The application process

Receipt of Application
Receipt of application is confirmed in your Communication Centre, your status will change to either 'Application on Hold' or 'Application Received'.

Sift Procedure
Each application is checked to confirm whether applicants possess the essential formal entry qualifications asked for, and meet the eligibility criteria specified in the advert. A sift panel is normally arranged within 1 week of the closing date depending on the volume of applications received.

The purpose of this panel is to assess the relative merit of the applicants in order to produce a manageable shortlist for interview. If we receive a large number of applications then the checking process will take longer and the sift may be delayed by up to a further week.

Interview Process
Candidates will be notified by an automated email if they have been invited to interview. Once the email has been received candidates will need to follow the link (or login directly) to the Communication Centre to book their own interview slot. Candidates will have up to two days before the interview to re-schedule their interview time.

Successful candidates will be given a provisional offer at this stage, pending satisfactory completion of checks and references. This provisional offer usually includes salary details.

Please note: You should know that if successful at interview, all appointments are subject to the satisfactorily completion of pre-employment checks consisting of references, health and security checks. All of this takes a number of weeks so if you are in employment it would not be advisable for you to resign until you have received a formal offer of appointment.

Checks and Reference Stage
The checks and reference process is conducted for all successful candidates (i.e. including nominated reserves). It is therefore important that you make us aware of any sensitivities you may have, such as the timing of approaching your current employer. The process involves the following components which are conducted concurrently:

• Obtaining employer references for the last 3 years. This can take up to 4 weeks or more as employers often have to be hastened. If you can exert some influence on your current employer this may help facilitate an early reply. If appropriate you may be tested on a required skill (for example shorthand speed)
• Referral of the health declaration form to the local Medical Authority, or for assessment by ATOS Healthcare (our contracted provider of professional occupational health advice) when necessary. It could take up to 4 weeks for a straightforward check, but will take longer if a more in-depth investigation is required. If you have declared significant medical complaints it may be worth informing your GP and/or specialist that they should expect contact from ATOS Healthcare and that you would appreciate their swift co-operation in replying to any such requests for further information. A number of posts require a medical
• Sending the security questionnaire form to the Defence Vetting Agency to conduct full security clearance. If you have lived and worked in the UK for at least the last 5 years and have no foreign connections, the clearance usually takes around 6 weeks to complete. However, if you have lived/worked abroad and/or have foreign connections, the clearance could take longer and in some cases a lot longer, depending on the countries concerned. Developed Vetting (the requirement for which will be stated in the advert) can take 3 months or more to complete

Formal Appointment Process
Candidates will receive either a Formal Offer (provided that the checks are completed satisfactorily) or an Unsuccessful Notice. Both these will be received by email.

If a Formal Offer / Job Offer Letter is received candidates will need to login to the Communication Centre and accept / decline the offer online.