Applicant Help

On this page you can find out what to expect from our recruitment and selection process and where to find additional information and support.

Guidance notes for completing our application form

You must attach a CV as part of our application form, this is mandatory and you will not be able to complete the rest of the application form without it.

You must ensure that the following information is included in your CV. If this information is missing you may not be shortlisted.

• Your full job history
• Contact information – address, telephone number
• Qualifications
• Relevant training and development
• Relevant professional memberships

Please read the following sections which will help you when completing the application form.

Qualifications and Experience & Specialist Knowledge and Job Requirements

When completing these sections of the application form you should address each point from the relevant section of the person specification. You should also consider the following:

• Applications will be assessed from the information you provide. Therefore you need to clearly demonstrate your capabilities in relation to each of the criteria listed in the person specification, taking in to account the job you are applying for.
• It is essential that evidence or examples are given of your experience against each appointment criteria. For example it is easy to say you have had to deal with difficult customers; it is more effective to give examples of how you have used your skills and what you have achieved.
• We look for people with potential and transferable skills rather than just people have worked in the same role or level before. If you are coming from a different background, demonstrate how your skills are transferable to the role you are applying for.
• Use clear, concise sentences.
• Don’t make false claims; honesty is always the best policy.
• Explain why you are interested in working for East Herts Council and in this job.

Reasons for leaving for previous two jobs

Please state your ‘reason for leaving’, for your previous two jobs. Please note that this may be checked.

Gaps in your career and employment

Please explain any gaps in employment e.g. travelling, maternity leave etc - we would like you to explain gaps so that unfounded assumptions will not be made.

Support during recruitment

East Herts Council wishes to encourage people with disabilities to join its workforce. If you consider you have a disability, there are a number of ways in which we may be able to help you.

If you need support at the interview (e.g. hearing loop, wheelchair access), please inform either the recruiting manager or Human Resources and we will make any reasonable adjustments.

If you would like to discuss further support please contact the recruiting manager (details will be in the job advert). Alternatively, you can email Human.Resources@eastherts.gov.uk and we will arrange for a member of the team to contact you.

Disability Confident Scheme

If you have a disability, you can choose to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme which means that you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria on the person specification.

Privacy notice & Declaration

By submitting the application you are agreeing to the declarations stated on the form. Canvassing (i.e. contacting anyone involved in the appointment with a view to promoting your application) may disqualify the candidate. All information will be treated as confidential. Please contact a member of the HR team if you have any queries. Any false statements could result in dismissal.

Equalities

To ensure that our Equal Opportunities & Equality Policy is effective we need to monitor the people applying for jobs at East Herts Council, and it would be helpful if you could complete the Equalities Monitoring Form and return it with your application. We need the information to help us find out how far we are succeeding in providing equal access to our jobs. The information you provide will be treated as confidential. The form will be removed before your application is considered by the panel. It will be used for statistical monitoring only, and will not be passed to anyone involved in the recruitment decision.

Declaration of criminal offences

This form is only shared with the recruitment panel if an applicant who has made a declaration is shortlisted. Please see our policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders for further information.

What happens once I have submitted my application form?

If you do not hear from us within 3 weeks of the closing date please assume that your application has not been successful.

If your application has been successful, the recruiting manager will contact you to invite you to an interview. This will usually be by email using the email address you provided on your application form.

What happens after the interview?

If you are unsuccessful at interview, the recruiting manager will email you to confirm the outcome.

If you are successful at interview, the recruiting manager will contact you by telephone to make a provisional offer of employment which is subject to various pre-employment checks. During this conversation, the recruiting manager will also discuss with you a starting salary. You will then receive a provisional offer of employment in writing.

Complaints procedure

If you feel your application has been unfairly treated, please let us know by emailing Human.Resources@eastherts.gov.uk within ten working days of the date you were informed of the decision, stating the full grounds of your complaint. The complaint will be investigated in accordance with the council's policies and procedures.