Attachment to Application Form:
Some forms ask for certain attachments and in other cases you may feel that your application may be enhanced if supported by relevant documents. But be warned – NEVER send ‘original’ documents. Always send photocopies or copies reproduced by some other method. Documentary attachments to application forms may include:-
Recommendations, References, Testimonial:- These may include copies of letters from former employers, or other persons who know you well and think highly enough of you to put information about you in writing (for example, a priest or a similar religious person, a scout leader, the organiser of a charity which you have assisted, and so on). Some employers – often with good reason – are suspicious of ‘glowing’ recommendations written by former employers; this is because in order to get rid of an employee, or to do so without trouble, some employers may provide much better references, etc. that are really warranted. This is a sad situation for those in possession of ‘genuinely’ good references, etc. but one which has to be accepted.
Certificates, Diplomas, School Reports, etc.:- These are, of course, valuable in many cases. Such documents awarded by recognised examining bodies are best. In some cases, evidence of membership of professional bodies may be beneficial. Where study or training is still being undertaken, documentary evidence of this fact may prove helpful.
Curriculum Vitae:- This Latin term (often abbreviated to C.V.) refers to a brief account of one’s career. It generally contains much the same information (although often more) that is requested by an application form, but generaly in a more summarised form. Such documents are prepared (and often printed, duplicated or photo-copied) by those with, perhaps, particularly good qualifications, or those who have had chequered careers or wide and varied experience.
They are often useful in enabling prospective employers (and others) to ‘scan’ quickly through the main facts concerning a person and his/her career. They should, however, be only factual summaries; they should not be long, rambling or boring, and must not include anything which can be constructed by readers as ‘boastfulness’.
In some cases it may be benefial to return completed application forms with a bried, explanatory ‘covering letter’; to be covered in a later post.
To end this topic, we must emphasise that all information you give in an application form must be true, factual and accurate. If you try to ‘hide’ anything or distort facts and – during an interview for instance – you are ‘found out’, you are unlikely to be offered the vacant post.