Example Competency-based Application Form 3
Personal Details
Name: Namey Family Name: McName
Address: 5 Streety Street, Towny Town Postcode: TT1 2SS
Mobile: 07012345678 email: nameymcname@[Link]
Position applied for: Graduate Trainee Job Ref: GTS1012
Education Things to think about
You will normally have to complete a section
outlining your education and qualifications in
Institution: University of Essex Dates: 2009-2012
reverse chronological order.
Qualifications: BSc Example Studies (2.1 expected)
Module 1A 66% Module 2A 62% Module 3A 69% Unlike a CV, you will usually be expected to list all
Module 1B 62% Module 2B 65% Module 3B 68% your subjects and grades at all levels.
Module 1C 65% Module 2C 67% Module 3C 65%
Module 1D 70% Module 2D 69% Module 3D 70%
Module 1E 65% Module 2E 67% Module 3E 69%
Institution: Sample Comprehensive Dates: 2007 - 2009
Qualifications: A Levels
Subject: X Grade: A Subject: Y Grade: B Subject: Z Grade: C
Institution: Sample Comprehensive Dates: 2002 -2007
Qualifications: GCSEs
Subject: A Grade: A Subject: E Grade: B Subject: I Grade: C
Subject: B Grade: A Subject: F Grade: B Subject: J Grade: C
Subject: C Grade: A Subject: G Grade: B
Subject: D Grade: A Subject: H Grade: B
Work History Things to think about
You will usually be expected to complete a section
outlining any experience you have in reverse
Employer: Big Supermarket Dates: December 2009 - Present chronological order.
Details: Customer Service Assistant
When describing past experiences, in particular
those that are not directly relevant, focus on your
n Further developed and consistently demonstrate excellent customer service skills. skills and achievements in the role, rather than your
general duties.
n Identified inconsistencies in staff training procedures that were having an
impact on dealing with customer feedback and complaints. Persuaded
management to review staff training procedures, resulting in a more consistent
and efficient approach. As a result, was given responsibility to contribute to the
design of the induction process for new staff.
Employer: The Place Ltd Dates: July 2011 – September 2011
Details: Intern, Development Department
n Actively participated in induction and managed my own training.
n Responsibility for meeting all the placement targets and objectives agreed with
my manager.
n Participated in weekly review meetings, contributing to planning and decision
making on projects.
n Communicated with people at all levels in the organisation, including meetings
and via telephone, email and social networks.
n Participated in monthly team social events which included sporting challenges,
team quiz tournaments and a community support day helping out at a local
primary school where I helped a group of pupils interested in tennis to learn the
basics of the game.
n Delivered a presentation on my project findings to management and colleagues
at The Place Ltd at the end of my internship.
page 6 Page 1/3
Example Competency-based Application Form
Employer: The Anonymous Foundation Dates: October 2009 – July 2011
Details: Volunteer
n Gained experience of general administrative duties including dealing effectively
with telephone and email enquiries, maintaining records and organising the
information area to ensure clients could find relevant resources more readily.
n Communicated and collaborated effectively with the Foundation staff and other
volunteers to facilitate the efficient running of the office.
n Took the initiative of producing a monthly staff newsletter to celebrate our
achievements and highlight key activities. This has been continued by other
volunteers since I left to undertake my internship.
n Improved my IT skills using MS Office including Excel and Access in particular.
Things to think about
Application Questions Application forms vary depending on the employer.
Always read the instructions and guidelines for
completing the application as specified by the
Why are you interested in working for XYZ Ltd? employer.
