Our application process

On this page

• Make an application
• Shortlisting
• Interview stage
• Offer stage
• Relatives of elected councillors or senior council offers
• Disclosing criminal convictions
• Complaints

Make an application

For each application you’ll complete a short application form, and submit your CV. Please ensure that you submit your application by midnight on the closing date. You will not be able to apply after this date. 

We advertise all our vacancies with information on the role including: 

• duties and responsibilities 
• essential/desirable criteria: experience, qualifications, training and other requirements 
• a PDF job description with full details of the role which you should download and save 

Read the advert, the job description and person specification. You can then start to complete your application. For some jobs a supporting statement is required and for others it is optional. We’ll let you know in the advert if a supporting statement is required. We can find the supporting statement helpful to understand how your skills and experience fit the role in question.

Interview stage

In the email letting you know you have an interview, there will be a link for you to select your interview slot. You can also see the interview details, such as any preparation required, interview format and location. 

Your interview is an opportunity for you to display how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for the job. Preparation is key. An interview is also a chance for you to get a better understanding of the business, work environment and culture to make sure it also fits your values. This will ensure that you and the employer are confident in your / their decision.

Offer stage

If we offer you the position, the hiring manager will contact you to make a verbal offer. If you accept, you will get a conditional offer and login details for our onboarding portal. You can use this to tell us personal details such as next of kin and bank details. 

As part of your offer we will need to carry out pre-employment checks. Your offer stays conditional until we have these. These include: 

• Pre-employment medical screening 
• Employment references 
• Eligibility to work in the UK 
• DBS check (if applicable) 
• Qualifications (if applicable) 

Relatives of elected councillors or senior council officers 

If you are in or have any relationship with a councillor or senior officer of the council, you must tell us when applying for a job. If you fail to disclose this information, you may be disqualified from your appointment. Councillors and senior officers must also disclose any relationship they may have with someone applying to work for the council.  

You must not try to influence any councillor or officer of the council in relation to your job application. If you do so you will be disqualified. This means you must not seek the support or influence of a councillor or officer about who to appoint. ,

Disclosing criminal convictions 

Under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, certain jobs need applicants to declare all criminal convictions/cautions, regardless of whether they are spent. If the job you are applying falls into this category, an offer of employment will need a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

All exempt jobs under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be clearly indicated in the job advertisement or any other supporting information. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Complaints 

If you wish to make a complaint about the recruitment process, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance at recruitment@reading.gov.uk.