How to complete an application form in education

When applying for a job in education, the application form is going to be the key to making a good first impression on your potential employers. Because of this, you want to spend time ensuring that it is as close to perfection as possible before sending it off. The quality of your application form could be the difference between being progressed forward or being rejected. So, to help you out, below are some tips to consider when trying to complete an application form in education.

Research the institution before applying

You must do your research on the establishment you are applying for before filling out the application form, read and understand the job description and person specification as well as the values, beliefs and mission statement of the organisation. Doing your research will allow you to gauge if the role is the right fit for you. Quote from Ofsted reports latest exam results or their ethos statement to demonstrate your knowledge. AoC Jobs have an array of employer microsites that you can use as a research tool.

Tailor your application to that specific role

A common complaint you will hear from recruiters is that applications do not mirror the requirements of the role laid out in the job advert, job description and personal specification. It is therefore essential that you study these to ensure you meet the requirements and taylor you application according to them

Although it is tempting to use a generic application you have saved on file when applying for jobs, it is important that your application is bespoke to the role and organisation that you are applying to. Not only will this help you to stand out as it proves you have done your research. By doing this, you are essentially shortlisting yourself for the role as you’re highlighting the qualities that you have that are in are required, making the process easier for the employer down the line.

Ensure your spelling and grammar is correct

Spelling and grammar mistakes are a no go for jobs in the education sector, and especially when it comes to teaching role. Ensure you double and triple check your application before sending it off, first impressions count so do not let something as trivial as a misspelt word be a thing that stops your application from progressing you further. It is always helpful to have someone proofread your application before sending it in or use online spell check systems like Grammarly.

Have the contact details of two references ready to go

At least one of your references should be work-related for example a line manager, if you are a graduate one should be an academic reference from university, a popular choice is a personal tutor. Remember to ask the permission of your references, as you are giving out their details. Provide their

full name, job title, email address and phone number, it is also a good idea to keep your references in the loop about jobs that you have or are going to apply to.

Perfect your personal statement

We have an article published detailing how to create a professional personal statement, so have a read to help you out when drafting yours. This part of the application gives you the chance to sell yourself to employers, it allows you to highlight all your attributes that could be beneficial to employers. When you use the job description to draft your personal statement it makes it more concise and allows you to pinpoint the skills in which they are looking for, in turn making it easy for you to convey the right parts of your skillset for that specific role.

Education and employment history

Employers will want to know about both your education and employment history, they want to ensure that you are qualified for the role and have undergone all necessary training and as well as that they want to establish the depth of your knowledge and experience through your employment history. If this is your first position in education, then you will need to give details of all your training placements. Voluntary work is also good to mention, especially if it was education-related.

Now that you are equipped with the information you need to complete a brilliant application, apply to the jobs and industries that you desire to secure your interview and kickstart your career!