Engaging the recruiter

The person who receives your application will probably be sifting through many forms on the same day. Lots of these forms will probably be fairly similar. So what can you do to make yours stand out, so that there is absolutely no question in the recruiter's mind that they should give you an interview?

Be very focused on the job at hand

We have said it before, and we will say it again. Read the job description and the person specification for the job extremely carefully - and match your skills and experience with those criteria. If you don't do this, the recruiter will have to try to do it themselves, which will take them time and effort. Anything you can do to make their life easier will earn you brownie points. Always tailor your form to the job at hand, and pay particular attention to the 'supporting information' section. This is where you can really sell yourself.

"Candidates that have taken the time to carefully match their skills and experience with the requirements laid out in the person specification for the role they're applying for, can be at a considerable advantage."
Alan Simmons, NHS Careers Consultant

Give examples

Specific is much better than vague. So always back up what you are saying with tangible, relevant examples of your experience, achievements and any resulting key learnings. This is important both on your form and in your interview, if you get one. So rather than just saying 'I am a good team-player', give examples of teams you have been part of, describe your role within those teams, and explain what you achieved by working collectively. Examples can also help to bring your form to life, and get across your personality. The recruiter will be trying to gauge what kind of person you are, as well as looking at your qualifications and experience.

Write well

Having the right content on your form - in other words, content that is relevant to the job and includes plenty of appropriate examples - is crucial. But you also want to make sure your content is presented clearly and effectively. Here are a few writing guidelines to bear in mind:

  • Use clear, plain English - avoid using jargon or overly academic language
  • Keep your sentences short - two shorter sentences are generally clearer than one very long one
  • Read it back to yourself - does what you have written make sense? Are your points clear and easy to understand?
  • Check, check and check again - if you can, give your form the 'overnight test' and go back to it again the next day, so you can read it with fresh eyes. It can also be useful to get someone else to read it for you. And remember to do a spell check. No matter how good your form is, spelling mistakes will really let it down, so make sure everything is spelt correctly, before hitting that 'submit' button.

Remember, you can find lots of information about the different roles in the NHS on the NHS Careers website - including what skills and attributes are required for each role. Refer to this when you are completing your form, to make sure it highlights the right things - and shows very clearly why you are right for the job.

You may also like to read our articles on 'Making successful applications' and 'Managing the interview'.