Frequently asked questions - working for the council
- How can I tell if the job is right for me?
- What will my salary be?
- How long will I have to fill in the application form?
- Can I send my CV?
- What should I do if I have a problem with the application form?
- Why do you collect ‘monitoring information’ with the application form?
- How do you decide which candidates to interview?
- Will you tell me if my application was unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage?
- Can you explain why my application was not shortlisted for interview?
- Will I need to bring anything with me to the interview?
- What will happen after I attend interview?
How can I tell if the job is right for me?
Look carefully at the advert, job description and person specification.
Ask yourself why you are interested in the job and whether you meet all of the job requirements – if you don’t you may not be suitable for the position.
If you would like more information about the job please contact the recruiting manager on the telephone number or email address listed on the job advert.
The appropriate salary scales/pay bands are shown on all our adverts, you will normally start on the lowest point of the salary scale for the position.
Exceptions to this position are limited and would need to be agreed with the recruiting manager on the basis of your transferable knowledge, skills and experience.
How long will I have to apply?
We must receive your completed application by us by the closing date and time specified on the job advert. Applications received after the deadline will not normally be accepted. The advert will state whether you can apply by sending us your CV and a cover letter, or whether you need to complete an application form.
The advert for each vacancy will state whether an application form is required, or if you can apply by sending us your CV. Please follow the instructions for the post you are applying for.
If you don't already have a CV you can use our template to make one.
What should I do if I have a problem with the application form?
Contact our human resources team as soon as you can to let us know what the problem is, we will do our best to help.
Do I need to send a cover letter with the application form or CV?
The advert for each vacancy will state whether an application form is required, or if you can apply by sending us your CV with a cover letter.
Usually, an application form provides enough detail that you won't also need a cover letter, but you can provide one if you wish.
A CV is much shorter, so the advert may also ask for the cover letter to gather enough information to process your application.
See our guidance on how to write your cover letter.
Why do you collect ‘monitoring information’ with the application form?
Our Human Resources team collect monitoring information and use the data to identify trends in applications for jobs with us.
This helps us to ensure the effectiveness of our recruitment and selection process. It also helps us to identify any issues that could prevent us from building a workforce that is representative of our local community. This is in line with legal requirements and government recommendations.
Any monitoring information that you provide is completely anonymous and will not be linked back to you, and is not seen at any stage by the recruiting manager, shortlisting team or interview panel.
How do you decide which candidates to interview?
We select people based on values, skills, knowledge, and experience.
The person specification included with the job advert will tell you the essential and desirable criteria for the job you are applying for; we compare your application to this specification to see whether you might be able to do the job.
In choosing which candidates to interview we select the ones that most closely match the criteria in the person specification.
Our decision is not influenced by any protected characteristic - age, disability (including long-term conditions), race, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity.
The personal information you provide is not shared with the recruiting manager until they have completed their shortlist, and your monitoring information will not be seen by them at any stage of the process.
Will you tell me if my application was unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage?
If we don't invite you for an interview we won't normally contact you to let you know that you have been unsuccessful - we receive so many applications that we aren't able to contact everyone that isn't shortlisted. If you have not heard anything by the interview date shown on the job advert you can assume that your application hasn't passed the shortlisting stage.
Can you explain why my application was not shortlisted for interview?
Due to the high number of application forms that we receive, we don't normally offer feedback to those that haven’t been shortlisted for interview.
Will I need to bring anything with me to the interview?
We will tell you what to bring with you when we invite you to your interview.
Please make sure you bring everything that we ask for, if you don't we might not be able to progress your application.
What will happen after I attend interview?
After all the interviews have been completed, the panel will choose the most suitable person.
If you are successful they will contact you to informally offer you the job.
All offers of employment are conditional on the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. These are:
- identity checks
- right to work in the UK
- qualifications
- references and/or employment history
- medical checks
- where applicable criminal record checks are also carried out
Once the employment checks have been completed, you will be provided with a start date and issued with a formal contract of employment. See full details of our selection process.
Unsuccessful candidates
If you have not been successful, a member of the panel will contact you as soon as possible to let you know that you haven't been selected, they will also offer to give you feedback on your interview.