Whether you are already in employment, unemployed, returning to work after a break or looking for your first job after leaving full-time education, these notes are to help you complete your application as effectively as possible. Please read them before completing your application.
It is not possible to interview everyone who applies for a job. Your application form is the only means we have to judge your capability and potential. The information in it will be used to draw up a shortlist for the next stage of selection.
Before your start, read through the Job Description and Person Specification (attached to the advertisement) so that you are familiar with what the job involves. Have you got all the relevant skills and experience for the job?
The job description lists the main duties and responsibilities for the post.
The person specification sets out the experience, skills, abilities and qualifications required to do the job. These requirements are split into two categories
- essential criteria - these are the characteristics that are seen as essential to the job. A candidate that does not have these will not be able to carry out the job and will not be shortlisted for interview.
- desirable criteria - these may be used to choose between two or more good candidates.
Your application will be assessed against the criteria listed on the person specification.
General Points
- Write in a concise, well organised and positive way. Make sure all sections are completed clearly and as fully as possible. Keep to the facts - you may have to justify any information you have given.
- Make sure your application relates to the person specification for the specific job that you are applying for.
- When you have finished your application re-read it and check for any errors or omissions.
- Make sure your application form is completed by the closing date.
- Keep a copy of your application, it will be useful to refer to for preparation if you are called for interview. You will need to register to be able to keep a copy.
- If you have a disability you are welcome to apply on computer computer CD, if you wish.
Personal Details
Please complete this section fully and clearly. This is the information we need to contact you.
Current or Most Recent Employment
Please state your employer's name, address and telephone number in full. Do not go into too much detail but list the main activities of the job.
Previous Employment
Please account for all time since you left school, college or university. List your jobs, with the most recent first, stating month and year and mentioning any gaps in employment. Check that dates are correct and in the right order. Include voluntary work particularly if you have not been in paid work. If you have recently left school or college and have not had a full time job, please include details of any employment such as weekend, holiday or voluntary work.
Training and Memberships
List the qualifications you possess indicating grades. There is no need to list failed exams. The person specification will say if the job requires any particular qualifications. If you are appointed we will need to see evidence of essential qualifications.
There is no need to give the name of the school, college or university you have attended.
Additional Information
Disabilities:
This information will not be used as part of the shortlisting process.
If you have declared a disability on your application and you meet the essential criteria for the job, as listed in the person specification, you will be guaranteed an interview. This does not guarantee you the job. At interview you will be assessed along with all the other candidates. You do not have to declare a disability, but we can only guarantee an interview (subject to you meeting the essential criteria for the job) if you tell us.
Please say if you need any special assistance at interview, for example if you have difficulty in moving up or down stairs or have hearing or speech difficulties.
Job Share:
The County Council encourages job share as an alternative to full-time employment. Job sharing is a formal arrangement whereby two or more employees share all the duties and responsibilities for the effective performance of a full-time post. The pay and conditions of service that apply to the posts are divided between the sharers in proportion to the amount of time each works.
Job Sharing allows greater flexibility for you to match your work to other needs/commitments. The advertisement will state if a post is available for job sharing.
Supporting Statement
This is your opportunity to tell us why you are suitable for the job. Read the job description and person specification carefully to see what skills and experience you have that relate to those required by the job. Think about examples you can give to provide evidence of this.
Consider what you have done in the past: at home; at school; at college; in paid work; unpaid work; or in a hobby. These may be useful to show how you meet the items on the person specification. For example running a home can show skills such as organising or budgeting, being active in a club or other groups can show teamwork, communication or organising skills.
Ensure that this section is written in a well-organised manner and is relevant to the job for which you are applying. Write in a positive manner such as 'I was responsible for....' or 'I organised.....'. It is useful to deal with each point of the person specification in turn. This will help you to structure your statement clearly.
Other Details
Some posts require the post holder to be able to travel between locations This does not necessarily mean use of a car; the actual mode of transport can vary depending on the distance to be travelled. Other posts may specify that driving is essential. For this reason you are asked to state whether or not you hold a current driving licence. Please complete this section fully.
Work Permit/National Insurance Number/DFES Number
Before you are appointed, the County Council must ensure that you are legally entitled to work in the UK. You must state on the form whether or not you require a work permit to take up employment. If you are a qualified teacher, please state your DFES number. If you are a qualified Social Worker, please state your GSCC registration number and expiry date.
Relationship
We need to know if you are related to a Councillor or an employee of the County Council. This is to ensure that you are neither disadvantaged nor favoured in your application. You must not canvass either a Councillor or Council employee to gain employment. This will disqualify your application.
At the same time it is to your advantage to find out as much relevant information as you can about the County Council, the Directorate or the job applied for. If the advertisement invites you to contact a named person for an informal chat, please feel free to do so. This will not form part of the selection process.
Declaration of Interest
Please give details of any other current employment you have. Also, please give details of any interests that you, your partner or a close relative has in a private enterprise. This is to ensure that there is no conflict of interest that could affect your employment with the County Council. Just a few examples which could be considered in conflict are:
- a job that involves referring elderly persons for accommodation when a partner runs a care home.
- a job that involves tendering for work when a close relative runs a business that could benefit.
- if you or a partner has an association with an organisation that receives a grant from the County Council and the job involves monitoring or issuing grants.
Criminal Convictions
You will be asked to sign a paper copy of this section if you are invited to interview. Some jobs are subject to Police clearance. These jobs usually involve working with children, for example, Youth Workers, posts in schools and some social care establishments. If the job you are applying for falls into this category you will receive another form if you are shortlisted.
References
No offer of appointment will be made until references, that are satisfactory to the County Council, are received. Referees must be able to produce information about your suitability for the post.
You will need to provide the names of two referees. One should be your most recent employer and the second a previous employer or someone who can give information relevant to the job. Internal applicants need only one reference, from their current Directorate.
If you are a school or college leaver please give the name of your head teacher or tutor.
References provided by relatives, friends or people with whom you live are not acceptable. Use someone who knows your capabilities and is aware of your potential. Testimonies, affidavits and references addressed "to whom it may concern" are not acceptable.
If you have been self employed or employed by an organisation that has ceased trading give the name of an official such as an Accountant or Bank Manager who can vouch for that period.
References will be only be taken up if you are shortlisted for the post you are applying for. Please state on the form if we should not contact a referee prior to interview.
It is advisable to contact your referees at an early stage to let them know that you wish to give their name and ensure that they are willing to act as a referee.
Declaration
Please read your completed form carefully and check for any errors or omissions. False declaration or omission in support of your application will disqualify you from appointment. If you are appointed, and false declarations or omissions are subsequently discovered, this may lead to disciplinary or legal action against you.
You will be asked to sign a paper copy of this application form if you are invited to interview.
Equal Opportunities
All stages of the recruitment process are monitored. We ask you to assist us in this monitoring by completing the recruitment monitoring form. The people involved in the selection process will not see it.
What Happens Next?
Your completed application form will be used to decide whether or not you progress to the next stage of the selection process. No assumptions will be made about your experience. It is vital that you have told us how you meet the selection criteria.
If you do not receive an invitation for interview within 15 days after the closing date or by the date specified in the advertisement you can assume that your application has not been successful. If you require feedback on the reasons why you have not been shortlisted, please ring the Recruiting Manager on the number given in the advert.
If you have any comments about the recruitment process, please ring our Business Service Support Desk on 01604 237666.
If you are not successful in your application, please do not be discouraged from applying for other jobs with the County Council. Your skills and experience may be more suitable to another vacancy.