State/province
Zip code
Position/job title
Starting date
Ending date
Beginning salary
Ending salary
Responsibilities (skills, accomplishments, results, equipment used, new skills, awards, etc.)
Reason for leaving (recommended: offered a better job, company relocated, needed more hours, seasonal work, returned to school, laid off, personal reasons, will explain in interview)
Supervisor’s name
Supervisor’s phone number
Job 2 (job before your most recent job)
Employer’s name
Employer’s street address
City
State/province
Zip code
Position/job title
Starting date
Ending date
Beginning salary
Ending salary
Responsibilities (skills, accomplishments, results, equipment used, new skills, awards, etc.)
Reason for leaving (recommended: offered a better job, company relocated, needed more hours, seasonal work, returned to school, laid off, personal reasons, will explain in interview)
Supervisor’s name
Supervisor’s phone number
Repeat this information for each job you have had from more recent to least recent.
Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.
Application Worksheet Part 3
Education and Training
Begin with your highest education or training experience.
College, Trade, or Technical School
Name of school
Street address
City
State/province
ZIP code
Last grade completed
Did you graduate?
Degree or certificate
Grade point average (GPA)
Courses
Awards or honors
High School
Name of school
Street address
City
State/province
ZIP code
Last grade completed
Did you graduate?
Degree or certificate
Grade point average (GPA)
Courses
Awards or honors
Vocational Training
Name of school
Street address
City
State/province
ZIP code
Last grade completed
Did you graduate?
Degree or certificate
Grade point average (GPA)
Courses
Awards or honors
Other Training or Education
Name of school
Street address
City
State/province
ZIP code
Last grade completed
Did you graduate?
Degree or certificate
Grade point average (GPA)
Courses
Awards or honors
Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.
Application Worksheet Part 4
References
You may also include the names and contact information of people for whom you have volunteered or performed odd jobs, such as lawn care or house work. Try to list at least three people as references. You should not use relatives (mother, father, sister, brother, etc.). Also, try to find references from your most previous job, but also from other areas of your life: school, volunteerism, community or religious activities.
Reference 1
Name
Relationship to you (co-worker, boss, supervisor, clergy, etc.)
Name of organization
Street address
City
State/province
ZIP code
What will this person say about you? (While you don’t want to be dishonest, if your relationship with the person is not the best, you may think about using someone else as a reference. Always contact your references to get permission to use them and to let them know potential employers may be contacting them).
Reference 2
Name
Relationship to you (co-worker, boss, supervisor, clergy, etc.)
Name of organization
Street address
City
State/province
ZIP code
What will this person say about you? (While you don’t want to be dishonest, if your relationship with the person is not the best, you may think about using someone else as a reference. Always contact your references to get permission to use them and to let them know potential employers may be contacting them).
Reference 3
Name
Relationship to you (co-worker, boss, supervisor, clergy, etc.)
Name of organization
Street address
City
State/province
ZIP code
What will this person say about you? (While you don’t want to be dishonest, if your relationship with the person is not the best, you may think about using someone else as a reference. Always contact your references to get permission to use them and to let them know potential employers may be contacting them).
Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.
References:
Job Search Tools: Resumes, Applications, and Cover Letters by Ronald C. Mendlin and Marc Polonsky with J. Michael Farr. The Putting the Bars Behind You Series. Indianapolis: JIST, 2000.
Some of this information is also adapted from Jobbankuse.com: http://www.jobbankusa.com.
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