Let's get this out of the way first



No-one likes doing Application Forms!



They are unpopular, but very necessary to securing a good job



Those of us in employment totally understand that sinking feeling when you look a a blank page, probably on a device these days



Unfortunately, applications are the accepted way to impress an employer into giving you an interview



By now, you should have checked out the videos and Further Information sections of the site and should have an idea of the type of job or Apprenticeship you'll be applying for



We are now asking you to complete a practice Application Form



To make it more real, please go to www.reed.co.uk and select a job to apply for



The skills you learn from doing this task will help you when the time comes to complete a real one, so please take it seriously







How do I answer competency-based questions?

Competency-based questions require detail and thought, so it's best to give yourself plenty of time to answer them. 

If they ask something like:



'Describe a time when you worked in a team'



It's a competency-based question. The employer wants to find out whether you have the right skills for the job, so you'll need to use an example. Work, study, volunteering, work experience or hobbies are all experiences you could use.

To answer, use the STAR technique. Describe a Situation, the Tasks you needed to do, the Actions you took and the Results you achieved.



They want to know that you can get along with others in a team. Show that you make an effort to pull your weight, and you communicate well.



Here's an example answer: 

Situation: ‘In my part-time job, we had three days to complete our annual stock check.’

Task: ‘We had to count every item of stock accurately, ensuring we stayed on schedule. I was in charge and worked with two colleagues in my department.’ 

Action: ‘I assigned different sections of the stock to each person, along with a target time. Some sections went more quickly so we reorganised our time to help each other out.’ 

Result: ‘By working together and being flexible, we completed the whole task on time. In fact we were the first department to finish.’