Application Advice
Important Note: (RE: PDF
Application Form)
- Users who have access to Adobe Reader can complete the form, print it out, but will be unable to save
any changes. Users who have access to Adobe Acrobat (full version) can complete the form, print it out
and save any changes. Please see our
file formats help page for more information
about the PDF format.
It
is on the basis of completed application forms that the shortlisting panel will decide how each applicant’s
skills, abilities, experience, knowledge, competencies and qualifications match the requirements set
out in the Person Specification for the job and whether they should be offered an interview.
Top
Tips
- When completing your application, please ensure that you are showing us
that you meet at least all of the essential criteria for the job always referring to the Person Specification.
Different jobs require different skills, knowledge, competencies and qualifications so please ensure
you submit a fresh application for each job you apply for.
- Please don’t send us CVs. They will not be accepted as a substitute for a completed application
form.
- You may want to do a rough draft of your application first, especially if you are handwriting
it.
- If you get chance, it’s always a good idea to keep a copy of your form so that you can
see what you have written. This is especially useful when you ask for feedback about your application/interview.
- Your application will not be excluded from the process if your handwriting (or spelling
and punctuation) is poor unless, of course, these are essential criteria on the Person Specification.
The panel should be able to read your application though.
- If you get the opportunity, ask someone to check your form before you send it to us.
- Your form should arrive by no later than 5.00pm on the closing date unless otherwise stated.
- When completing the Summary of Experience, Skills, Knowledge and Competencies section
you may use additional paper if necessary.
- It is not possible to notify all applicants of the outcome of their applications. If you
have not been notified that you have been selected for interview within four weeks of the closing date,
please assume that your application has not been progressed to the next stage of the process. If you
are selected for interview, the interview panel will advise you how you will be notified of the outcome.
References
- If you are shortlisted, references will be taken up before your interview,
unless you have indicated an objection to this on your application form. However, references must
be obtained prior to any offer of appointment being made.
- When providing names and details of referees, please ensure that at least one of them
is a present or most recent employer. If you are not currently in employment and /or your last employer
cannot give you a reference because the organisation no longer exists, you should attempt to get a reference
from a professional person. If you have just left school, college, university or some kind of recruitment/skills
agency, you should use your contact there as a referee.
- References should not be provided by relatives, partners or close friends. If you have
any problems with providing names of referees, please discuss this with the HR department.
- Applicants should note that where the post involves access to children and other client
groups, references relevant to the area of work are required and previous employers not quoted as referees
may be contacted.
E-mail Applications
If the Job Details does not include an email address for completed application forms
to be returned to, you must return your form by post or fax to the contact address detailed in the job
pack by the deadline stated. DO NOT email your application form to a different email address as you
could miss the deadline or your application may go astray.
If you are emailing your application you should be aware that Internet e-mail is
not a secure medium as there is a small risk that messages can be intercepted and read by someone else.
Please bear this in mind when deciding whether to send your application by this method. Alternatively,
you can apply online now using our new secure e-application form.
e-mail page to a friend