Jobs & Careers - Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I apply without registering?
A. No. In order to complete and submit an on-line application
you will need to register your details.
Q. How do I apply?
A. You will need to be registered on the site and signed into
your account to apply for a position. Once you click on the apply
button you will be asked some screening questions. If you
satisfactorily answer the screening questions you will be required
to complete an on line application form, if your answers are not
satisfactory you will not be able to progress your application any
further. All mandatory fields must be completed. In completing the
application it is important you follow our guidance notes on how to
apply. Simply click on the submit button to send your application
to us once completed.
Q. Will you send me an application form?
A. No. Applications must be completed on line.
Q. I dont have a pc at home, how can I apply?
A. You could always try applying via a public computer, perhaps
at your local library or internet café. If you are really
struggling, then please contact the Recruitment Team on 01234
228082.
Q. Do you accept CVs?
A. No.
Q. How will I know that you have received my application?
A. You will receive an acknowledgment e-mail from the
recruitment team. In the Your Applications area of the site you
will also be able to see that the status of your application has
changed to Submitted Application. This means we have received your
application.
Q. How long will it take for my application to be looked
at?
A. Your application will be considered by the Selection Panel
within 5 working days of the closing date.
Q. How do you select people for interview?
A. The Selection Panel go through a shortlisting process. This
means they look at applications and allocate a score between 0-4
for each criterion under the selection criteria. At the end of the
process scores allocated to each criterion are added together to
give a total score. The short list for interview will be the top
scoring applicants. If you score a 0 under any criterion you will
not be interviewed. It is usual for us to invite around 6 people to
interview for a position.
Q. Will you let me know if I am not selected for
interview?
A. Yes. You will receive an email notifying you that you have
not been shortlisted. The status of your application in the Your
Applications area of the site will also change to Application Not
Short Listed.
Q. Can I request feedback on my application?
A. Of course you can. All you need to do is call the Recruitment
Team to request feedback. We will then arrange for the Recruiting
Manager to get in touch with you. Feedback is limited to how you
meet or do not meet the selection criteria for the post.
Please note that we do not provide written feedback.
Q. How much notice will I get of a forthcoming interview?
A. Where possible we like to set the interview date at the
beginning of the recruitment process, so applicants can plan their
diaries in anticipation of being invited for interview. Interview
dates will be published under the vacancy details. We do, however,
give candidates 5 working days notice of a forthcoming
interview.
Q. Will my interview include a test/presentation?
A. Formal interviews are our primary method for making selection
decisions. If we require you to undertake a test or deliver a
presentation, we will notify you of the fact in our invite to
interview letter. On some occasions we have a 2 stage interview
process, where 1 or 2 candidates from the fist stage interviews are
invited to a second interview.
Q. Do I need to bring anything to the interview with me?
A. You will be required to bring evidence of your eligibility to
work in the UK along with educational/professional qualification
certificates relevant to the post. You will be sent a medical
questionnaire and a declaration of criminal offences form, which
you will need to complete and bring to the interview. If the post
you are applying for is subject to a CRB disclosure you will be
required to bring with you a completed CRB form with appropriate
forms of identification.
Q. Can I claim interview expenses?
A. The Council does not pay interview expenses, however, if this
causes you a problem please contact a member of the recruitment
team on 01234 228082.
Q. How long does it take to make a decision after
interviews?
A. Once all candidates have been seen we like to make a decision
within one working day.
Q. How do you decide on who gets the job?
A. The same scoring system for short listing is used for
interviews. The highest scoring candidate interviewed will be
successful, subject to all of the criteria being met.
Q. If I am successful at interview will you ring me?
A. Yes. You will be called by the Chair of the Selection Panel
if you are successful and offered the post.
Q. Will you let me know if I am unsuccessful after
interview?
A. Yes. You will receive an email notifying you that you have
not been successful. The status of your application in the Your
Applications area of the site will also change to Unsuccessful at
Interview. You can request feedback at this stage, and we
will arrange for a member of the interview panel to contact
you. Please note, we do not provide written feedback.
Q. What happens after I have been offered a job?
A. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the receipt
of satisfactory references and medical (CRB if applicable). Once a
verbal offer has been made we will confirm this in writing with a
conditional offer letter. We will then take up our pre-employment
checks.
Q. How long do the pre-employment checks take?
A. It really depends on how quickly your referees turn around
references. Medical clearance normally takes around 2 working days
if everything is clear. DBS (Disclosure & Barring
Service) checks can take a minimum of 1 week to a maximum of
8.
Q. Can I resign from my current job before your checks are
complete?
A. Its really up to you, however, we would only advise you to
tender your resignation once our checks have proved
satisfactory.
Q. When does a start date get set?
A. Once all our checks are complete we notify the Recruiting
Manager. The Recruiting Manager will then call you to agree a
convenient start date.
Q. When will I receive a Contract of Employment?
A. Once a start date had been arranged we will issue you a
Contract of Employment.