by Blair Worthington

Created on: January 04, 2010

The job application.  It is often the first tangible piece of information between a job applicant and a potential employer.  Often job seekers do not realize how much weight a few simple sheets of paper can hold.  As a Recruiter who has reviewed hundreds of applications in consideration of a variety of positions, there are a few things I can share with you that may make the difference between an application getting a second look, and one that will never get a second glance.

Neatness Counts

First impressions say a lot about an individual.  Indeed, what we have all learned in elementary school still makes sense throughout our adult lives.  Neatness does count.  A job application that reaches my desk with careless handwriting or spelling mistakes says one thing clearly.  And that message would be that this potential employee doesn’t really care much about doing things right the first time.  If a person cannot care enough to make out a legible, clear job application, will that person care much to do a good job for my client company? Doubtful. This is one of those instances where it is fair to say that one should judge a book by it’s cover. The legibility of the job application gives the applicant the opportunity to say “this is who I am”.  This is the first opportunity for the applicant to represent himself in the best possible light. Therefore, a neat application without spelling mistakes is an absolute must.

Be Complete

Neatness will count for nothing unless the application is complete.  This means all dates of employment are filled out, including the months and years of employment.  Nothing is more frustrating to see than an application with the years of employment filled in (2007-2008 for example), to later find out that the individual only worked a duration of 3 months at that particular stint (from November 2007 – January 2008).  As well, direct questions such as “have you ever been convicted of a felony” absolutely need to be answered with a yes or no, on the job application.  At times, I have seen this question skipped on applications that I have reviewed.  If the direct questions are not answered, the application will get immediately stashed in the circular file on the floor near my desk – the trashcan.

Here’s the thing - an incomplete job application sends this message to the employer, “I am hiding

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