Pre-application (Stage 1)
Some questions to ask yourself
Before you apply for the job advertised, here are some things for you to think about:
- What is the job you are applying for?
- Every job is supported by a Job Profile which explains the duties and responsibilities required for the role. Make sure you read this document carefully and understand what it is asking, then start to think about:
- What the job actually involves and do I have the relevant experience and skills required?
- What interests you about this job?
- Is it a good job opportunity in terms of your career?
What you need to think about
Before you start your application form, it is best to pre-prepare and here are some things you can do beforehand:
- Think about your career history, start to list the jobs you have had
- Make a list of all your skills and experiences that are relevant for this job
- What evidence do you have to demonstrate you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience?
- List your strengths and any areas where you may have a gap in your experience and skills and think how these can be addressed.
Job Profile
The job advert you wish to apply for will contain a Job Profile.
It is important that you read this document carefully, as it describes the requirements needed for the job.
Including:
- values and behaviours
- experience, qualification, training or other requirements,
It will also state whether these criteria are essential or desirable and whether you need to demonstrate these on the application form and/or at interview and whether there will be a test involved. These criteria vary according to the job you are applying for.
Please check that you have carefully read and understood the Job Profile and that you are able to demonstrate the requirements listed in the Job Profile.
Remember when short listing the selection panel can only take into account what you have put on your application form. The selection criteria in the Job Profile help the panel assess your information against these criteria and to decide whether to invite you to interview.
Examples of your experience/skills
It is important for you to be able to give examples of how you meet the requirements for the job, so before you start your application you need to spend time thinking about your skills and experience and how they are relevant for the job you are applying for and if they meet the specific criteria. You can include the skills and experience you have gained outside paid work and through training if they are relevant to the job you are applying for.
Your examples should be your best, and describe something you have done which tells us about the skills that you used and the steps that you took, not your team or group. It is not sufficient to say “I am a highly organised person” or “I work well in a team”. A useful approach is to use the STAR model, which will help structure your thinking.
Situation – set the scene describe the situation or problem
Task – Outline the task required to solve the issue or problem
Action – Describe what you actually did. How and when you did it, the rationale for the choices you took and the key things that you did to overcome the issue or problem.
Result – What the outcome was and the difference it made
Complete a rough draft
Applicants are required to complete an online application form. Consider completing a rough draft in word processor before you submit your online application form. This will help you to organise and plan your application and avoid mistakes and duplication. It also means that you can spell check your work and then cut and paste it into the online form. It also means that you will have a copy of your submitted information for future reference.
Two Ticks disability award scheme
We are committed to employing disabled people and the Council has been awarded the Two Ticks Disability Symbol. One of our commitments is to guarantee to interview anyone with a disability, provided their application meets the minimum (essential) requirements of the job vacancy, and to consider them on their abilities.
To apply under this scheme please make sure you complete the question in the equal opportunities monitoring section of the application form which asks whether you have a disability. Any additional information about the nature of your disability which you choose to provide at this stage will be held in confidence, and not shared with the selection panel.
How we apply the Two Ticks in recruitment
Further guidance
If you need help with your English language skills then check with your local college for courses in your area.
Check that dates are in the right order and that there are no gaps in your career history.
Ask another person to check over your rough draft once you have completed it for an objective view.
Do not submit the same application for all jobs. You need to look at the requirements listed as they will be different for each job.