Online application forms: Dos and Don'ts

DO read and follow instructions carefully before submitting your form.
DO save your work as you go along – it can be helpful to come back later and look at it again with fresh eyes’.
DO print out the completed copy, proofread it and get a friend or relative to check it.
DO keep the printed copy to look at if you get an interview or to copy material from in the future.
DON’T be tempted to complete the online form without first writing a draft.
DON’T be too informal or treat it as you would e-mail.
DON’T exceed any word counts specified within the form.
DON’T use silly e-mail addresses to send it from (and use a sensible password in case you need to contact the employer to remind you of it!).

Further information

R. Fein, 100 Great Jobs and How to Get Them, Impact Publications (1999)
R. Fein, 95 Mistakes Job Seekers Make and How to Avoid Them, Impact Publications (2003)
M. Messmer, Job Hunting for Dummies, IDG Books (1999)
M. Parkinson, Your Job Search Made Easy, Kogan Page Ltd (2002)
J. Seely and J. Leigh, CVs and Job Applications, Oxford University Press (2004)