Application form answers

[solitudehappiness]

Hi
Can anyone help me with answers to questions on an application form. I'm on maternity leave, and my confidence isn't that high, and am really struggling with applying for jobs.
Can anyone help me out with answers to questions on an application form please? I've got such a mind blank and its really stressing me out :(

I have to note all skills linking into the person specification.

AAAAGGGGHHH.

I think the fact that I really need this job is making me feel more stressed.... and I only have limited time eg. when baby is sleeping.

Hi SolitudeHappiness,
Don't panic about this. Usually the skills that are required to be listed are those most relevant for the job. So you have the Job Description, and the corresponding Person Specification, itemising skills & abilities that are essential/ desirable.

If you have the person spec, you can go through it in rough, thinking about all the occasions that you have demonstrated that skill/ ability - not just in paid employment, but in any capacity. So, you need evidence & if you can think of the impact that your input had, you should mention that too.

What is the job that you're applying for?

Thanks CareersDragon
The job is for an office coordinator, managing support workers at Citizens Advice Bureau. I've had a look through and am just really struggling. I've since spoken to a friend, and it seems easier than I first thought. I'm also chief procrastinator right now :)

You need to type out all of the skills in the person spec and write a para about each of them.

Lol! I know that state of mind all too well...

When you look at the form, view yourself as your best friend might, so that you don't undervalue your skills. It's all too easy to lose confidence in your abilities when you've been out of the workplace for a bit. If you were answering the questions in the 3rd person, "SolitudeHappiness has x skill developed during her time in xxx" it's sometimes easier to be positive. Not that you should actually complete the form in the 3rd person, mind!

It's late, and I think the last para is confusing. Hope you can make sense of it...

Good luck!

Have you got the guidance that tells you to use S.T.A.R.? specific- give a specific example, task- briefly describe the task, action - tell us what you did, results - describe what results were achieved. CAB job forms are a bit tortuous but you can use non work examples as well as work ones.

Thank you for all your answers. I've been thinking about this for the past two days now. And, as I'm feeling so tired after a fun filled day with dd I'm going to get up very early before dd wakes up and complete the form. Going to get an early night now. Fingers crossed when I email the form tomorrow I'll get an interview. I so need a job :)

Didn't manage to get form sent today.
Oh god I'm really struggling. :(
I just can't seem to think of the words and being dyspraxic isn't helping either.
Would any members mind if I pm'd them or visa versa and help me out with a couple of points that I'm struggling on? Please someone help me out.
My maternity pay ends in just over a week and I have to find a job. I'm doing a course and have to finish two placements by May 2014 else I won't pass and I have to pay for supervision and childcare. If I don't get a job I don't know how I'll do it. Think this is what is stressing me out so much hence struggling so much.

Hi there! I don't mind if you want to pm me xx

Look at each point of the person spec and answer each one point by point. State what experience you have which evidences exactly how you meet the spec. For instance don't just say 'am a good team worker'. Give an example which shows how you work effectively in a team. An example for each point. Ensure you cover every point. Transferable skills are also good.

Good luck.