Helpful Application Tips
Helpful Application Tips
By: Kylee Harrison, Community Vitality Agent
It’s application season! If you have a high school senior in your house, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Seniors are furiously filling out those scholarship, college, and job applications, trying to meet the common deadline of April 1st. If you have a high-schooler working on applications, here are a few helpful tips.
- Be thorough, neat, and accurate; spelling and handwriting are important
- Be sure to read and follow all directions; do not leave any spaces blank
- It’s important to memorize all nine digits of your social security number
- Use actual job titles that you are either applying for or for your references
- Use actual dates of things like time you were at a job or when you can start a job
- If you are applying for a job – you may be asked if your current employer can be contacted – if you mark yes, this is acting like a reference and your employer may be contacted. You should first notify them.
- Some applications ask for the names, addresses, and phone numbers of schools you have attended or jobs you have previously had. Make sure to have that information. Keep a photo on your phone of a completed application for easy reference.
- If you have taken any vocational classes, list those skills under education if they resulted in a certificate or credential.
- When listing your employment history, be sure to use reverse chronological order – most recent first.
- Past duties should demonstrate skills relevant to the job for which you are applying.
- Reason for leaving should not be worded negatively.
- Ask permission before using someone as a reference
- References should be teachers, coaches, or people you have done volunteer work for. They should not be family or friends.
- Any application is a legal document, don’t forget to sign and date it.