The job application checklist: before you press send

Confirm the role is viable

Read the full advert, not only the title. Check location, working pattern, hours, salary information, closing date, required qualifications and any right-to-work or licence conditions.

Separate genuine requirements from preferences. You do not need to match every desirable point, but you should understand any essential condition before investing time in the application.

• Can you realistically travel to or perform the role?
• Do the hours and contract work for you?
• Do you meet essential qualifications or legal requirements?
• Is the application route and employer identity credible?
• Do you know the actual deadline and time zone?

Match your evidence to the advert

Highlight the main requirements and check that your strongest relevant evidence appears early in the CV or application. Reorder and rewrite for clarity, but keep every fact true.

For supporting statements, use the criteria as a checklist. Answer each important point with evidence rather than relying on one general paragraph about being motivated.

Check every field and attachment

If a form times out, drafting longer answers in a separate document can help. Paste carefully, then check that formatting, apostrophes and line breaks survived.

• Your phone number and email address are current.
• Employment dates and qualifications are consistent.
• The employer and role name are correct throughout.
• Required questions are answered within the word limit.
• Attachments open correctly and use clear filenames.
• Track changes, comments and old draft text are removed.
• The application contains no sensitive information the employer did not request.

Proofread in two passes

Use the first pass for meaning: does each answer address the question and show relevant evidence? Use the second pass for details: spelling, dates, names, repeated words and missing attachments.

Reading aloud slows you down enough to hear awkward sentences. If possible, take a short break before the final check or ask a trusted person to review the vacancy and application together.

Save evidence after submitting

Keep the job description, the CV version, your submitted answers, the date and any confirmation number. Job adverts can disappear after closing, and your saved version is essential interview preparation.

Record the next action: waiting, assessment, interview or follow-up date. A simple tracker helps you focus on live opportunities and prevents duplicate applications.