Completing the application form is the first step in the recruitment process which may lead to the offer of an interview and the possible offer of a job. It is therefore most important that you complete all sections of the application form as clearly and fully as possible.
Please write or type your form in black ink because we have to photocopy the form and some other colours do not copy well.
Please read all these notes before completing an application form
When you apply for a post with Bradford Metropolitan District Council, selection for interview is based on the information contained in your Application Form and Additional information. Do not send a curriculum vitae (CV) as we shortlist on the basis of your ability to meet the competencies listed in the job profile, and a standard CV may not cover all the points you need to emphasise.
The Application Form is divided into several sections. Make sure that you include something in each section (don’t be afraid to repeat yourself from one section to another if you think it is necessary to cover all your attributes).
The Job Profile
You must have received and read the job profile which has been drawn up for the particular job before applying.
The Job Profile describes the key purpose and main responsibilities of the post (i.e. the duties you would be expected to carry out) and sets out any core, technical and professional competencies and any other requirements of the post. The competencies will be used as a basis for shortlisting candidates. Candidates will not be required to provide evidence of having met the core employee competencies attached at the rear of the Job Profile although they may be tested at interview.
Remember – It is up to you to provide us with enough evidence of how you meet the requirements of the post to enable a decision on shortlisting to be made.
The Application Form
If you have applied for more than one job, you must fill in a different form for each job because the requirements of the individual Job Profiles may be different. The Recruitment and Selection Panel will be looking for different criteria for each job, so you need to address this in the information you include in the application form.
Read the Application Form and Job Profile through carefully before you write anything. The Job Profile is particularly important as it will tell you what we are looking for in an applicant ie the relevant Technical and Professional competencies, together with any qualifications required.
You will need to provide examples on your application form of how you meet the competencies, together with any qualifications. Use words like “I plan” or “I organised” to show what your specific role was, what you were responsible for.
You can include examples from outside work of how you meet the relevant competencies. For example, have you held a position of responsibility in a community association? If you have any doubt where to include experience which doesn’t relate to the competencies themselves, then the Additional Information section of the form should be used. You are not required to provide evidence of how you meet the core employee competencies attached at the rear of the Job Profile although they may be tested at interview.
In each section, if you need more space, use extra sheets of paper. If you do, please put your name on these sheets with the post reference number – shown on the front of the application form.
- Front page - Personal Details
Please provide the information required. - Page Two - Education, Qualifications and Training
Include in this section all school and further/higher education. Ensure that results/grades are included, where and how obtained and exact dates (e.g. June 2010 - June 2011).
If any qualification is required on the Job Profile make sure you give all the information required such as ‘O’ or ‘A’ levels, GCSE, RSA, BTEC, NVQ, GNVQ, etc in order that we can check for equivalent levels.
Details of Professional Qualifications/Membership - Include all Professional Qualifications and membership of an Institute or Body. Ensure that full details, including dates, are included.
Details of Training - Include all training relevant to the requirements of the post. Ensure that the results/grades, how they were obtained and exact dates are included.
Language Skills - Include any language skills, other than English, that you have.
If you are shortlisted, at the interview you will be required to produce copies of the relevant qualifications. Checks will be carried out before any offers of appointment are made.
You are, therefore, advised to take steps to ensure that you have original certificates available or you can submit original notifications from the relevant examining bodies (originals will have to be produced after a job offer has been made).
Disclosure check with the Criminal Records Bureau - If the post for which you are applying has been designated by the Authority as requiring a disclosure check, you will be asked to complete a form to enable this check to be carried out. Further information will be provided if you are invited to interview.
N.B. For appropriate posts a check will be undertaken of those individuals listed by the Independent Safeguarding Authority as being barred from undertaking employment with the groups involved. Those barred from working with the appropriate client groups must not apply.
Social Worker Registration Number – If you are applying for a Social Worker position you must provide us with your social worker number. - Page Three - Employment History and Previous Employment
You need to give details of past employment relevant to the job you are applying for. Enter the names and addresses of past and present employers, starting with the most recent.
You can also include any part-time or voluntary work you have carried out. If you include any voluntary work, list the name and address of the group(s) involved and include how many hours per week/month you worked. - Page Four - Information on your skills and competencies.
This is a particularly important section as applicants are required to provide examples of how they have previously carried out the technical and professional competencies outlined in the individual Job Profile. Eg BD8 Maximises Business Potential /understands the needs of clients from the Business Development Competencies. These competencies are divided into two groups: key competencies which are the maximum of 10 professional and technical competencies listed in the Job Profile, followed by up to a maximum of10 additional competencies. Shortlisting will usually take place against the maximum of 10 key competencies, however if there is a large field of applicants the additional competencies will also be used for shortlisting purposes.
NB candidates with a disability will be shortlisted against the evidence they provide for the key competencies only. If these candidates meet this criteria they will be shortlisted for interview even if additional competencies are utilised for shortlisting.
Please provide an example of how you meet each of the competencies set out in the Job Profile. Use up to two additional sheets as necessary. - Page Five - Any additional supporting information and references
Provide any additional supporting information. NB please note as outlined above shortlisting will take place against competencies only
References: Select two people who can confirm that you have previous experience of carrying out the duties of the post you have applied for from previous jobs or voluntary work. Ask them if they are willing to be a referee and whether they would be able to write outlining your experience if a reference is requested. If you are currently in employment, one of the referees should normally be your present employer, or if you are a student one of the referees should be your school/college tutor. Please do not send copies of the references with your application form. If you wish to withhold permission to contact referees, you should give clear instructions on the application form. - Page Six
Job Sharing: If this post is full time and it has been advertised as being suitable for Job Sharing, please tell us whether you are applying for a full time post, willing to Job Share, or whether you would consider either
Disability: If you consider yourself to be a disabled person, please say so. In accordance with Council Policy, any disabled applicant who demonstrates that they fulfil all the key competencies on the role profile will be invited for interview.
Signing and dating the Application Form - Please sign and date the Application Form to state that all the information provided is correct to the best of your knowledge. Please be aware that the withholding, falsifying or omitting of relevant information by a successful candidate are grounds for disciplinary action being taken. - Page Seven - Equalities Monitoring Information Section
As an equal rights employer, the council seeks a workforce which reflects the community it serves .To ensure that this policy is carried out effectively, we ask all applicants to provide information as requested on this page. Please note it will be used only for administrative and monitoring purposes and will be confidential and not used to discriminate against any individual applicant.
Finally ensure that your application form is returned in time to meet the closing date .
Additional information on the Recruitment Process
The Council does not acknowledge receipt of application forms. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted shortly after the closing date. However, if you do not hear from us in 4 weeks, then please assume that on this occasion you have been unsuccessful but do not let this stop you from applying for other vacancies.
