Filling in your application

Filling in your application form

We use application forms to enable us to make a fair comparison between candidates on an equal basis and the information you provide will be the foundation for our decisions about which applicants should be invited to interview. Please take time to consider carefully the information which you think might be most useful to us in assessing your application.

Please note that a Curriculum Vitae (CV) is not acceptable as an alternative to the council's standard application form. You may supply your CV as a supplement but we cannot consider your application unless all sections of the council's form have been properly completed.

When completing an application form please take time to consider carefully the information which you think might be most useful to us in assessing your application and fill in every section of the job application form. If you wish to apply for a vacancy, please:

• check that it fully reflects your skills and qualities
• make sure that you have taken into account the requirements of the job

Managers use applications forms to determine which candidates have the right qualifications and experience to fit the requirements of the job criteria (job description and employee specification). The candidates then are shortlisted against these criteria in a systematic way.

If you have a disability which makes it difficult to complete the application form, please contact us. We will be happy to assist.

References

We ask you to provide details of two referees and we expect one of these to be your current or most recent employer if applicable to you. We normally make conditional offers of employment that are subject to us receiving two satisfactory references for you.

Recruitment Monitoring

At the end of the application form, you will find a Recruitment Monitoring form which we would also ask you to complete. The form is confidential for monitoring purposes only and kept separately from your application form. The Personnel staff will detach the monitoring form before your application is passed to the manager responsible for selecting the short-list.

It helps us to make sure our policies are applied effectively. The information you have provided will be handled and processed in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. If you are appointed, the information will form part of your personnel record. It may be used by the council for business purposes, including the prevention and detection of fraud.

Return of Application Form

Please check to ensure that you have completed all sections of the application form and the monitoring form and return it to arrive no later than 5.00 p.m. on the closing date.

Please return your completed application form electronically to us wherever possible. If you are unable to do this, then return it to the Personnel department.