• I think that people might have more luck with local authorities and housing associations. Very detailed job descriptions and jobs/person specifications are issued. Read it all thoroughly and then take the person spec and give real information and examples of your work e.g don't just say you have x qualification but also give an example of where you applied this qualification and talk about your achievements without being over boastful. If you can cover each point on the person spec you stand a good chance of interview.
  • Type it all with bulleted lists in Word and do proper spell checks. Give the Word document the title of that page or paragraph. Start a new document for another paragraph. Then on the application form write 'See attached Word document headed ABC'. Application forms get photocopied and if you supply a lot of the information such as education and experience on a Word document it turns out nice and pristine and can easily be read through which may not be the case if you squeeze it into an application form. I alawys put 'footers on mine saying 'Page 1 of 2 Experience and my initials' for example. That way it should all remain organised and attached to my application and not attributed to someone else. Get someone else to read your application and accept feedback.
  • Look at your educational qualifications and take the ones you did at 15/16 years and say this is the equilvalent of GCSE exams. The ones you did at 17/18 may equate to the A levels children take in the UK. They are not going to do the homework on this so break it down for them. Don't gloss over things. If you sudied French, history, maths English lit, chemistry, physics at 15/16 exams give this detail. If a course you took is the equivalent of a university entrance or A levels then say so. Just accept that you have had an excellent eduacation and put it across. They are not going to fish for it. Spell it out.
  • If there is something on the person spec about equla opportunites write a decent statement about not just race but hearing impaired, people in wheel chairs. Write from your heart about how you feel treating people with respect matters to you. Avoid giving some meaningless wrap up sentence. Write like you are speaking to them.
  • Show that you understand the importance of deadlines, of keeping people informed well in advance if you cannot meet them and show your understanding of the importance of team work. Again give examples from your working life. They want a flavour of you as an individual.
  • Last but not least know what you have written inside out and know that those interviewing you will only have glanced at it so regurgitate it verbally in your answers at interview. Don't think that they have read it and know it.