Advice on your job application

Every post we advertise will include a job profile, outlining the duties required of the role, and a person specification, describing the skills, knowledge and abilities 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 'supporting evidence' section of your application. This is the place to showcase how you are the ideal candidate for the job
• refer to the job profile in the 'supporting evidence' section so the hiring manager can see relevant examples of the qualities they are looking for
• if the advert refers you to any other websites with further information about the role it is important to read this before submitting an application
• remember to download the job profile and any additional documents on the job advert as you will be unable to access this once the vacancy has closed
• the hiring 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
• applicants are also able to submit a CV as part of their application for convenience. To support our inclusive employer approach, we remove personal details from an application prior to shortlisting. Therefore, if you choose to upload your CV you must ensure that personal details are removed

You must submit your application before midnight on the closing date.

Anonymous application forms will be sent to the recruiting manager for shortlisting on the next working day after the vacancy closes.

A recruiting panel will complete the shortlisting process in line with the criteria of the job profile. They will assess your entire application, with most attention focused on the 'supporting evidence' section, so you need to ensure you have provided sufficient information.

If you are shortlisted, you will receive an invite to interview which is usually sent electronically to the email address listed on your application form. This email will contain information about how to electronically book an interview slot. Please be aware that this is done on a first come, first serve basis.

If you are not shortlisted, you will receive a notification via email and also status updates against the vacancy in your online account. Please note that due to the high volume of applications we are unable to provide feedback to those who have not been shortlisted.

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 post, hours and location of the interview in addition to information about what original documentation to bring. You will need to book a time for your interview by clicking on the link in the email. Please note that the link expires 48 hours before the interview. 

Preparing for an interview

• revisit your application, look at the job profile 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 there are any tests for you to complete 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 us.

You are required to present certain documents as part of the employment checks, namely:

• evidence of your right to work in the UK (you will receive guidance documents with further details about what satisfies this check)
• evidence of your qualifications
• evidence to support your Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application (if applicable to the job). Please note that if you are required to complete an online DBS application you will receive a separate email with instructions on how to complete this as well as guidance on acceptable evidence

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

You will be contacted by the hiring 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 pre-employment checks which need to be completed before you can join us in post.

You will need to provide original documents as evidence of the following: 

• right to work in the UK
• proof of qualifications and registrations (if legally required for the post)
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (if applicable to the post)
• pre-employment health check
• references

You can find out more on our employment checks page.

You will be verbally offered the job on a conditional basis by the hiring manager responsible for the interview process.

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 pre-employment checks prove to be satisfactory.

The hiring 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 we can look forward to you commencing employment with us. You will be sent an on-boarding document before your start date which provides information such as what to expect on your first day and week, as well as information about each service area.

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 North Yorkshire, 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.

Any arrangements regarding your pay and contract will be completed in advance of you starting  so please ensure you have provided all the information requested from you prior to starting such as bank details.

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

Expectations

Before you begin your journey with us as an employee, the on-boarding document will give you an insight into the council so you can begin to develop a greater understanding of our service areas as well as introducing you to the successes and challenges we face as an organising operating across a diverse geographical area.

Prior to your first day, your new manager will be able to answer any questions you have and they will provide you with information such as start time and parking. On your first day, you will be given the official corporate welcome to the council including a thorough induction into your job.

In addition, employees must be aware of the following:

• managers will ensure services are developed and delivered in accordance with the aims of the equality policy statement in response to the needs and aspirations of service users
• employees will work in accordance with the aims of the equality policy statement within their own area of responsibility
• we provide front line services, which recognise the need to respond flexibly to changing demands and circumstances. Whilst a job description provides a summary of the post, this may need to be adapted or adjusted to meet changing circumstances. Such changes would be commensurate with the grading of the post and would be subject to discussion with the postholder. All staff are required to comply with our policies and procedures
• we require a commitment to equity of access and outcomes, this will include due regard to equality, diversity, dignity, respect and human rights and working with others to keep vulnerable people safe from abuse and mistreatment
• we require that staff offer the best level of service to their customers and behave in a way that gives them confidence. Customers will be treated as individuals, with respect for their diversity, culture and values

If you apply for a school vacancy, the school will hold all details of the vacancy and your application. You should contact the school for further information and updates.

We do not hold a register for supply teachers. If you would like to do supply work in a North Yorkshire school, please contact the individual school directly. Schools are responsible for handling the appointment of supply teachers and carrying out all appropriate employment checks.

