Guidance notes for job applicants
Completing the application form
The application form is usually the only information we have about a candidate when deciding who to select for interview. It is therefore very important that you take the opportunity to complete your form as fully and concisely as possible based on the information we have given you about the job.
It is sometimes difficult to determine from an application form how well an applicant meets the criteria that have been identified for successful performance in the job. To make this a more objective process, and to assist us in short listing, it would be helpful if you could bear in mind the following suggestions when completing your application form:
- To complete the application to the best effect, make full use of the blank section headed ‘Statement of Application’ by demonstrating how you meet each of the criteria identified in the Job Description and Person Specification. You will find it useful to list these on the Statement of Application and, where possible, give examples to show how you match these criteria by drawing on your past and current experience and highlighting the transferable skills and experience you have gained or developed as a result. Where possible, give examples to show how you match the particular skill.
- Do a rough draft first. This helps you to avoid making mistakes and allows you to make sure that the information you have given is relevant.
- The Job Description outlining the main purpose and duties of the job will usually be the main document that is available to you. You may also find other useful information on our website. We cannot make assumptions about your skills and experience – if you don’t tell us we won’t know. We do not take account of any previous applications you have made or prior knowledge of you.
- The Person Specification will give you additional information on the skills, experience, abilities etc. that we are looking for.
- Any additional relevant information you would like to give, including outside work interests, would be welcome and will give us a broader picture of you. Two sides of A4 size paper should be sufficient.
- If possible, make a copy of your completed form for future reference.
- Don’t send the same form for all jobs you see advertised at Erewash – pay attention to the specific job requirements for the job you are applying for.
- Make sure you return your form to us before the closing date.
If at any time you would like to discuss a particular job in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact HR on 0115 9076001 ext 73000. They will be able to advise you, or give you the name of an appropriate person to contact, if this has not already been included in the advertisement.
Equal opportunities monitoring
As a major employer in the area, we aim to ensure that individuals are selected regardless of any factor other than the ability to do the job. To help us ensure that our Equality and Diversity Policy is fully and fairly implemented you are asked to co-operate in completing the relevant section on the application form.
References
We do not normally take up references until a provisional offer of employment has been made. However, in certain cases, references may be taken up at the shortlist stage. If you do not want this to take place until a provisional offer of appointment is made, please indicate “no” on the application form. However, any employment by us will be dependent on satisfactory references. This may cause a delay in the confirmation of your appointment. We prefer to approach your present employer. If you are not employed or are unable to provide this information, please give the names of referees you have known in a professional capacity, a teacher for example. Please state each referee’s relationship to you (current employer, previous employer etc.). Please note that members of your family are not acceptable as referees.
Rehabilitation of offenders act 1974
One of the sections on the application form asks you to provide details of any criminal convictions that you have. You should read the following guidance notes carefully before doing so:
Under the above Act, job applicants do not have to disclose information on certain convictions after a set period of time, i.e. when they become “spent”. If you have an unspent criminal conviction we will look at it in relation to the job you have applied for before making a decision. We will treat it in the strictest confidence.
There are specific job categories which are exempt under the provisions of the Act. This means that you must declare “spent” or “unspent” convictions for work in these categories. If you are applying for a job which involves regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of persons aged under 18 or vulnerable adults, you MUST disclose all details of any caution or criminal offence. Under the Criminal Justice and Court Service Act 2000 it is an offence for an individual who has been disqualified from working with children to knowingly apply for, offer to do or accept or do any work in a “regulated position”.
The Criminal Records Bureau which is now part of the Disclosure and Baring service (DBS) has been established under Part V of the Police Act 1997 by the Home Office to undertake all criminal record checks in England and Wales. If you are a successful applicant for a post which falls within the above categories, you will be required to apply for a “disclosure” (i.e. details of any criminal convictions and/or record) from the DBS and any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure being received. There are three levels of disclosure – basic, standard and enhanced. If a standard or enhanced disclosure is required, your application to the DBSwill be countersigned by the HR who will act as a registered body for this purpose. We will need your agreement to the disclosure being obtained and you will receive a copy of the written disclosure. Further information regarding this process will be explained to you by a member of the HR at the appropriate time.
Disability confident employer
The Council is positive about disabled people and those who meet the essential shortlisting requirements will be guaranteed an interview.
Guaranteed interview scheme for veterans
The Council supports the Armed Forces Covenant and those who have previously worked in the armed forces and meet the essential shortlisting criteria will be guaranteed an interview. Please ensure that you make it clear on your application form that you wish to be considered under this criteria.
Relationships
You must disclose any personal relationships with an Erewash Borough Councillor or Employee of the Council on the back of the application form.
At the interview
If you have been invited for an interview, here are a few tips that might help you:
- Prepare yourself – maybe there is more you could find out about the job or the organisation (e.g. visit our website – www.erewash.gov.uk) or for certain posts, things that you have produced or worked on that you could take along to show the panel, perhaps to support your application.
- Arrive on time – the last thing you want is to feel rushed and harassed when you go into the interview.
- Settle yourself down and make yourself comfortable. When asked a question, give yourself time to think about it before you answer.
- You might be asked questions about: yourself, your experiences, your qualities and skills that you would bring to this job, your application form and probably some questions to test your approach and expertise in a particular area of activity.
- Some interviews may include a test, or ask you to make a presentation. In such cases you will be given the necessary details when invited to attend for interview.
- At the end of the interview, you will be asked if you have any questions - don’t be afraid to ask! However, there’s no obligation to ask questions so equally don’t feel you have to!
Ways to apply for the job
There are different ways to apply to work for Erewash Borough Council however applicants are encouraged to use the online application form service. We have designed the process with the applicant in mind so that it is easy to use and to keep track of applications. Using the online application service is not only better for applicants it is also better for the environment as less paper is used. Here are some of the other benefits of using our online application service.
Online Applications
- Are easier and faster to complete and ensures that all mandatory fields are completed without fail.
- Easier to add more details or make changes to details already provided
- The information provided during registration on the job site will be automatically populated in your online application in the ‘employment history’ section. This saves you time from re-entering all the information for your next application.
- Gives you the flexibility to part complete an application form, save and come back to it, complete and submit it at a convenient day and time.
- You have the facility to print your own application form or access it any time.
- You will be able to see the status of your application online and will receive quick email communication.
- There is also a facility to search for jobs and set up a job alert which will ensure you receive an email when a similar post is advertised.
Other Ways to Apply
- There are other manual ways to submit a job application form if you are unable to do so via our online application form.
- You can download a PDF or Word Version of our job application form. You can see links to other versions of the job application form below.
- The completed job application forms can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or can be sent by post to:
Erewash Borough Council, HR
Ilkeston Town Hall, Wharncliffe Road, Ilkeston,
Derbyshire, DE7 5RP - Alternatively, an application pack is available from HR, Erewash Borough Council, Town Hall, Derby Road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire NG10 1HU, telephone: 0115 931 6000 (24 hr voicemail)
- Please note that it may take up to 3 working days for you to receive your application pack by post.
- Always ensure that the job reference number is quoted on your completed application form and is received by us before the closing date.
Application form PDF- Acrobat 359.73 KB
Application form DOCX - MS Word 357.29 KB