Job Applications

Some people have and will gain employment without even putting together a resume, let alone a full written application. However, in a competitive job market, the written application is still the most usual means of introducing yourself to a potential employer. You may submit a written application as a result of an advertisement or as a means of letting employers know that you exist. The trick is to know how to adjust your written application to target the organisation's needs and to suit the purpose for which it is intended. The purpose of the documents is to market your qualifications, skills and experiences to employers.

A written application may include all or some of the following documents:

• Application Forms
• Cover Letters
• Resumes
• Selection criteria

Deciding which documents you should send an employer depends on what the employer has asked for in their ad; if you are sending your details to an employer who hasn't advertised; and what the area of employment is (for example, graphic designers might be expected to send some form of portfolio work). While you may have a basic resume document, you should always ensure that all your documents target the requirements of the job and organisation you are applying to - you need to do your research!