WGI Application Process
All WGI applications must be made using the WGI Application Form, downloadable HERE and emailed directly to the host employer.
As you are submitting the WGI application via email, you can either make the Covering Letter as part of the body of the email; OR attach a separate Covering Letter document in the format of a ‘proper’ letter. Click on How to write a Covering Letter for further guidance.
Important! Some employers may have additional application requests e.g. psychometric test or CV. Check that you have attached all the employer’s application requirements and the completed WGI Application Form.
Send all the documents directly to the host employer's email address - details can be found under “How to Apply” section at the bottom of the internship vacancy advert on myAdvantage.
A full list of WGI vacancies can be viewed in Vacancies box and on myAdvantage (type in 'WGI' to search).
Before making applications
Here are some things to consider before starting on applications:
- To disclose or not to disclose? Prexisting medical conditions, disabilities and criminal offences. Use our guidance to make informed decisions
- Think about and analyse your skills
- Tell Your Story - Get ahead in applications and interviews by telling your story with confidence. Learn How To Tell Your Story and stand out from other candidates
Get your application right
Your application is your opportunity to tell the organisation why you are the best candidate for the role and the best fit for their company. You need to be the applicant that they pay attention to and remember. To do this, you need to give careful thought to your application. Start by applying these rules to avoid basic errors in an application.
- EXPLAIN - You need to explain why you want the job. Not just "because it is close to where you live". But WHY do you want to work for that organisation in particular, what makes you the right fit for them? What excites you about the role and what can you bring to the table?
- INFORM - Relate your skills to the person specification in the vacancy advert. In addition to the ones in the bullet points, some additional requirements may sometimes be included within the paragraph of the advert, so read carefully. Don't just tell the organisation what you can do. Provide context for how you acquired those skills, evidence of times when you have used them and make the examples relevant to the role that you are applying for.
- FOCUS - Only include what is relevant to the role. Whilst it may be lovely that you went on a weekend bakery course and learned to make the perfect crispy baguette, a whimsical paragraph won't impress the organisation - unless of course it is relatable to the role.
- GRAMMAR - There is no place for spelling and grammar mistakes in applications. Proof read and read again. Ask someone else to check it over for you and/or use software applications that can detect errors.
Warwick’s the careers blog have a section dedicated to Applications with articles such as 8 Top Tips for Application Success and From good to great: make your job applications stand out, which you may find useful.
Access the comprehensive advice pages of Student Careers and Skills for information about applications, CV's, cover letters and more! The below may be of specific interest
Application questions?
Although some employers still ask for a CV and covering letter, many recruiters prefer online applications. Whatever the method, employers are looking for evidence that you have the relevant skills, experience and attributes combined with potential, commitment and motivation to excel at the role within the organisation.
When you read a job description or person specification for a role, think of the requirements, what the role needs you to be, as a series of questions. Address each "question" with an "answer" that demonstrates that you meet that criteria. Aside from biographical questions, there are two main types of questions to consider:
Motivational questions
The keyword here is research.
- Industry - what do you find appealing about it?
- Organisation - what differentiates it from others?
- Role - how do your experiences match it and how does it fit with your career aspirations?
You must provide a convincing argument to answer these types of questions - prove that you have done your research!
Competency based questions
These questions will require you to provide examples of situations where you demonstrated a specific skill or competency: the employer is looking for hard evidence. When writing your answers make sure that you are demonstrating that you possess the required qualities.
When answering these questions, using the CARE framework will help you clearly structure your answer in a coherent and logical manner
- CONTEXT - briefly set the scene: what was the situation/context?
- ACTION - What action did you take and what skills did you use/develop?
- RESULT - What was the outcome? What happened?
- EVALUATION - What did you learn from this experience? What might you do differently next time?
Use this CARE Model exercise to practice writing about your competencies
You will encounter motivational and competency based questions at both application and interview stages of the recruitment process so you can apply the above techniques in both scenarios.