Applying for a Job

The application form

• You should complete the application form using a black pen as it may be photocopied
• You should write clearly and legibly, and check for any spelling or factual mistakes. You may want to take a copy of the blank form and complete it in draft before you submit the final version
• You can download an application form and complete it using a Word processing package. This will allow you to correct any mistakes more easily. However, you will need to ensure that you sign and send a hard copy to us
• You should only give a work telephone number if you wish us to contact you at work. If we do contact you at work we will be discrete, and we won’t reveal that you have applied to us for a vacancy
• You should make sure that you are giving accurate information about your educational and professional qualifications as we may ask you to produce evidence of your qualifications
• You may be involved in a range of activities outside of work which are relevant to your application to the States of Jersey, and you should make sure that you tell us about them. For example, you may be involved with a Scout, Brownie or Cub pack or a church group, or act as a volunteer with a charity. You may possess qualifications or certificates which are relevant – a first aid certificate, or being fluent in another language
• When completing the section on ‘Additional information’ at 3(b) you will need to explain how you meet each of the essential requirements listed in the person specification. Try to give practical examples from your personal or working life wherever possible. If there is not enough space for your answers on the form itself, you can continue on a separate sheet of paper
• References: your referees will not be contacted without your permission, so if you do not want them contacted prior to interview, make sure that you tell us this in the appropriate section.
• Signing the form. Finally, you need to sign and date the form to confirm that all the information that you have given is correct.

Preparing for the interview

You have probably had some experience of interviews in the past, but if not you may be able to get some practical advice and possibly a practice interview by contacting the Careers Service at the Department of Employment and Social Security, States of Jersey.

Before the interview, re-read the information sent with the application pack and remind yourself what you put in your application form. It is also a good idea to find out as much as possible about the department and the job itself. There is a lot of information on this website.

You will normally be interviewed by a panel of two or three people, and they will ask you questions mainly relating to the person specification and the competencies which have been identified for the job. The length of the interview will vary from half an hour up to an hour. At the end of the interview you will be given some time to ask questions, and it is a good idea to think of some questions beforehand.

We use tests on occasions to give us additional information about candidates. The tests range from straightforward skills tests – to test your typing or keyboard skills for example, through to psychometric tests which can test your aptitude for numbers, language and the ability to solve complex problems. You may be asked to participate in group or team exercises. You will be told in advance whether you can expect tests as part of the interview process.

We will tell you as soon as possible after the interview what the outcome has been. If you are not successful, don’t give up. There is fierce competition for some of our jobs and getting as far as the interview stage is a success in itself.

Page Last Updated: 20/10/2005