Completing your application

Your application can be completed in one sitting or you can choose to complete it section by section, logging out as needed. On your return please log in and select your application from the left hand menu.

You can use the ‘Save a Copy’ link at the top of the application form to save an electronic version of your application to your computer.

When we shortlist applications, we consider how well you demonstrate that you meet the knowledge, skills and experience requirements detailed in the role profile for the role applied for.

To give your application the best chance of success, state clearly how you meet each of the requirements listed in the knowledge, skills and experience section of the role profile. You may have gained your experience in unpaid work, in education or in employment; whatever the case, please ensure that you make clear what you have achieved where it is relevant to the role applied for, as your application will be assessed on what you state rather than what might be assumed.

For some criteria, just a few words will be enough, and for others, more explanation may be appropriate; see the following examples:

Example 1: Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Example 2: Ability to work under pressure and deliver within strict timescales.

Example 1 can be adequately demonstrated by stating the degree or equivalent qualification that you have gained, the subject that you graduated in and you could also add where and when you gained it.

In Example 2, to give the hiring manager enough information to demonstrate that you have strong ability in this area, you'll need to provide more detail, balancing this against the need to provide clear and succinct information. To do this, give the context in which you have demonstrated this ability or gained this experience – which may be across a number of different previous roles – as well as a specific example of when you've done this. When providing an example:

Give a brief outline of the situation.
Explain what you did in terms of the skills and processes that YOU used in some detail.
Describe a positive outcome or personal learning point that you gained from this.

When providing examples to demonstrate how well you match the requirements of the role, aim to draw on the breadth of your experience, and to avoid using the same scenario twice.

Use language that is positive and affirmative. Avoid saying, “I feel that I am a good communicator”, say rather, “I am a good communicator”, providing evidence for this as outlined above.

Before you submit your application, review what you've written – your text should be clear, concise and convincing so that the hiring manager can easily understand what you're trying to get across.

Proof read your application to ensure that the grammar and spelling are correct.

When you're happy with your application click the ‘Submit application’ button to send us your form. Please note that once you have done this, you won't be able to modify your application other than to update your Contact Details; these can be amended by clicking on ‘Edit Contact Details’ on the left hand menu in the Communication Centre.