Application form - I need your help.....

[QueenOfQuotes]

oh wise and wonderful MN'ers. I'm about to start filling in an application form for a Care Assistant job - descrption of which is

"Must be aged 21+ years. NVQ Level 2 preferred but not essential, as training can be given. Duties involve caring for the personal needs of elderly residents. Will be required to make hourly checks on residents and assisting them with their needs. Some domestic work is required."

DH doesn't seem to "fussed" about this one, so is giving me very little (actually make that "no") input - but it's a job I'd really love to do. I haven't filled in many application forms before (4 to be precise - and they were all for shop/customer service assistants - so a completely different ball game).

I need your help to give me a chance of at elast getting an interview LOL.

1. Should I write in capitals or normal 'sentence' case? on 2 of the forms I filled in a few weeks ago it specified (ie one said "block capitals" the other said "normal handwriting" - or something to that effect LOL). This one doesn't say - and I don't want to stuff it up from the very start.

2. There's not many 'bits' to fill in. One small(ish) box for qualifications, training and/or relevant experience (of which I have none ) and then nearly a whole page (18 lines to be precise and - it's a badly photocopied form so about 1cm missing from the bottom lines at one side ) for "any other information you wish to give in support of your application")

What do I say??? How on earth do I find something (that takes up a reasonable amount of space) that will 'support' my application.

3. It's got a 'pre-employment questionaire' (health and fitness basically). One section has a whole list of "are you suffering or have you every suffered from:" type things.....and one is depression, anxeity or nervous illness blah blah blah......I had depression at the start of the year - but I'm fine again now - will that affect my chances???

No it will not affect your chances

I would go for sentence case if it doesn't specifiy, as it's so much easier on the eye. I think your supporting information is the bit you've said, "it's a job I'd love to do". Expand on that a bit, say why, and that's all you can do really. Stuff about how reliable and trustworthy you are too, I guess.

I wouldn't have thought depression should make any difference. If you are no longer needing medication I would stress that just in case, but it should be fine.

Good luck with it.

also as a primary care giver her for two children you have loads of experience in in multitasking, empathising with the needs of others, examining potential risks etc

1. unless it says to the contrary then normal handwriting will be acceptable

2. you have plenty of experience of looking after small children which cant be too dissimilar to looking after the elderly ie. you show compassion, consideration, care, attention to others' needs etc

3. wouldnt think it would affect your chances. Can you be slightly economical and say you were feeling a little under the weather?

good luck

YOU do have care experience..talk about your experience of bringing up your children and expand on how you want to work in a role where you can get satisfaction from providing support to others.

Re teh depression : did you go to the GP and receive medication. If not, don't declare it. If yes, then state that you suffered from minor depression and would be happy to expand on it if required at interview

you guys are fantastic - I'm not very good at finding my 'good' points - and if I do find them - I never know how to put them in writing

skinny - I don't think that would be too wise (economising on the truth) - when I sign the form I'm also agreeing that a medical report may be obtained from my doctor LOL.

you know what - I didn't even consider my child"rearing" experience to be relevant to this job - but I suppose it is in some ways..

I suffrered from depression and have worked in kinfd of similar roles, it is not an issue and really shouldn't affect your chances of employment. I actually think it says alot about a person if they are honest about this type of thing

qoq - i guess i was trying to say what galaxy said. If it was full blown depression then fair enough but if you were "down" then dont elevate it to depression iyswim

1. Would use normal neat handwriting.Lot of people like caps just for the fact its easy to read then joined up.

2. dont worry about qualifications as a lot of care homes prefer to take on untrained and get you to do NVQ but can also teach you their way.
   to support application explain how you have an interest in this field and would like the opportunity to display your caring and hard working nature etc

3. Depression is fine tends to look more for someone who has had inconsistent sickness from jobs and the physically unable to deal with moving and handling. Just clarify your depression is now under control etc as it can be a stressful environment to work in.

You have got relevant experience, though. Caring for very young children must be equivalent to the care level required for elderly people. You'd still need patience, tolerance, strong stomach(?). You're used to being gentle enough with babies so can transfer that skill to old people.

And surely you have the experience of domestic work too.

1. I'd go for normal handwriting, unless it says otherwise.

2)You can carry on writing on an extra piece of paper stapled to the application form. Just make sure you put your name at the top. You're a mother, which is the ultimate caring job. Unless you keep them locked in a cupboard with CBeebies. There's also the church work you do, which will have given you plenty of 'life experience,' which is what they're looking for. Mention any volunteering you do with oldies in the congregation.

3)Your previous (resolved) depression shouldn't affect your chances. We recently took on an employee with a similar history, depression linked to bereavement, OK now. If your supporting experience looks good and your application is literate, I would imagine you'll get an interview.

child rearing is so relevant

Don't you teach piano, too? I would put that in- need to empathise, be patient, respect the idea that people have different needs and abilities etc etc.

caring for adults is more difficult than children...mainly because even though they are sometimes at same mentality the physical side of the job in terms of adults who can hit out etc can be a lot harder to deal with. It is natural to want to defend in a certain way but working with vunerable adults you cant do this.

i wouldn't mention strong stomach though, it kind of goes without saying. I would also mention something about being good at report writing and responding calmly in potentially difficult situations and having an ability to relate to others on many different levels.

Also, well organised, highly motivated, enthusiastic and with a genereal interest in the care and well being of clients with regards to their needs and their individual care plans and daily routines

ooo - you guys are wonderful

I hate knowing what I want to say, but not being able to put it in writing

And a willingness to promote the facilitation of local amenities for all clients who require such support.

You could also if feeling really clever have a look at the new Care Standards and just say something like- with the introduction of the new care standarsd it is essential that each client is cared for and respected as an individual and i would endeavor to promote such working practise. can you tell 've done this before??

Mind you, I would hate to be asked to be more specific about my willingness to promote the facilitation of local amenities at a interview Do you know anyone who does similar work, who could show you some care plans and stuff?

All it means tanum is being able to assist in access to libraries and post offices etc and maintaining a level of independance

nvq in care is about promoting independence and respceting choice. So in every activity whether it be providing a meal or going for a walk the individual has some level of choice and is informed regardless of their capability level.

I know, I was just joking- I think you do need to be confident about stuff like that though before an interview, because QoQ says she doesn't have any direct experience.

although sad to say in reality a lot of care homes dont follow these standars apart from when being observed by assessors.