Apply for a council job vacancy

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to match the qualifications and personal requirements exactly?

The qualification and personal requirements are the ideal minimum qualifications and skills that the recruiting-manager would expect the candidate to process. However, if you feel that you can meet the requirements in previous experience, or through other educational means, we would recommend applying for the role.

How do I show that I meet competencies?

On the Competencies page of the application form, you are given a box in which to explain how you meet the first competency. We would recommend naming the competency, and explaining fully how you meet it. To add further competencies click on the “Add Record” button, which will add a further competency to your application form. We would recommend adding as many competencies as there are competencies listed on the Job Description, and showing how you meet each one.

For applicants completing a paper-based form, your competency boxes will already be listed for you.  

What is a DBS Check?

Employers can check the criminal record of someone applying for certain eligible roles. This is known as getting a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

• under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a person with a criminal record does not have to tell us about any 'spent' convictions, unless the job they are applying for is exempted under the act
• some positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 because of the type of work that will be carried out - these positions will need a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and we will tell you in the advert if a DBS check is needed
• if a DBS check is needed, you will need to tell the us when you apply about the full details and dates of any criminal convictions, bind overs or cautions, including any that may be spent, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
• having a criminal conviction does not mean that you cannot be appointed to the post - we will consider your case against our recruitment policy and advise you as soon as possible if your conviction has any bearing on you being employed

If you have any questions about this please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources who will talk to you about this. 

View the Council’s Guidance Notes on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders for more detailed information.

For further information regarding the DBS Service, please see the links below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice 

Do I need to complete a DBS check?

Some Council posts may be eligible and subject to a DBS check.  This will always be noted on the advert for the vacancy on our website. 

For further information on how the DBS use your personal data, please click the link below, to the DBS Standard and Enhanced DBS Check Privacy Policy:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-privacy-policies 

Why do I need to have a DBS check?

It is a requirement that applicants appointed to DBS protected roles be checked under the Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS). You will be subject to a DBS check if you work with vulnerable adults and/or children.

For further information and guidance, please go to

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbs-eligibility-guidance

Special Category and criminal conviction personal data

View the Council’s policy statement regarding how we will protect Special Category and criminal convictions personal data.

Data Protection

View the Councils Privacy Notice on the processing of Job applications for full details about what we do with your personal data, in our recruitment process.   

View the Councils Data Protection Privacy Notice, for full details on how we use your information.

When will I hear about my application?

After the closing date, all of the applications that have been received will be sent to the recruiting-manager for shortlisting. This is normally completed within one week. All applicants that have been shortlisted will be contacted via email or letter and given times and dates of interviews. Unfortunately, due to economic reasons, those applicants who have not been shortlisted will not be contacted.

Can I change the time or date of my interview?

Generally, no. It is usual practice for an interview panel to agree a time that suits all members, and ensures sufficient time for all of the applicants’ test scores to come back, and to be reviewed prior to interviews.

I was interviewed in the past by Tendring District Council; do I need to have another interview for the post I have recently applied for?

Yes. You are required to attend an interview for each post you have been shortlisted for. We cannot take into account a past interview, even if it was for the same post as the one you have recently applied for.  

I have completed an online assessment in the past. Do I have to complete another online assessment for the post I have recently applied for?

Yes. Online assessments are only valid for a six-month period.

Why do I have to complete an online assessment, as well as attend an interview?

The online assessments that is in use by Tendring District Council is used as part of your interview and selection process. Your assessments will be relevant to the post applied for. The results will be taken into account when the final appointing decisions are made.

Using the online form

Timeout for security

The form is set to time out after approximately 30 minutes, so we recommend that you save your application regularly.

Saving your form

There is a "Save" button near the top of every page of the job application form.  On clicking the save button you will be asked to enter an email address and password.  Please make a note of this information as you will need it to retrieve your form.  Once you've entered your details, press submit to save your form.  You can then exit the form should you wish to. You should receive an email to the email address you entered which will include a reminder of the password you've used.  You can save your form as many times as you wish, using either the same email address and password, or different details.

Retrieving a saved form

You can either use the link in the confirmation email you received when you saved the form, or simply navigate to the Job Application Form page.  Click the "Retrieve saved form" button which is available near the top of the form and enter the appropriate email address and password followed by "Submit".  If you have only saved the form once, your saved version will appear immediately.  If you have saved the form a number of times using the same email address and password, you will be presented with a list of saved forms, including the date and time they were saved.  You should choose the version you wish to continue editing and press the appropriate "Restore" button.

Saved forms will be automatically deleted after a period of 6 months.

Mandatory Fields

Some fields are mandatory and you will not be able to progress through the form or submit it until all mandatory fields have been completed.  These are marked with *

Format of entered data

Some fields will only accept entries in a specific format, eg date fields - dd/mm/yyyy, or can only accept up to a certain number of characters.  These fields be indicated by appropriate instructions and you will not be able to progress through the form or submit it until your data is in the correct format or less than the maximum number of characters.

Copying and pasting

You are able to copy and paste from other programmes, for example Office Word, where you may have decided to spell check or count the characters of your text before entering it into the form.

Submitting your form

Once you have completed and checked your application, please press the "Submit" button on the final page to send in your application.  Once you have pressed "Submit" you will NOT be able to amend your application so we recommend you check it thoroughly before submitting.

You should see a green notification box at the bottom of the form indicating that your form has been successfully submitted.  You will also receive an email notification, attaching a pdf copy of your application for your records.  If you are invited to interview you will need to print this, sign and date the declaration box on the final page and bring it with you to interview.

Trouble submitting your form?

The most common causes are missing information where mandatory fields have not been completed, incorrect format or too many characters.  Please check back through your form carefully to make sure you have entered all necessary information correctly.

During the year we offer many individuals of different ages and abilities, including graduates, a variety of opportunities for voluntary work experience within the Council.

Work experience gives you the chance to gain hands-on experience and can be invaluable to entering into your chosen career.  A placement will enhance your knowledge, give you an insight into the world of work, allow you to be part of a team and give you the opportunity to explore Local Government.

We require all applicants for work experience to complete a Work Experience placement application Form.  This form requires you to tell us why you really want to do work experience and what you want to get out of your time with us.

Work Placement Procedure

The most frequently requested work experience placements include:

• Accountancy
• Administration
• Leisure

Please note that due to the volume of application forms we receive, we are unable to guarantee places.  To ensure you have the best chance of securing a placement we would recommend you submit your application between the months of September and January.