Information and guidance notes on completing your job application form
The Application Pack
Job description and person specification
The job description describes the duties of the job and sets out the range of responsibilities and tasks. The person specification describes the person we are looking for by describing knowledge abilities, skills, experience and education needed to do the job. We will be looking at your application form to assess the extent to which you and your relevant skills fit the person specification.
Application form
When completing your application form please take care to ensure all the information asked for is completed; your application form will be used when considering whether you have the right skills and/or experience for the post and whether you will be short listed and called for interview. This will ensure that your application is treated fairly and free from discrimination.
Please note that CVs will not be taken into consideration.
You should note the date by which your form must be returned to us – late applications will generally not be accepted. If applying by post please return your completed application forms, in a sealed envelope marked private and confidential to:
Miss Josephine Foster
HR Advisor
St Catherine’s Hospice
Malthouse Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 6BH
Please note that as a charity, in order to contain costs, we are unable to acknowledge all individual applications. If you have not received a letter within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
Personal Details
Please complete in full.
Education / Professional Qualification / Professional Memberships
Please ensure you give a full list of all education and training which you have received including your school GCSE/A Level results if applicable. The person specification will say whether the post requires any particular qualifications. If you are appointed, we may need to see evidence of your qualifications.
Current or most recent employment/previous employment
Please ensure you complete all questions in these sections; describe your main duties and responsibilities, detailing any achievements.
Supporting statement
This is a very important section; this is your opportunity to tell us why you are suitable for the job, your personal profile and attributes. It is also your chance to cover any experiences, including any voluntary work, that are not covered in any other sections. In this section it would be helpful for you to explain any recent gaps in your employment.
References
All jobs are offered subject to receipt of three satisfactory references; at least one would need to be from your current or most recent employment. All referees must be able to provide information/comments about your potential, reliability and suitability for this post. Make sure that the people you choose are willing to act as referees before you give their details to us. Please give the name, address and telephone number and also indicate whether we can approach the referee prior to the interview.
Health Statement
Please ensure you answer as accurately as possible. Sickness absence may be discussed at interview stage and on reference requests from present/previous employers.
The hospice does not discriminate against applicants with disabilities. Please therefore, assist us by completing this section; this information will not be seen by the selection panel. However at the appointment stage, we may need to check whether you have indicated that you have a disability and to seek further details from you on a confidential basis.
This is to comply with legal obligations to make reasonable adjustment(s) to working arrangements, duties, equipment etc., subject to practical or financial arrangements where these may arise.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and Asylum and Immigration Act 1996
Please read these sections of the form carefully and ensure you answer the question either YES / NO and attach details on a separate sheet if applicable.
Declaration
Please read this section, sign and date it. Read through your form carefully checking for any errors or omissions. Providing false information on your form may result in disqualifying you from the post or in the future lead to termination of employment. Successful applicants are subject to satisfactory references, an occupational health examination and Criminal Records Disclosure if applicable.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
The hospice is committed to a policy of equal opportunities in both our employment practices and selection procedures. To help us monitor this, we would appreciate if you could complete the gender and ethnic monitoring form and return it to us in the enclosed stamped address envelope (separately to your application form). A copy of our Equal Opportunities policy is available on request.
Data Protection
The information given on the application form will either be:
- If you are appointed: stored in a secure area for the period of your employment, and a summary of employment for up to 10 years following the date of leaving our employment. Some information taken from your application form will also be stored on our HR information database.
- If you are not appointed: Stored in a secure area for a period of four months following receipt of your application or interview.
The Interview
All short listed candidates will be invited, by letter and occasionally by telephone, to attend an interview. The letter will inform you of the date, time, location, and contact for the interview, as well as notice of any test or exercise you may be asked to do at the interview. You will also be asked to bring along with you to interview proof of identification.
Applicants will be asked questions relating to the job description, person specification and application form, and the panel will take notes during the course of the interview. This is part of the procedure to ensure that all applicants are treated equally and fairly.
Should you require any further information prior to interview please contact the Human Resource Department on 01293 447353 who will be pleased to assist.