Advice on your job application

Every post we advertise will include a job description, outlining the key duties and responsibilities required of the role, and a person specification, describing the experience, skills, abilities, and knowledge to do the job.

Please read all the documentation before you apply so that you can reference and evidence how you are suitable for the job.

Here are some tips to enhance your application:

• Focus on the ‘relevant experience’ section of your application. This is the place to showcase how you are the ideal candidate for the job.
• Refer to the Job Description in the ‘relevant experience’ section so the recruiting manager can see relevant examples of the qualities they are looking for.
• If the advert refers you to any other websites or attachments with further information about the role it is important to read this before applying.
• Remember to download the job description, person specification and any additional documents on the job advert as you may be unable to access this once the vacancy has closed.
• The recruiting manager will receive your application in an anonymised format during the shortlisting stage so remember to use this opportunity to make yourself stand out amongst the rest.

You must submit your application before the closing date, all our vacancies close at midday on the date specified within the advert.

Anonymous application forms will be sent to the recruiting manager for shortlisting.

A recruiting panel will complete the shortlisting process in line with the essential and desirable requirements within the  person specification. 

They will assess your entire application, with most attention focused on the ‘relevant experience’ section, so you need to ensure you have provided sufficient information.

If you are shortlisted, you will receive an invite to interview. This will be sent via email, and it will direct you to your message board within your North East jobs Profile to view the details. 

If you are not shortlisted, you will receive a notification via email. You will also have the opportunity to receive feedback on your application from the recruiting manager if you wish.

Interviews can be a daunting task, so here is some advice to make the process run as smoothly as possible for you.

Your invite to interview will be sent to the email address listed on your application. This will contain details such as the date, time and location of the interview.

Preparing for an interview

• Revisit your application, look at the job description to re-cap the main duties and responsibilities of the role.
• Research about us as an organisation, as well as the particular service area you are being interviewed for. This could give key information on current agendas, hot topics and priorities which could be relevant to the job you are interested in.
• Prepare plenty of examples to showcase how you meet the job criteria.
• Think about the questions you would ask if you were interviewing someone for that role.
• The interview is also your chance to ask questions and the panel will be happy to answer these. You may want to ask about the job, service or perhaps terms of employment.

You will be informed prior to your interview if you are required to deliver a presentation or undertake any assessments as part of the recruitment and selection process. 

If you have concerns about the interview or assessment process or if there are adjustments we can make to enable you to do your best on the day, please contact the Recruitment Team 

If you cannot attend the interview, please contact the person detailed in your interview letter or the Recruitment Team so the recruiting manager can be notified.

You will be contacted by the recruiting manager about the outcome of your interview after the recruitment process has concluded. Feedback can be provided on your request.

If you are successful at interview and offered the job, there are a number of new starter checks which need to be completed before you can join us in post.

The new starter checks include:

• Right to Work 
• Health Declaration 
• DBS checks (if applicable to the position)
• References

The hiring manager responsible for the interview process will verbally offer you the job on a conditional basis which includes satisfactory clearance of our new starter checks. 

Following this, you will be made a conditional offer of employment in writing to the email address stated on your application. The offer is conditional on the provision that all the new starter checks prove to be satisfactory.

The recruiting manager and our recruitment team will keep in touch with you throughout this process and it is important for you to take any action to help speed up the recruitment process to ensure that all clearances are secured as quickly as possible. 

For example, please contact your referees in advance to let them know the reference request is coming and return all required forms.

When you are waiting for your clearances to be processed you are encouraged to contact your new manager for updates on how your appointment is progressing or contact us.

Once clearances have been received and approved by your new manager, a start date will be arranged with you and arrangement will be made for your Statement of Terms and Conditions of Employment to be issued. 

Tips to help the new starter clearance process run as smoothly as possible:

• Arrange to meet with the recruiting manager as soon as possible once you have received the new starter pack details.
• Read through the paperwork as it will explain what you will need to take with you when meeting the recruiting manager.
• Ensure you provide your current / most recent employer referee details if applicable.
• When providing referee details email address are usually the quicker method but if one is not available, please ensure you are providing correct and full postal addresses.

Congratulations on being offered your new role with us, we are delighted that you are joining us and look forward to welcoming you. 

You will be part of a team serving residents and communities in Redcar & Cleveland, supporting them to thrive now and into the future, proud to make a difference to our people and place.

Your new line manager will arrange the start date with you directly and they will ensure that you have everything you need before you start, such as where you will need to report to, what time and where to park.

Your manager will take you through the information you need for induction into your job.

You can find more information about how we manage the personal information of those who apply to work with us can be found below:

• https://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/about-the-council/privacy-notices/employment-candidate-privacy-notice