Filling Out an Application
Standard Job Application & Tips
Here we have taken a standard application form and broken it down into a few parts. Each section is then broken down further and thoroughly explained. Follow each piece through this step by step guide to successfully complete your job application. At the end of the page we have tips about how to acquire information to fill out an application, and how to get your hands on an application to start with.
Personal
Name
In this space neatly print your first and last name. Make sure to write your name in the order specified by the application; if the order is not specified, then first name, last name will do. Don't forget to start with a capital at the beginning of part of your name.
Social Security No.
In this space you list your social security number. If you lose your Social Security card or you cant remember your nine digit identification number; you may be able to find help locating it at this website: https://www.ssa.gov/
Present Address
Your present address is the place you are currently staying. This could possibly be for family obligations, long term work travel, schooling, etc. Do not forget to add the city, state and zip code.
Permanent Address
The permanent address space is for the place you will return to after your current status is resolved. Many times the present and permanent address are the same. Make sure you fill out both even if they are the same.
Phone No.
This space is for the phone you are most likely to be reached at. Many times an application may have a second phone space; this space is for the second person the employer should call if they cannot reach you at the first listed phone number.
Referred By
Often times this portion of the application means almost nothing. It is basically asking you how you thought to apply for this job. The company or business wants to know what person pointed you in their direction. If someone told you to go apply there, then list them. If nobody told you to apply there, then put a dash or N/A in the space.
Employment Desired
Position
In this space list the position you are applying for. This helps the company sort out what applications are for each position they have available.
Date of Start
This is the soonest possible date you are available to start working if the employer were to hire you. It is usually best to have a date within two or three weeks, otherwise the employer would have to invest to much time into you without knowing if you are worth it.
Salary Desired
This is the space where you may list a reasonable amount of money you are requesting if you are hired. This does not mean you will get this amount if you are hired but it is a starting point for discussing salary. Many people are afraid to discuss their salary with their employer, but it is actually good in most cases to discuss it. Many business want you to or expect you to negotiate your salary, and they will not be insulted by it.
Are You Employed
This is a fairly straight forward question. Just list whether you are or are not being payed for work presently.
If so....
If you marked yes on the previous question about employment, then continue with this step if not mark no and move on. The company is wanting to know who is currently employing you and may ask you about you employer during a later interview. This is purely a personal decision whether you mark yes or no.
Applied Before
This question is also fairly straight forward. The employer wants to know whether or not you have applied to that business or any other business of the same franchise in a different location. If this applies to you mark yes.
Where
List the location of the business(s) you last applied to of the same franchise. If you have never applied to any business of the same franchise then write N/A, which means not applicable.
When
List the date of application to any other business(s) of the same franchise. If you have never applied to any business of the same franchise then write N/A, which means not applicable.
Education History
Grammar School
This is another way to say elementary school. Usually this is not a space on application forms, but if it is listed just list the elementary school you attended. If you attended more than one; list the one you finished at. Do not forget the full address of the location. List the number of years you attended. Write whether or not you graduated. Under subjects studied list N/A.
High School
Here list the high school you graduated from. Be sure to list the full address of the school. List the number years attended. If you have not graduated yet write pending and the date you will graduate. If you have not and will not graduate high school write N/A. If you did graduate write yes in the space. Under subjects studied write N/A.
College
In this space list the college you graduated from. Make sure you write the full address of the college. List the number of years attended. If you have not graduated yet write pending and the date you will graduate. If you have graduated write yes. If you will not be attending college write N/A. Under subjects studied list your major(s) and minor(s).
Trade, Business, or Correspondence School
For this space list the school you are attending or have graduated pertaining to a certain field. Some examples could be: electrician school, nurse school, welding school, etc. List the number of years attended there. List whether you have graduated or not. If you will be graduating but have not yet, then write pending and the date of graduation. If you have not and will not graduate from a trade school put N/A in the blank. Under subjects studied list the subject you attended the school to learn.
General Information
Subjects of...
This is a space for any notable studies, accomplishments, and skills. It can range from communication skills to a public recognition from an organization. Many people have trouble listing skills on their résumé. Some good skills to list are: good communication, adaptability, good decision making, time management, self-motivation, conflict resolution, leadership, good under pressure, etc.
U.S. Military or Naval Service
List what branch of the service you are currently serving or were serving and the amount of time served.
Rank
In this space list the rank you completed your service with.
Former Employment
From/To
In this space list the date of which you started in the "From" slot, and list the end date in the "To" slot. This helps the employer see how long you stayed with your previous employers and how much experience you built up in that job.
Name & Address
List the name of the company or business and the full address. It may be hard to fit all of that information in this one space so write small.
Salary
Here list the amount, before tax, you made in salary. If you did not make a salary, then you can list what you were paid by the hour. The amount you earned in a year can be found on your W-2 from from that year.
Position
This slot is for the title of the position you held at your previous job
Reason For Leaving
In this slot write and explanation for leaving the previous job. It may be that you wanted to change fields of work, or that you had progressed as far as the organization would let you. No matter what it is do not leave it blank.
Tips
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Never leave a slot blank. It gives the employer the idea that you forgot or did not care to fill it out.
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If you have nothing to put in a blank put N/A (Not Applicable).
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Be constant. If you write an address with two rows of writing in one blank, then do it the same way in other coinciding blanks.
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Job applications are usually available even when a business is not hiring.
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In order to locate a job application ask an employee or the front desk if there is one and they should be able to point you in the right direction.
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Sometimes an application is available online, so be sure to check the business's website for an application.
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Make sure all of your information is correct.
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It doesn't hurt to try a practice application to make sure everything looks okay before you submit the final one.
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Be sure to read and reread all directions carefully. Employers can get hundreds of applicants for a job and they need a way to weed out people. If you don't follow the directions carefully, then that can be an easy way to weed you out.