Details of our schools can be found on our education and learning page.

All our temporary agency services are commissioned via Matrix. We never utilise temporary agency services directly.

If you would like to supply temporary workers or would like further information on Matrix terms please email supplier.enrolment@matrix-scm.com.

For permanent vacancies, we are committed to employing staff directly and rarely use agent services.

Our resourcing solutions team are responsible for all agency services. If you need to speak to us about an agency service, please contact us.

Our resourcing team would be delighted to help you with any support you might need in applying for a job on our site or with your application.

In the first instance, the guidance notes at the beginning of the application form may help you with your query.

Please contact us and tell us if you have any specific requirements that you need us consider in relation to the application or interview process. We will happily try and accommodate these for you, to ensure you can do your best on the day.

If you have a disability that prevents you from applying online or you need the application form in another format, please contact us so that we can discuss your requirements and provide you with the help and support that you need.

If you are having any difficulties applying online due to internet access, please seek support from family or friends or by visiting your local job centre or library.

Once you have submitted your application you are unable to make any changes. In order to make any changes, please email our resourcing team, outlining which amendments you would like to make. Our team will then happily make any changes on your behalf.

For any of the above, please contact us.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. We want to support you in your recruitment journey and we understand there is a need to recognise individual needs rather than adopting a ‘one size fits all’ approach. To ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities, we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

What is a reasonable adjustment?

A reasonable adjustment is any change or modification made to the standard recruitment process to enable candidates with a disability or other mitigating factors, to participate on an equal basis with other applicants.

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers are required to make reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities to avoid discrimination and ensure fairness in the hiring process.

Requesting a reasonable adjustment 

Prior to application – If you require any modifications to the application format, please refer to the accessibility guidelines for using the recruitment application system. Alternatively, if you need a paper copy of the application, kindly contact ResourcingSolutions@northyorks.gov.uk.

Application stage – When submitting your application, you will find a section within the Declarations and Consent section of the form where you can indicate if you require any reasonable adjustments, should you be successful in being shortlisted for an interview. This allows us to make the necessary preparations ahead of time and ensures your needs are considered in the recruitment process.

Invite to interview – If you are invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to inform us of any reasonable adjustments you may need in order to attend and participate comfortably. This could include changes to the interview format, timing, or location.

What happens after I make a request?

Once you have made a request for a reasonable adjustment, we might need to contact you to further clarify your requirements. If for any reason the requested adjustment is not possible or we believe another adjustment may be more suitable, we will discuss alternatives with you. Once we’ve agreed on an appropriate adjustment, we will confirm the details with you, ensuring that everything is in place ahead of your interview or assessment. We aim to ensure that every candidate has the best chance to succeed.

Examples of reasonable adjustments we could provide

We will endeavour to meet your needs, some examples of reasonable adjustments might include:

Interview adjustments:

• providing extra time to answer questions, complete tasks or assessments
• adjusting the format of the interview (e.g. offering interviews virtually)
• allowing a support person to attend with you (they would not be able to answer on your behalf) or interpreter (e.g. sign language interpreter)
• providing a quiet room or reducing distractions
• ensuring the lighting is adjusted to suit your preferences (well-lit or dimmed lighting)
• providing questions ahead of the interview or in a different format. Ensuring long questions or multi-part questions are presented in a different way to provide full context
• providing hardware (such as amplified hearing aids) or software (such as text to speech) is available were possible

Assessment adjustments:

• changing the format of written tests (e.g., offering larger print, braille, or digital formats)
• providing oral assessments or alternative methods for completing tasks

Location adjustments:

• adjusting the interview venue to ensure accessibility (such as wheelchair access, accessible parking, ground floor rooms, or adjusting the layout of the room)
• offering flexible interview locations (such as remotely Microsoft Teams or phone call)
• time-based adjustments (for example, allowing breaks between panels)

Examples of where reasonable adjustments have been applied

Deaf candidate – A candidate was apprehensive about their interview. A discussion was had with the candidate, and it was arranged that they would have their interview online with subtitles added.

Neuro-divergent candidate – A candidate requested and was provided interview questions in advance. Candidate requested a well-lit room and to be able to take a note pad and pen into the interview. 

Learning Disability - A candidate with a learning disability would usually attend interviews with their Supported Employment Worker. However, their worker was on holiday so their father attended instead, purely in a moral support capacity.

Further support

If you have any questions or need additional support regarding reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us. We are here to help and will do our best to ensure you can participate fully.