Your Recruitment Journey

There are a number of stages you will need to go through on your recruitment journey before you are able to join Team MWL.

Below highlights the key stages within our recruitment process. Throughout your recruitment journey with us you will receive several emails from the Trac e-recruitment system. All communications are designed to provide guidance on any action required from yourself and what will happen next.

• View our Interactive Recruitment Journey

  Interactive Recruitment Journey

  This document has been designed to support you through your recruitment journey with us.
• Step 1 - Complete your application

  

  To get started submit your application via our Website, NHSJobs or HealthJobs. When the post is closed, we will shortlist everyone who applied against the advertised criteria.

  Completing your application

  Once you’ve found the vacancy you feel you’ve got the skills for, you will need to complete an online application.

  Your application form is the first stage of any selection process and is the gateway to the next stage of the selection process as it provides us with key information about your skills and abilities and your suitability for the role you are applying for. This information will help us decide whether to progress your application to shortlisting and interview.

  Therefore, it is important to take your time and complete your application form in as much detail as possible.

  • Make sure you review the person specification when completing the application form, you should  adapt the contents of your application to the person specification of the job you are applying for, ensuring all information is accurate and honest.
  • The supporting information section is an important element to your application form, this is your chance to tell us about yourself, and for you to display your skills and knowledge for the role you are applying for and why we should consider you. This section can include other information that has not been covered elsewhere on your application form.
  • Never submit the same application form twice. Always adapt it to show how you meet the person specification of the post you are applying for.
  • Please don’t leave your application until the last moment. Sometimes, if there are a high number of applications for a particular post, we will close the advert before the official deadline of applications.

  Here are some important tips to keep in mind whilst completing your application:

  • Provide details of all relevant education and any qualifications you hold (in reverse chronological order).
  • Provide a full employment history (in reverse chronological order)
  • Provide details of any gaps in employment in the relevant sections.
  • Provide details of your referees - you must provide references for all employment or training you have undertaken in the last three years.

  Work Permits

  If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in the application form.

  References

  Please make sure you provide accurate contact details for your referees and let them know if a reference request is being sent to them. This often speeds up the process and avoids unnecessary delays to you starting your job. Please note, we will not be able to accept non-professional email addresses for work related references for example, Hotmail or Gmail email domains. These email domains can only be used for character references.

  • Complete contact details is required i.e. full names, a contact address, telephone number and email address. Please note that most of our communication is done by email. We are required to obtain references covering a minimum of three years and will contact people listed as referees on your application
  • Your first referee should be your current employer if you are in work and the other should be from a previous employer/school/college. Your current employer details should be your Head of Department or if not available your Human Resources Department.
  • If you have not worked for some time or have never worked, use referees who can comment on your ability to do the job, e.g. a teacher, course tutor or charity organiser. Don't give the names of family members or friends.

  Equal Opportunities

  The Trust has a duty to collate equality information on all applications received. The information you supply during this process  is used for reporting only and is not made available at any point to the shortlisting or interview panel. This information, once captured, helps us to consider how effective our policies on promoting equal opportunities and valuing diversity are. It will never be used to decide who will be offered the job.

  Disability

  We are committed to increasing employment opportunities for disabled people and encourage all people with a disability to apply for a job with us. 

  As a 'Disability Confident Leader' we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who consider themselves to have a disability and who meet the minimum selection criteria (essential) at each stage of the selection process. You can indicate your wish to submit an application under the Trust's guaranteed interview scheme in the personal information section of the online application form.

  If you consider yourself to be disabled (or have any other long term health issues) and have special support needs in applying for a job, attending an interview or in undertaking any tests as part of a selection process, please inform us of any reasonable adjustments that you require in order for us to support you in maximising your ability to gain employment with us.
  
  Reasonable adjustments during an interview may include:

  • Adapting the environment, for example dimming down the lights.
  • Allowing the candidate additional time to complete interviews, for example where there is an unseen test, particularly individuals with dyslexia or other learning difficulties.
  • Accommodating the interview at a particular time, for example if applicants need to take medication or they have difficulty using public transport during rush hour.
  • Bringing along an interpreter, for example for a candidate who communicates using sign language.

  If you require reasonable adjustments to get to the interview or selection test, please provide us with your requirements in the space indicated on the application form.

  You may also be entitled to receive support from Access to Work throughout the recruitment stages.
  For more information, contact Access to Work on 0345 268 8489 or visit www.gov.uk/access-to-work. 

• Step 2 - Making the shortlist

  

  If your skills, knowledge and experience match those we’re looking for (as indicated in the person specification), you will be shortlisted and invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process (usually an interview).

  Shortlisting process

  Our shortlisting process is based on how well you demonstrate that you meet the criteria for the role you are applying for.

  When shortlisting candidates, we use the person specification to check for relevant skills, abilities and experience required for the role. Any applicants who meet the criteria on the person specification will be the ones that are shortlisted for interview so please make sure you evidence as much of the person specification as possible.