I am particularly attracted to this Graduate Trainee role at XYZ Ltd., as I can see
Competency based application forms like this one
from your website that you have impressive business development objectives and are designed to give you the opportunity to show that
I know from media coverage in recent years that you are an industry leader in the you meet the employers criteria for the role you are
example sector, including winning the 123 Award for 2011. I share your applying for.
organisation’s values, in particular relating to sustainability and supporting the
Remember that even if you are also given the
local community, and feel I could contribute effectively in this role given the opportunity to submit your CV, it’s likely the employer
chance. It’s evident from your job description that training and development are a will assess your suitability mainly through the
significant aspect of the role, which would help me to improve my effectiveness as application form.
an employee given the opportunity. I am also interested in the scope to really get
involved in decision making, and find it encouraging that there would be potential Things to think about
to develop leadership. Overall, I feel that XYZ Ltd. could offer me the best This is your opportunity to demonstrate to the
employer that you are genuinely interested in
possible opportunity to fulfil my current career goals while working for an working for them and that you have done your
excellent organisation where I can relate to the goals and values. research. Reflect what attracts you to working for
the organisation and what makes you feel like you’d
Please outline your suitability for the role, including any relevant experience? fit in well there.
I am confident that I have the right experience, skills and qualities to fit in with
Most organisations set out things like their
your team. I get on well with others, having worked in teams previously, including achievements, strategic goals and values on their
leadership roles, completing both academic and professional projects. I am also websites. You can also look up news stories about
very flexible and work effectively individually. As you can see from my Customer them and review their social media presence e.g.
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. A simple
Service experience at the Big Supermarket, I took the initiative to suggest Google search should help you find everything you
changes that led to improved procedures in the store, also demonstrating my need to know about any potential employer.
aptitude for problem solving. In my current role as Secretary of the Cheese
Appreciation Society, I am responsible for communicating with our members using Things to think about
social media. I have excellent interpersonal skills and can communicate You want the employer to see that you are
professionally, including having experience in delivering presentations, the most interested in the opportunity they are offering, not
just that you want a job. Tell them what makes you
significant being to management and colleagues on completion of my internship
an ideal candidate in terms of the role they are
last summer. This internship gave me a great insight into the work of an offering and the knowledge, skills and experience
organisation in the example sector, and the types of customers and clients an they require.
organisation in this sector works with. It also gave me confidence in my ability to
work as part of a development team. If successful in securing the position of
Graduate Trainee I assure you I could make an effective contribution to your team.
Give an example of a time when you have demonstrated excellent verbal
communication skills, including the situation you were in and the outcome.
I gained experience in communicating with people at all levels in an organisation
while completing my internship at The Place Ltd., including meetings and via
telephone, email and social networks. I had responsibility for a project that also
involved some telephone and email communication with relevant clients, gaining
confidence in my ability to communicate professionally and courteously. My
internship also included delivering a presentation on my project findings to
management and colleagues at the end of my internship, helping me to develop my
communication skills in front of a group and preparing slides and a report summary
to complement my delivery. As a result of my internship I have an understanding of
the importance of effective communication in a professional working environment.
Page 2/3 page 7
Example Competency-based Application Form
Tell us about a time when you have used outstanding problem solving skills Things to think about
A good technique for communicating your skills and
to deal with a problem and what happened? abilities to an employer to demonstrate that you tick
When I had completed 6 months in my Customer Service Assistant role all their boxes is STAR:
at The Big Supermarket, my manager asked me to be involved in the induction
and training of new staff. As part of my contribution, I identified inconsistencies in n Situation: set the scene or context for the
example you're using as evidence;
staff training procedures that were having an impact on dealing with customer n Task: briefly outline what you had to do;
feedback and complaints, as slightly different messages were being conveyed by n Action: give details of what you did specifically,
different members of staff. I discussed this with management and suggested focusing on your responsibilities, including any
changes which resulted in a more consistent and efficient approach. As a result, problems or challenges that you overcame; and
n Result: include the outcome, and anything you
a more efficient process is now followed, with positive feedback from both staff learned from the experience.
and customers on the changes.
Outline your working styles both individually and as part of a team, giving Things to think about
examples. Provide specific evidence when you are
I am capable of working flexibly, comfortable both using my own initiative and demonstrating how you have used or developed the
relevant skills for the role. Try to vary the examples
working with others. When I completed my internship at The Place Ltd., I was part you use from different areas of your life, such as
of a team in the Development Department, but was assigned an individual project academic, work experience and extra-curricular, and
as my main responsibility. This meant I managed my time to complete my research try to keep evidence to the more recent things
you’ve done.
and analysis and put together a report, occasionally meeting with my manager and
another colleague to review progress and talk through any improvements. I was
confident in my ability to complete the report, but found real value in also adding a
team working approach to discuss ideas and learn from more experienced
colleagues.
