Why look at application forms now?
'Application forms' used for many types of 'job'
application:
 graduate positions
 placements (SW degree; useful for PSP3)
 summer work experience (useful for PSP3)
 part-time work (useful for PSP3)
PSP 1 activity
 complete SAF for a job/placement that you are eligible
to apply for
 shortlist candidates
 Guidance on compiling application forms, CVs &
covering letters in Placement Booklet and on PSP1 and
year one Bb sites
 Follow guidelines closely
 Remember the aim of an application form or CV
 The more forms /questions you complete the easier
they get!
Application forms
 some companies have their own application forms, others use an
SAF
 for PSP1 activity you will complete our version of the SAF
 the SAF is on Bb (PSP1, careers & employability, mock job
application)
 look at and think about questions prior to IT session
 complete most of form during IT session
 submit form via PSP1 Bb site
 other example questions included in guidance document
 build up a 'bank' of answers - personalise to specific applications
Making Applications: General Issues
 follow instructions with job ad / application form
 think of your attributes / strengths; include in answers
 link your course, skills and interests to the job description /
person specification
 provide evidence to support your claims - specific examples not
generalisations
 ensure answers are an appropriate length
 when filling in forms for placements / jobs: get a 2nd opinion
about answers if you are unsure
 Do some trial runs - e.g.s in Placement booklet
 Build up a 'bank' of answers (in a word doc)
 Think about questions / answers before completing the
form (especially if it is on-line)
 Do what they ask
 Answer the question asked (all parts)
 Answer all questions - only use N/A if it really is the case
 Think what is on your CV - do you cover all the info?
 Emphasise strengths and experience
 Demonstrate personal development / key skills
 What attributes do you have / is the employer interested in?
 Do some research on the company - they will have a website
 Don't expand on the truth!
Get advice e.g.
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applicati
ons__CVs_and_interviews/Job_applications/Application_forms/
p!egFlab
http://careerscentral.shu.ac.uk/
Example Questions
 What would you gain from a placement here and how can you
contribute towards that placement? Please draw on any relevant
experience, achievements, skills and interests you may have.
 What would you like to achieve during your industrial training
placement?
 Which subject in your degree did you most enjoy and why?
 Give details of your outside interests. What do you bring to
them and what do you get out of them?
Ensure you link the answers to the job requirements
/ person specification
Identify key points in the job description / person
specification
Biology and DMPK research positions
Prosidion Limited is a research-driven biotechnology company dedicated to the
discovery and development of novel therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity. We
have a clinical pipeline with several innovative drug candidates that have
progressed into clinical development, most notably PSN821, a GPR119 agonist for
the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The biological research focus of neuroendocrine control of body weight and
glycemia, combined with special expertise in the area of designed multiple ligands
is geared to deliver novel, innovative best-in-class therapies for metabolic
diseases.
We are currently seeking undergraduate biologists to work for 12 months as
Industrial Placement students in our biological research departments of Assay
Development, Molecular Pharmacology or DMPK. The placement will be
practically based and you will gain training in the relevant techniques as well as
being exposed to industrial research at the forefront of science. The position
requires good communication skills, the ability to work effectively with other
scientists within and across teams. Good numeracy, computer skills and diligent
record keeping are required.
Identify key points in the job description / person
specification
Biology and DMPK research positions
Prosidion Limited is a research-driven biotechnology company dedicated to the
discovery and development of novel therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity. We
have a clinical pipeline with several innovative drug candidates that have
progressed into clinical development, most notably PSN821, a GPR119 agonist for
the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The biological research focus of neuroendocrine control of body weight and
glycemia, combined with special expertise in the area of designed multiple ligands
is geared to deliver novel, innovative best-in-class therapies for metabolic
diseases.
We are currently seeking undergraduate biologists to work for 12 months as
Industrial Placement students in our biological research departments of Assay
Development, Molecular Pharmacology or DMPK. The placement will be
practically based and you will gain training in the relevant techniques as well as
being exposed to industrial research at the forefront of science. The position
requires good communication skills, the ability to work effectively with other
scientists within and across teams. Good numeracy, computer skills and diligent
record keeping are required.
