Job application guides
Plain-English help with the hard parts of applying: answering competency questions, writing answers that fit the word limit, and keeping on top of every application. Free, and written by people, not AI.
Answering questions
How to answer the questions that come up on almost every form and in every interview.
- Answering questionsThe STAR method: how to answer competency questionsThe four-part structure behind almost every good "tell us about a time" answer, with worked examples you can copy the shape of.4 min read
- Answering questions40 common competency questions, and what they're really askingThe same dozen skills come up in almost every application. Here are the common ways they're asked, grouped so you can prepare once.5 min read
- Answering questions"Tell me about a time you worked in a team": how to answer, with examplesThe most common competency question of all. What a strong answer shows, three examples and the mistakes that cost marks.4 min read
- Answering questions"Describe a time you showed leadership": how to answer without a job titleYou don't need to have managed anyone. What leadership questions are really testing, and examples from everyday situations.4 min read
- Answering questions"Why do you want to work here?": how to write an answer that isn't genericThe motivation question is where most applications sound the same. A three-part structure that makes yours specific.4 min read
- Answering questions"Tell me about a time you failed": how to answer honestly and wellHow to pick the right failure, own it without beating yourself up, and spend most of your answer on what you did next.4 min read
Applications
Getting organised, fitting word limits and knowing what's coming next.
- ApplicationsHow to cut an application answer to a word limitA five-step method for trimming an answer to 100, 150 or 250 words while keeping the bits that score.3 min read
- ApplicationsHow to keep track of your job applicationsWhat to record for every application, how to organise them by stage, and how to keep it up to date when you're applying to dozens.3 min read
- ApplicationsGraduate scheme applications: every stage, explainedFrom the application form to the final interview: what happens at each stage of a UK graduate scheme, and how to prepare.3 min read
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