2. How to fill out a job application

When you apply for a job, you are typically asked to complete an employment application. You may be asked to complete a job application even if you've already submitted a resume and cover letter. Asking all candidates for the same information standardizes the job application process.

Also, the employer will have a record of your personal and employment history, verified, and signed by you. When you sign the application, you are confirming that all the information on it is accurate, so it's important to be sure it's correct.
It's important for your job applications to be complete, error-free, and accurate.

Information Needed to Complete a Job Application

Regardless of whether you complete an online job application or apply in-person, make sure you have ready all the information you'll need in advance. The list below includes all the information you need to complete an application for employment.

Personal Information

Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Phone Number- Make sure you have a professional greeting for your voice mail. Employers will often call, everything about you will represent how you are perceived by a potential employer. In doubt, always use the carrier default message for voice mail.

Email Address- If you do not have an email address get one, most employers find email an easy and quick way to correspond. Email accounts are easy and free to setup.

Eligibility to work in the U.S.

Education

Schools/Colleges Attended
Training Programs
Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates
Graduation Dates(s)

Employment Information

Names, addresses, and phone numbers of previous employers
Supervisor's Name
Dates of Employment
Salary
Reason for Leaving- This can be tricky to answer if not prepared to answer. You never want to list a negative as a reason for leaving.
Examples of appropriate answers

1. Career Advancement
2. Work Schedule
3. Upward mobility possibilities
4. Work life balance

Here are some steps you can follow to explain a termination:

Be honest.
Keep it simple.
Remain positive.
Demonstrate personal growth.
Promote your skills and experience.

1. Be honest
Always be honest about why you were terminated from a previous position. Because people are let go for a variety of different reasons, you should try to give the potential employer the most objective explanation that you can. Calmly explain the circumstances for why you were fired to demonstrate maturity.

2. Keep it simple
While an employer wants to understand the circumstances behind your termination, it's important to present the basic facts and keep your explanation as simple and brief as possible. Don't feel obligated to give details about what led to being fired unless necessary.

3. Remain positive
It's important to remain calm and positive and avoid saying anything negative about your previous employer. Because the hiring manager is evaluating whether you will be a positive addition to the team, be mindful of how you start and end the conversation.

4. Demonstrate personal growth
Once you have explained the basic circumstances behind your termination, use them to demonstrate what you have learned, both about your career and who you are as a person. Explain to the potential employer what you would have done differently, given the opportunity to revisit that moment. Accept responsibility for any mistakes you made. Describe any steps you've taken to prevent it from happening again.

5. Promote your skills and experience
Practice gracefully changing the topic of discussion to the value you have to offer a company. This helps you keep the conversation about your termination as brief as possible, and lets you transition to discussing your skills, experience, and the open position.

References

List of three references, including names, job title or relationship, addresses, phone numbers.

Note: Do not list a relative as a reference unless asked for a PERSONAL reference.

Position Applied for Information- Know the position and title of the position you are applying for.

Hours/days available to work- List the days and times you are available

When you can start work- Rather than list “immediate” provide an actual date.

Resume

If you're applying online, there may be an option to upload your resume as part of the application.

Application Questions You Don't Have to Answer

There are some questions that shouldn't be on a job application. You are not required to answer questions about race, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, public assistance, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

How to Get the Information You Need to Apply

Double-check to make sure that you have all the information you need so you're ready to apply right away for open positions, and so that you're providing the employer with your most current education and employment status.

Review Your Employment History: You'll need your resume or a list of your employment and education history to make sure that you're listing the correct dates of employment, job titles, and education. Your resume should match the job application perfectly because discrepancies will be noticed.

Download a Sample Job Application: Download a job application sample and practice filling it out. That way you can be sure that you have all the necessary information, in advance. That will make it easier to apply.

Ask for an Application Form: If you're applying for a position in-person, ask for a job application form, then take it home with you to complete. You can take your time filling it out so it will be neat and accurate when you return to drop it off.

How to Make the Best Impression

When You Apply In-Person: When you stop by to pick up or drop off a job application form, be sure you're dressed appropriately. You may end up speaking to the hiring manager, and it's important to look professional just in case you get an on-the-spot interview.

In-Person Job Application Checklist: If you review an in-person job application list beforehand, you'll avoid making any glaring errors during the interview process.

When You Apply Online: Job application forms for many companies are often available online, so be ready to complete them. For example, a Walmart Employment Application can be completed online, and the same holds true for many other large national employers. In fact, some employers no longer accept paper applications, and applicants are required to apply on the company website or on the site where the company listed the job openings.

Always Follow the Instructions: Explicitly follow the instructions when completing both online and paper job applications. The slightest error could knock your application out of the running before an employer even gets a chance to look at it. You might also want to check the company website or the fine print on the job application form, to verify you've followed the directions as instructed.

Review Before You Submit: Thoroughly read the instructions for applying for employment before you click the submit button or hand in your application. Make sure every field is filled in. Some companies refuse to accept an incomplete application.

Notify Your References: Let your references know that you've listed them on your application so that they can expect an email or a call.

Review Sample Job Applications and Letters

Remember, the more prepared you are, the better your chances of getting hired. It pays to review sample job applications to give you an idea of what will be asked of you. It also pays to print out one or two application forms and complete them, so you know you have all the information needed to complete actual employment applications.

If you need to mail a job application or follow-up on an application you've submitted, take the time to review some sample job application letters for examples of what to write and how to follow up.