  In order to demonstrate that you meet the criteria of the role, please evidence the qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience as stated within the person specification and provide clear examples within the supporting information section.

• Step 3 - Interview invite

  

  All shortlisted applicants are invited to attend an interview or assessment centre, dependent on the role you have applied for - you will receive an email notification from us.

  Interview process

  If your application for the post with us has been shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an interview or assessment day (dependent upon the role).

  You will receive an email invite to an interview/assessment, this will include a link for you to book a suitable time to attend.

  Once you select a date and/or time, you will receive an email confirmation which will include details of the interview panel and any additional tests that form part of the selection process, as well as information on when and where to attend on the day, and any forms of identification you will need to provide on the day. It is important to take the right ID documents on your (face-to-face) interview.

  If the interviews are being held virtually, you will be provided with instructions on how to access the video platform (Virtual interview is typically conducted on Microsoft Teams).
  
  We use a variety of selection methods to help us choose the right person for the role. Depending on the role you have applied for, you may be required to undertake other forms of assessment as part of the selection process. This may include for example: presentations, written exercise, role play, short case study. For senior or specialist roles, you may be asked to complete a psychometric test or take part in an assessment day. These help us assess your suitability for the role and any assessments you undertake will always be relevant to the job you have applied for.

  Helpful tips for your interview

  • Do your research about our Trust and the department you are being interviewed for. Read through the job description, person specification and your application form, the questions you are asked during your interview will likely relate to these documents, so have a think about what you may be asked and prepare for your answers in advance.
  • During the interview make sure you make eye contact this helps to address and engage with the interview panels and be as clear and concise as you can, also be aware of your body language.
  • Prepare a set of questions to ask the interviewers. You will be given the opportunity to ask question. This will allow you to discuss the role in more detail, which will help you to assess whether the role is really for you.
  • First impressions count, be professional and friendly it makes you look approachable and enthusiastic. You can also make a good first impression, by looking smart and being well dressed. Even if your interview is held virtually, ensure you still look smart and treat it like usual face-to-face interview.
  • Plan your journey, if you are invited to a face to face interview, and plan head to avoid delays. If you are delayed for any reason, make sure you call ahead to let your interviewers know.

  We wish you all the best of luck on your interviews with us!

• Step 4 - Interview outcomes

  

  If you’re successful you will receive a phone call from the recruiting manager to offer you the job.
  
  If you’re unsuccessful, we’ll email you to let you know. The email will also include details of the recruiting manager so you can get in touch with them should you require feedback.

  Whether you are successful or not, you will receive a call or email to let you know the outcome. If you are not successful this will be your opportunity to ask for feedback.

• Step 5 - Conditional offer

  

  The successful applicant will receive a conditional offer of employment. This will confirm the details of your new role and explain the next steps of the recruitment process.

  Your conditional employment offer is subject to NHS Employment Checks Standards.

   

   

• Step 6 - Identity checks / Pre-employment checks

  

  In your conditional job offer email you will be invited for an identity check, the email you have received will outline the documents you need to provide on the day.

  We will initiate pre-employment checks during this stage, should we require any documents or supporting information we will be in touch directly.

  • Identification - We will require three forms of ID, including proof of your right to work in the UK. We will advise the required ID documents, but these are generally one photo ID, two proofs of address (or vice versa)  e.g. passport or two household bills. For your right to work we will need your UK/EU passport, UK birth certificate or Biometric Residence Permit.
  • Convictions - If applicable to the post, we will initiate a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or use the update service where applicable
  • Qualifications - If applicable to the post, we will ask for copies of your original qualification certification (and/or equivalent experience will be taken into account).
  • Professional Registration - if applicable to the post, we will check any council registers.
  • References - We will request references covering 3 years work history, including your recent employer (Read more here > hyperlink the References tab.)
  • Occupational Health - We will initiate an occupational health check. You will be asked to complete an occupational health questionnaire and will be reviewed by our Occupational Health Team. They will either clear you fit to work or book an appointment with them. This will be dependent on the role you have applied for.

  You will receive email reminders from us to prompt you to complete these steps as soon as possible, to enable you to start your new role.

  If you need employment details as part of your hiring process, we encourage you to use the HMRC app.

  Applicants can get their employment history and income (going back 5 years), National Insurance number and tax codes all at a touch. They can also print and download this information, to share with us if needed.

• Step 7 - Your unconditional offer (formal offer letter!)

  

  Once your pre-employment screening is completed and your checks have all been verified and cleared, we’ll arrange a start date and then book you onto our Welcome Event.

  Congratulations! You’re now officially part of Team MWL.

   

   

   

• Step 8 - Starting with Team MWL

  

  As a warm welcome to Team MWL, you will attend a virtual Welcome Event via Zoom, facilitated by the Learning & Organisational Development Team.

  You will also complete a local induction in your new department.