Application Tips

Whether this is your first step into the working world, or if you are planning your next career move, applying to a job can be unnerving.

We want to help you present yourself in the best possible way, so we’ve collected our top tips for you.

Preparing your CV

Put yourself in the reader's shoes.
Your CV layout and content should be easy to read.
Bullet points are helpful.
Check you are suitable for the job you are applying for, and have the essential skills and requirements listed.
Include these skills and requirements under the roles where you gained that experience.

Our online application has a mandatory questionnaire.
Answer the questions as thoroughly as you can, as you would in a cover letter.
A thoughtfully answered questionnaire can help your application really stand out.

Familiarise yourself with Oxford Biomedica through recent news, our website, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Review the job description for key responsibilities and accountabilities
Ensure you are well informed about the job and its responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with Competency and Behavioural based interviewing.
Consider five different scenarios from your past experience that you can adapt to suit the interviewers' questions.
Think about what you would like to ask the interviewers.

Put yourself in the reader's shoes.
Your CV layout and content should be easy to read.
Bullet points are helpful.
Check you are suitable for the job you are applying for, and have the essential skills and requirements listed.
Include these skills and requirements under the roles where you gained that experience.

Our online application has a mandatory questionnaire.
Answer the questions as thoroughly as you can, as you would in a cover letter.
A thoughtfully answered questionnaire can help your application really stand out.

Familiarise yourself with Oxford Biomedica through recent news, our website, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Review the job description for key responsibilities and accountabilities
Ensure you are well informed about the job and its responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with Competency and Behavioural based interviewing.
Consider five different scenarios from your past experience that you can adapt to suit the interviewers' questions.
Think about what you would like to ask the interviewers.

If asked, prepare a presentation on the topic provided.
Review and edit your presentation until it is the right length.
Practise your presentation in front of a mirror, or even in front of a friend or relative.
Email the final version to the Recruitment team to share with the panel ready for your interview.

Listen to the question carefully
If unsure what is being asked, ask for clarification.
Take a moment to consider your response before replying.
Use the STAR technique.
Use a different example for each question where possible.
Speak clearly and keep your answers to the point.
If you are given a facilities tour, you should ask your guide any relevant questions as you are still being assessed during the tour.