Job Application: Strategies for Success

Welcome! We’re thrilled you’re considering a career with CHCP CIC. Filling out an application form can be challenging, but it is essential for us to learn about you and make informed recruitment decisions. To help you through this process, we have created this guide.

CHCP CIC is adapting to a new era of collaborative, integrated and accessible health and social care services. Our vision is to provide excellent, compassionate care to our communities. We are eager to receive your application and wish you the best of luck.

Understanding the application process

Here is a simple breakdown of our recruitment process:

• Apply – find the job vacancy that suits you and submit your application.
• Shortlisting – the recruiting manager reviews applications based on the person specification.
• Interview – if shortlisted, you are invited to an interview, either in person or via MS Teams.
• Job offer – if your interview is successful, you will receive a job offer. If not, we will provide constructive feedback for your  future applications.
• Pre-employment checks – before starting, you must complete all required checks.
• Start date – once your checks are cleared, you and your manager will agree a start date.

If you require any adjustments during the process, please contact the recruiting manager as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

Note: if you mention in your application that you need a reasonable adjustment due to a disability or health condition, the recruiting manager will not be informed of this due to confidentiality. Therefore, if you are invited for an interview, you must contact the recruiting manager to discuss any necessary adjustments.

Finding our job vacancies

All our job vacancies are on our website, NHS Jobs, Trac Jobs and Health Jobs UK. We also update our social media pages regularly with vacancies and other news.

Before applying

Carefully read the job advertisement, job description and person specification to understand the role. If you need more information, contact the recruiting manager listed in the job advertisement.

If you feel the job isn’t right for you, please share it with someone else who might be interested.

Starting your application

• Create an account on Trac Jobs or NHS Jobs (your details automatically transfer to Trac Jobs if you register with NHS Jobs).
• Register by providing your full name, address, contact details and national insurance number.
• Set up job alerts to receive notifications when relevant roles are advertised. Click ‘jobs-by-email’ and select your preferred roles, band and area of work. You can adjust or stop alerts anytime in your account settings.

Note: some roles may have specific requirements, such as holding a professional registration. Please ensure you meet these requirements before applying.

What we need from you

• Contact details – provide your full name, address, email and telephone number. We need these to communicate with you.
• Qualifications – share your educational background, professional qualifications, training courses attended and your professional registration (if applicable). This helps us understand your skills and knowledge.
• Previous employment – tell us about your employment history, including any gaps in employment. If you have worked for the NHS before, please mention it.
• Supporting information – in this section, include a personal statement, your preferred type of employment (full-time, part-time etc.), and any additional details supporting your application for the specific role. Use this opportunity to showcase why you are a good fit.

Remember, completing all sections, especially the supporting information, is crucial. It is your chance to demonstrate how you meet the person specifications essential and desirable criteria. Please take your time and make sure this section really showcases your abilities and experience.

Quick tips for writing a strong application

• Organise your documents – before starting, arrange your relevant certificates and training course information in date order.
• Provide examples – in your supporting information, demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria stated in the person specification.
• Contact the recruiting manager – if you need more information about the role, find the recruiting manager’s contact details on the job advertisements.
• Choose the right device – complete your application on a tablet, laptop or PC as the form works best on these devices.
• Take your time – you do not have to finish the application all at once. Save your progress and return to it later.
• Proofread – before submitting, proofread your application carefully.
• Seek feedback – ask someone to review your application for errors and check you have demonstrated how you meet the essential criteria.

References

Provide references covering the past three years. Include full contact details for your employer, previous line managers and course tutors (where applicable).

If you have gaps in employment, please provide details of someone who can provide a character reference for you to cover this period.

Pre-employment checks

Once offered a role, there are several checks you’ll need to complete before starting:

• Occupational Health clearance
• Proof of Right to Work in the UK
• Identification check
• References covering the last three years

Additionally, some roles may require:

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

We will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be deducted from your salary over four months.

• Professional registration

We check this before employment for relevant roles.

• Qualification certificates
  Provide these electronically or during an identification check with our recruitment team.

What’s next?

After applying, regularly check your email (including your junk and spam folders) for updates. Instructions for the next steps will be clearly outlined in the email.

Thank you for reading this guide and we look forward to receiving your application!