We’d like your job-hunting experience with us to be as pleasant and trouble-free as possible. Here is an outline of what you should expect at each stage of your application process:
Application Stage
We prefer you to apply for any vacancies online – this significantly cuts down on the amount of paper we use at the Trust and also enables us to contact you in a much faster and more efficient way through modern methods of communication. It also means that all applications are dealt with in a fair and equitable manner because your application will be reviewed on skills and experience only. You can do this by identifying the vacancy on www.jobs.nhs.uk and completing a straightforward online form. You can also create a candidate profile, which means that you can save your information and use it to apply for more than one vacancy. Setting up a website alert will ensure that you are contacted each time a suitable job is posted which suits your search criteria.
Of course, if there is any reason that you are not able to apply for a vacancy in this way, you are welcome to contact us on 01603 421137.
We commit to providing you with as much information as possible for you to make a judgment about whether a role is suitable for you. The job advertisement will always include a link to a job description and person specification, as well as important information about working hours, location and salary. We always endeavour to include the anticipated date for interview so that you are able to schedule your time accordingly.
For some of our posts, you could be competing against 150 other applications. Have you read the job description and person specification thoroughly, and tailored your application accordingly?
Reviewing Your Application
Once a vacancy closes, the Recruiting Manager is sent a link to review applications and shortlists against the ‘essential’ and ‘desirable’ criteria set out in the person specification. You can usually expect to hear the outcome of your application within 7-14 days of the closing date of the advertisement, usually by telephone or email. We do receive a very high volume of applications to many of our vacancies, and unfortunately it is not possible to contact you with feedback at this stage. However, reasons for non-selection are noted, and the Resourcing Team can usually provide brief feedback if necessary.
Attending an Interview
If you have been selected for interview, you will be contacted by one of the Resourcing Team to confirm a date and time, initially by telephone. You will then be sent a pack of information confirming all the interview details, including the venue, who to ask for, what you need to bring with you and anything you may need to prepare. You will also receive the contact details of the HR Resourcing Officer dealing with the vacancy, so that if you have any additional queries you can contact them directly. Should you require any special arrangements to be made for your interview, please let us know.
Unfortunately, it is not usually possible to provide an alternative date for interview due to the diary commitments of the panel members.
During the Interview
The interview will usually last between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending upon the level of the role and number of candidates attending. A presentation or test could add a further 15-30 minutes. All candidates are interviewed using the same format to ensure fairness and consistency. The Trust uses a ‘competency-based’ technique, which means that you will be asked to provide evidence of the skills and experience you have which are required for the role (outlined in the person specification) through specific examples from your past experience. You will have the opportunity at the end of the session to ask any outstanding questions which may not have already been covered for you.
After the Interview
You can usually expect to hear the outcome of your interview within 2-3 days, either by email or by telephone.
If your interview was successful, you will be advised that you are the ‘preferred candidate’ for the role, usually by the Recruiting Manager. You will also be contacted by the HR Resourcing Officer, who will introduce themselves to you, and advise you of ‘next steps’. Their role is to complete all pre-employment checks as swiftly as possible and to keep you advised of the progress of your application. You will be asked to confirm that we are able to take up references from your current and last employer; and to complete a Pre-Employment Questionnaire.
As an NHS employer, we are not able to issue you with a written offer of employment until pre-employment checks are completed. These comprise of 2 work-related references and clearance from our Occupational Health Team which confirms that you are fit to undertake the role, and that your health will not be put at risk by taking up the position. Depending upon the speed of response from your referees, these pre-employment checks take an average of 2-3 weeks (but can be longer if requests for information are not actioned quickly). Your HR Resourcing Officer will keep in touch with you to update you on progress on a regular basis.
When checks are completed, you will be issued with a formal offer letter and Contract of Employment, which will include details of your starting time and place.
Safeguarding and CRB Checks
The Trust, in common with other NHS organisations, checks the suitability of job applicants with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). The CRB is an executive agency of the Home Office and has access to national police records. Using this mechanism, we are able to verify the background of people applying to work with us in three main categories, namely:
 People working with children |
| Posts “exempt" under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) |
| People working with vulnerable adults |
The majority of positions within the Trust require either a standard or enhanced CRB check.
You will be asked to complete a CRB Declaration form and make an appointment with one of the HR team, who will process your application. It is important that you do this as soon as possible after starting employment with us, since you will need to be supervised by another member of staff at all times until this clearance is received.
Starting Your Employment
On your first day, you will attend the Trust Induction Programme. During the induction you will be welcomed to the Trust, be introduced to the Chief Executive and some of the key departments within the organisation. Within your first week of employment you will also have your local induction in your department and will be allocated a ‘work buddy’ to see you through your first few days.