Selection Process

Shortlisting

• In most cases, once a job vacancy has been advertised and reached the close date, we will shortlist candidates using the job description and person specification.
• As soon as a decision has been reached, we will contact shortlisted applicants to arrange interviews. Normally, you would expect to hear from us within two weeks of the close date if you are to be interviewed.
• In some cases, we will need to seek references prior to interview, in others we will only seek these following an interview (see Job Offers below) but we require at least two references from previous employers prior to appointing.

Interviews

• Interviews are normally conducted by a panel which will include the line manager, and perhaps more senior members of a Department or School.
• Candidates will often be asked to give a presentation on a relevant topic as part of the interview, which will be explained in the invitation to interview letter.
• In some cases, there may be second or even third interviews. Some interviews may need to be conducted by telephone.
• In all cases, we do our best to ensure that all candidates are given fair and appropriate opportunities to demonstrate their abilities to do the job.
• You will be required at interview to provide original documentation of proof of your right to work in the UK.
• You will also be required to bring along to the interview original qualification certificates and proof of professional registration.

Job Offers

• Once the interviews are complete, we will select a preferred candidate and may issue a conditional offer of employment - conditions may include satisfactory references, medical, etc. When we have completed all the necessary employment checks on a preferred candidate, we will issue a formal unconditional offer of employment and contract.
• We will also ask you to take part in a pre-employment health screen process which may be simply completing a form or may need further information to make sure you are fit to undertake the duties of the job
• We will ask you to accept the offer by signing and returning the Statement of Particulars. If you are relocating from another country, we will start the process of requesting a work permit on your behalf, although you may still need to obtain a Visa or other permit to remain in the UK.
• UK citizens and members of the European Union will need to have provided evidence, e.g. a passport, of their right to work in the UK.
• Nationals from Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic must register with the Worker Registration Scheme. Applications for registration are the responsibility of the individual but we must ensure that the worker applies for registration within one month of starting work.
• Bulgarian and Romanian nationals wanting to work in the UK will need to obtain authorisation to work before taking up employment. This will usually take the form of an Accession Worker card. For certain categories of employment the Bulgarian or Romanian national will be able to apply to the home office for this card without the need for an employer to apply for a work permit. The list of categories include: postgraduate doctors, dentists, trainee general practitioners, teachers, language assistants and qualified nurses coming for a period of supervised practice; for a full list please go to www.workingintheuk.gov.uk. If the employment does not fall into one of these categories the employer must apply for a work permit and the worker must then apply for an Accession Worker card.