Further detail
In the Assay Development Group you will be part of a team who test compounds
synthesized by our medicinal chemists in various primary and secondary assays. You will be
trained in cell culture techniques, assay development, compound screening and data
evaluation procedures, and you will be able to employ these skills within one of our
discovery projects.
In the Molecular Pharmacology Group you will join a team of scientists working on
insulin and incretin biology dedicated to driving and supporting our research projects in
this area. With training, you will focus on early applied research using in vitro cell based
functional assays and ELISA based detection platforms.
In the DMPK Group you will be part of a small dedicated team who use state of the art
LC/MS/MS instruments to carry out ADME studies in partnership with the research
functions. Extensive training will be given in bioanalytical and robotic methodology and
there is an opportunity to carry out your own project on the development of new
methodologies.
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a disturbance allowance to help with relocation
costs as well as assistance where required in finding accommodation, 28 days’ paid annual
leave equivalent throughout the placement and a discretionary flexible working hours
scheme.
Further detail
In the Assay Development Group you will be part of a team who test compounds
synthesized by our medicinal chemists in various primary and secondary assays. You will be
trained in cell culture techniques, assay development, compound screening and data
evaluation procedures, and you will be able to employ these skills within one of our
discovery projects.
In the Molecular Pharmacology Group you will join a team of scientists working on
insulin and incretin biology dedicated to driving and supporting our research projects in
this area. With training, you will focus on early applied research using in vitro cell based
functional assays and ELISA based detection platforms.
In the DMPK Group you will be part of a small dedicated team who use state of the art
LC/MS/MS instruments to carry out ADME studies in partnership with the research
functions. Extensive training will be given in bioanalytical and robotic methodology and
there is an opportunity to carry out your own project on the development of new
methodologies.
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a disturbance allowance to help with relocation
costs as well as assistance where required in finding accommodation, 28 days’ paid annual
leave equivalent throughout the placement and a discretionary flexible working hours
scheme.
What now?
 Link info in advert to your application
 Show you have interest in or knowledge of the specific
techniques
 provide evidence of your team working and
communication skills
 give examples of your use of numeracy /computing skills
 show an interest in research and project work
 think how you can address these areas in the questions on
the application form - use action words
Use the STAR system to help evidence skills
Look at Careers Central for guidance
http://careerscentral.shu.ac.uk/topics/applicationforms/answer-star/
 Situation
 Task
 Action
 Result
Essential / desirable
 Employers will often have a list of essential and
desirable attributes that they use to rank applications
 You should be able to work these out from the job
description / person spec
 Ensure you give evidence of all essentials and as many
desirables as possible
 Using an essentials / desirables checklist is often how
an employer will shortlist for interviews
Identify key points in the job description / person
specification
Biology and DMPK research positions
Prosidion Limited is a research-driven biotechnology company dedicated to the
discovery and development of novel therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity. We
have a clinical pipeline with several innovative drug candidates that have
progressed into clinical development, most notably PSN821, a GPR119 agonist for
the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The biological research focus of neuroendocrine control of body weight and
glycemia, combined with special expertise in the area of designed multiple ligands
is geared to deliver novel, innovative best-in-class therapies for metabolic
diseases.
We are currently seeking undergraduate biologists to work for 12 months as
Industrial Placement students in our biological research departments of Assay
Development, Molecular Pharmacology or DMPK. The placement will be
practically based and you will gain training in the relevant techniques as well as
being exposed to industrial research at the forefront of science. The position
requires good communication skills, the ability to work effectively with other
scientists within and across teams. Good numeracy, computer skills and diligent
record keeping are required.
Essentials?






UG Biologist
practical skills
good communication skills
team working
numeracy & computer skills
diligent record keeping
EVIDENCE
Desirable?
 research experience or interest
 project work
 knowledge of drug development / clinical trial process
 experience / knowledge of specific techniques
EVIDENCE
Further help….
Use facilities available to you:
 placement team
 resources in Careers Service (Ruth Holland)
 'google' CV, application forms etc to see examples
(remember these can be bad as well as good!)
 look at SHU Careers Central plus websites such as
www.prospects.ac.uk