Application forms, additional info section, oh crap!

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At the moment I'm looking for a job in the scientific field and am applying for posts such as Lab Technician or Lab Assistant in order to gain some valuable experience in a laboratory.

I'm in the middle of filling out an application form for the post of Microbiology Technician and, apart from one section, I found the other sections relatively easy. This one section, entitled the Additional Information section, requires you to write about yourself in relation to the job and why you think you'd be good for it and then it tells you that if you are asked for interview they'll ask you the same at the interview. For some reason, my mind goes blank or it goes WWAAAAAAHHHH!! !! when I get to this section as I have already written down my work experience and my qualifications. I sort of know what I'm supposed to write, but it's presenting in a manner that the employer will understand and be impressed by that concerns me.

Is it just me who feels deeply worried by this or do others?

I think it bothers lots of people. Like the essay question on a college app: you're not quite sure what the reviewers want to hear.

I think they're inviting you to brag a bit. The more you say about what you can do, the more healthy self-esteem you show. But don't embellish or exaggerate. Say things like: "On my last assignment as (blank), I was responsible for (blank). I brought the project in on time/ahead of time and on budget/under budget."

As Joe Friday would say, "Just the facts."
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"Everything that can be said has been said, but we have to say it again because no one was listening." --Andre Gide

Last edited by wandrew on 10 Feb 2006, 7:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Its required? I usually leave those blank... When they ask in interview about hobbies etc I am just honest... Tell them Im pretty boring, like computers, movies and listening to music.

I would say the additional information section is pretty much the deciding factor for the interview ! !

I had problems this at first. Then I was on some random forum and someone was kind enough to send a copy of one he wrote. And I have used that format ever since and got me a few interviews (pity I just suck at interviews so it doesnt even lead to a job)

Basically the person shortlisting is going to skim through this so you need to make it easy for them to read.

Split it up into sections. Look at exactly what they ask for when they want "additional information" do they want details of experience ? why you want the job ? If they dont say anything then just do both.

This how I structured it

Intro
------

Give a short paragraph on your current status such as whether you are a recent graduate, what you current or previous job is.

Why you want the job
-------------------------

A short paragraph saying why you want to work at that company and in that job role. You can suck up big time here

and then I go on to say "I shall use the following section to directly address the selection criteria on a point by point basis:"

Now split it up into subsections each one with a heading. This makes it look structured and the shortlister will be impressed with this, but more importantly it makes it very easy to read.

So some examples of things you can cover are

Qualifications
Experience
Skills
Personal Qualities/skills (teamwork, communication, hobbies etc)

Dont waffle about your hobbies, concentrate on your skills you can use to make you the right person for the job.

And end it with a short sentence or paragraph saying how your skillset matches the job role.

Hope this helps

Thank you, this looks like a good structure to take, I'd never thought to structure it before as I tend to be so intimidated that I just write summat or leave it blank. I have now found a job that I think would move my career forward and really want it. So thanks.