Describe an occasion where you have used strong time management Things to think about
ability, in particular where you have had deadlines to meet. Meeting all the essential criteria specified by an
Throughout my university studies, I have successfully organised my time to employer is a requirement before they would be
willing to interview you for the job. While not having
complete all assignments and research, meeting all deadlines, while volunteering, all the desirable criteria won’t necessarily go against
working part time and participating in a student society. A particular example is in you, always demonstrate if you do meet them. When
my role of Team Leader for a second year project, where communicating closely there is strong competition for opportunities, the
with other team members, I was responsible for ensuring everyone was up to date desirables may also be considered when selecting
suitable candidates for interview.
with their workload and keeping check on our overall progress to ensure we met
our deadline for submission. My leadership meant we remained well organised as
a team and we completed one week early, achieving a mark of 68%.
Please outline any IT skills you have and programmes you are proficient with.
I am a confident user of Microsoft Office with advanced skills in Word and Excel
and some experience using Access through my volunteering role with The
Anonymous Foundation maintaining and running queries on their database. I am
also comfortable using Outlook and the internet for work purposes, including the
use of social and digital media for communication, as I designed and maintain the
social media pages in my role of secretary of The Cheese Appreciation Society at
university.
Things to think about
References You will usually be asked to provide at least two
contacts for references. As a student or recent
Professor Knowy Knowitall Ms Leady Leaderson graduate, one academic and one contact from
employment/experience would be ideal. Only use
Department of Example Studies The Place Ltd. referees you have had recent contact with.
University of Essex Big Building
Wivenhoe Park Central Square Ask your referees permission before you include
Colchester London their contact details and let them know what you're
applying for so they can give an appropriate
CO4 3SQ EC5 5EC reference if asked.
01206 123456 02012 345678 If you are an international student, use UK contacts
kknowitall@[Link] leadersonl@[Link] where possible, but if providing a contact from
outside the UK, ensure you make them aware they
could be contacted and that they will be able to
communicate with potential employers if required.
page 8 Page 3/3
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form 4
XYZ Ltd. operate a policy of equality of opportunity and fair treatment in Things to think about
Many employers include an equal opportunities
employment. We aim to monitor our recruitment and employment practices to monitoring form as part of the application process.
ensure that unfair discrimination does not occur. To help us achieve this aim, we
ask you to complete this confidential monitoring form and return it with your Because of employment legislation, employers
application form. collect certain data on applicants for statistical
purposes.
It will be used for statistical monitoring purposes only and will not be seen by The information you provide in this form will not be
those who are responsible for selecting candidates. taken into consideration when your application form
is being considered and in most cases it will be
separated and used by Human Resources only,
therefore not seen by those considering applications
Gender and selecting suitable candidates.
❑ Male ✔
❑ Female
Age
22
Disability
❑ Yes ✔ No
❑
Marital Status
✔
❑ Single ❑ Married ❑ Cohabiting ❑ Prefer not to say
Sexual Orientation
❑ Heterosexual ❑ Gay/Lesbian ❑ Bisexual
✔
❑ Prefer not to say
Religion Or Belief
✔
❑ No Religion ❑ Christian ❑ Buddhist
❑ Hindu ❑ Jewish ❑ Sikh ❑ Muslim
❑ Other religion ❑ Prefer not to say
ETHNICITY (please underline one option in one box only)
White Mixed
White British White and Asian
White Irish White and Black African
White European White and Black Caribbean
White other Mixed other
Asian Black
Indian Black British
Pakistani Black African
Bangladeshi Black Caribbean
Chinese Other Black background
Other Asian background
Other
Arab
Other ethnic background
Prefer not to say
page 9