This stuff is pretty straightforward. Your employer will ask for your name, address, phone number, and email address. This is standard procedure, and it allows the employer to contact you in the way that best fits them.

Most companies will have more than one position that they are hiring for at any one moment, and that means that you should specify which one exactly you are applying for. This helps to keep your file in the right spot, and it is a must if you don’t want to slip through the cracks.

This one goes along with desired position. Employers want to know what your expectations are from the job before they consider you. It lets them know if you have a realistic view of the job, and it also lets them know whether you are in their price range or not. You will need to do some research here to give an accurate answer. First, consider your experience in this particular line of work. Also, consider industry averages. If it’s realistic to expect only up to $50,000 a year from a position, asking for $100,000 is going to immediately discount you from realistic applicants. Likewise, asking for $25,000 a year here will let employers know that you don’t actually know the position that well.

Your potential employers want to know what you’ve been paid in the past so that can know what you would be happy with now. For example, if you made $75,000 a year at your previous job, you’re probably not going to be happy moving to a minimum wage job. Also, if you had a minimum wage job at your last three employers, asking for six figures now is probably not very realistic. It’s another way for an employer to see if this is the right position for you.

This will let your employer know what your work history is like. The types of jobs that you’ve had may or may not lead up to what you are applying for right now. The ideal situation will have you supplying information that makes your prospective job be the next natural step in your career path. You should be honest here; not everyone has the perfect career trajectory, and different employers are looking for different things.

This is a standard question. Answer truthfully. If you need any sort of supporting information, such as authorization is pending, include this.

This let’s your employer know what types of jobs you like to do, and where your potential strengths lie. You may be asked to expand on why this duty was enjoyable to you.

If you really dislike doing something, and your future employer is likely to expect the same things out of you, they are going to be far less likely to hire you. You should be honest here, because even if you really want a particular job, you don’t want to get hired if you are going to find out eventually that you hate the job. This also lets employers know where your potential weaknesses lie, so if they do hire you, they will be less likely to ask certain duties of you.

Your employer wants to know when you can work. If there is an opening, but it’s just for second shift, then you’re more likely to get hired if you are available during these times. Also, if there is a lot of turnover in the job, or if someone calls in sick, you are more likely to be hired if you can be moved around with ease. If you are unable to work certain times or days, make sure that you disclose this before you accept a job offer too, just so that everything is known before an agreement is made.

Even if the job that you are applying for doesn’t need any sort of formal training, if you have it, then you are suddenly open for advancement within the company. It’s beneficial to list your certifications even if you don’t think they are applicable because it shows that you have potential for career advancement.