How to write an application

As some of you may know, I don't have the best employment history. Two days at Claire's Accessories and- well, that's about it really. This (academic) year, I decided to up my game and apply to be a student ambassador. Or rather, I got fed up of looking for part-time jobs that wanted me to work fifteen hours or less (they didn't exist). Nostalgically wandering around the Fresher's Fayre with a couple of friends, we came across the student ambassador stall and were talked into taking home some application packs. The three of us discussed it and decided that it would be beneficial for our future -  and if we all did it together, we would be all right.

I'm still trying to figure out how I was the only one out of us who managed to fill in the multiple forms.

I didn't know what to put as my supporting statement. Why should they choose me out of all the dozens of other applicants? From what I remember, I bigged myself and, most notably, made being currently unemployed into a positive thing. I sent it off, not expecting much to come of it and allowed myself to forget all about it.

It wasn't until I got a message from one of my referees asking what I had signed up for that I started to think that maybe things were serious. Then, when I was called in for a 'group interview' type thing, I began to grow nervous. Of course, I decided getting the job wasn't important: not making a fool of myself was. So I tried hard not to embarrass myself and here I am four months later, a student ambassador (I've even got the polo shirt to prove it).

In February, I came across a post on our English Society Facebook page that was advertising an unusual work experience for second year undergraduates. I'm a second year undergraduate, I thought, clicking the link. I read the profile: the company were mad on writing and wanted to teach applicants about how they could earn a living through writing. I'm mad on writing, too!

To apply, I had to write 300 words on why I should be chosen. What it boiled down to was "I'm a super geek who writes every day and has been doing so for years". Yesterday I received an email congratulating me on earning a place.

The lesson? If you want to write a successful application, write whatever truthful nonsense you want. It's working for me so far.