Filling out graduate application form

Hi all, I'm filling out a form for the Musgraves graduate program and I'm a bit stuck with some of the questions. If anyone has any advise it would be much appreciated.

First of all what do you think is meant by:

"Please state what are you doing now"

presumably this means what am i doing in my current job??

The stickier question is:

"Please outline your non-academic achievements, giving an indication of your level of involvement, including any positions of responsibility. For example: hobbies, interests, sports, clubs etc."

I'm not sure what to put here, most of my achievements would be academic! Basically I finished Uni last year, I haven't been involved in ANY clubs or societies etc since before uni. I was quite active before that, but, I don't really feel under16 medals in hurling etc are really what they are looking for! My college years were basically a lot of part-time work, study, drinking and eating.

Its not like I don't have interests eg. cooking, travelling, films, music - its that they don't entail achievements!

so any ideas?

I think my achievements are being financially independent through college, buying an apartment and snaring a beautiful woman! I think this might be a bit cheeky for this question though.

Make something up - I generally use something that is partly true & elaborate on it........They arent going to check it out.
So your U16 hurling medals - make them more recent.......you play for your local hurling team & you got into quarter finals of xxxxx etc. team captain would be a good one to give as well as it shows leadership.
They don't really care what you are interested in but they just want to show that
1) you are normal & not just academically good - some people can be really brainy academically but really stupid in every other way
2) you can relate to people & be part of a team
3) you are a motivated person
etc etc.

What about 'assisted at tutorials in college x' - every participant is assisting in some way.

Winnie said:

Make something up - I generally use something that is partly true & elaborate on it........They arent going to check it out.

Click to expand...

I used to ask potential employees about their hobbies and interests in the hope of breaking the ice and putting them at their ease - I was always amazed at the number of people who made stuff up simply to fill out their CV. Eg: 'I see you're an avid reader - have you read anything good lately?' '*blush* Actually I .. I mostly just read magazines'.

If i read a cv that said assisted in tutorials ..i would probably ask them what that entailed. what can be said next.....well i answered the questions!!!!
....Next please!

Ceepee, i couldnt agree more...that blush !! the only thing that the interviewer will think you excel at will be lying .... be honest in your cv its not worth it...and if a company really doesnt like you or wants to get rid of you down the line they could return to this to get rid of you....

Winnie said:

Make something up - I generally use something that is partly true & elaborate on it........They arent going to check it out.

Click to expand...

They won't necessarily check it out-but follow-up questions could easily catch you out.

thanks for the input!

I always aim to be as honest as possible on my CV in interviews etc, and normally this isn't a problem. Normally the question is what are your hobbies, interests etc. ? so that's a straightforward answer. However by phrasing the question as what are your achievements? (and saying 'non-academic') the answer requires some more thought!

i'll think about it more over the weekend, the form very kindly allows one to save and return later, but any more suggestions would be most welcome.

CCOVICH said:

They won't necessarily check it out-but follow-up questions could easily catch you out.

Click to expand...

I agree that something completely false could catch you out.
Which is why you shouldnt use an outright lie - If you did something a few years ago just pretend its more recent or make it seem a bit more than it actually was.

Good luck with the form - I hate filling stuff like that out!

“Always tell the truth; then you don’t have to remember anything.”

--- Mark Twain

You're only a year out of college and you've been financially independent through college, and bought an apartment. Take a bow - you can manage your finances and take responsible decisions. YOu don't need to tell any lies just have more confidence in yourself and don't under-estimate your achievements. Oh, and you take an interesting in cooking - hope that means hands on rather than watching someone else cook for you. You sound a well rounded guy to me. Be proud of your u16 medals it shows early formation in character building and team spirit.

Cheers and good luck