Each application is assessed in the same way, against the same, agreed criteria for the vacancy in question. "Criteria" means the key skills that we think you need to be able to do a job. Our application form is split into two sections to ensure anonymity during short-listing. Part A contains only personal information, such as your name and address. It is not seen by the selection panel. Part B is for information relevant to your application. It is the only part of your application the selection panel are provided with. You must also complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. Information contained in this form is used only for monitoring purposes.  It will be treated in the strictest confidence and held securely within the Personnel Office.

Planning and Completing your Application Form

The information that you provide in Part B of your application is the only information we will use in deciding whether or not you will be short-listed for interview. Before filling in your form you should read the job information carefully.  This is to  make sure that you know what the job involves and the skills and qualifities needed. Part B of the form is a chance to demonstrate that you have the skills required. You should use section 5 of the application form (Skills and Knowledge) to address the six skills listed.  You should use specific evidence to support your statements.  You must show us what you did, the reasons for your action, what happened, what you took into account and the outcome.  The selection panel will not make assumptions about your skills and abilities, for instance through job titles.

You should fill in the forms as completely and as clearly as possible. Please do not send us your Curriculum Vitae instead of a completed form as this will not be considered. This is so that we can assess all application forms equally.

Versions of the form are available in paper or on-screen versions. Both kinds of form can be found on this website by clicking on the job advert, or by contacting us at the numbers and addresses listed below.  If you have any difficulties completing the form, or if you would like it in an alternative format (such as large print or audio tape) please get in touch with us:

Address:  The Personnel Office

                The Scottish Parliament

                Edinburgh

                EH99 1SP

Telephone: 0131 348 6658 or 0131 348 6638 (Calls via RNID Typetalk welcome)
Textphone: 0845 301 0015

Fax: 0131 348 6639

Email: jobs@scottish.parliament.uk

Submitting your Application Form

Please make sure that you send your completed form (Parts A and B) and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form by the closing date stated in the job advert.

Postal Applications

Forms should be sent to the address above. If you would like us to acknowledge your application please write your name and address on the acknowledgement card sent to you in your application pack (if you have printed off a form yourself you can use a postcard) Put a stamp on it and send it to us with your completed application form. We will then post the card back to you. If you do not receive the card within 7 days please contact us using the numbers or addresses listed above.

Email Applications

On-screen Application Form can be emailed as an attachment to: jobs@scottish.parliament.uk All e-mails are automatically acknolwdged.  We will then send you formal acknowledgement after we have checked that your form contains the correct information. Please note that evidence of sending an e-mail does not automatically mean that we have received it.

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE OUR AUTOMATIC RESPONSE OR FORMAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WITHIN 2 WORKING DAYS OF SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION BY EMAIL, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY.

Disability

We guarantee to interview any disabled applicants who meet the essential requirements for the job they’ve applied for.  The essential requirements for this job are described under “Qualifications and Experience” and “Skills and Knowledge”.  This means that if you meet any qualification or experience criteria that we have set, and are assessed as providing “acceptable” evidence of the skills and qualities asked for we will automatically invite you to interview. 

If you have a disability and would like to talk to us about any aspects of this job please get in touch using the phone numbers or addresses listed above.

Short-listing

After the closing date, the selection panel assesses all of the Part Bs of the application forms received.  They do this by looking at the evidence that applicants have given us to show they have the skills and qualities we have asked for (see the section "Skills and Knowledge" in the full job information). Each application is given a score and a final short-list is agreed by the selection panel. This process normally takes 2-3 weeks from the closing date.

Interviews

If you are invited to interview we will try to give you at least 2 weeks’ notice. However, sometimes this period is shorter. The interview panel normally includes the manager of the post in question, and a member of staff from the Personnel Office.  They are the same people who assessed the application forms.  The person from the Personnel Office takes part to give advice and ensure that our procedures are followed. The questions that candidates are asked are competency based.  This means that they will be based on the same key skills that we listed under "Skills and Knowldge". Everyone who is interviewed is asked the same basic set of questions so that everyone gets a fair chance. The questions are designed to expand on your application and skills, and to show the us how you meet the essential requirements for the post.

Outcome of your Application

We will write to tell you the outcome of your application whether or not you are invited for interview.  If you have been interviewed we will normally write to tell you the result within 5 working days.

Suggestions

We want to make sure that every stage of our recruitment process is fair and properly thought out. We want all applicants to feel that they have been treated fairly, even if they are not appointed. If you have any comments or suggestions about the way in which this recruitment campaign has been handled, we would really like to hear from you.

Educational Qualifications or Professional Qualifications/Memberships

If the job advert said that educational qualifications professional qualifications or memberships were an essential requirement, please ensure that you possess them. You only need to tell us about the qualifications that we have specified as essential for the job.

Other qulifications equivalent to the ones we have asked for may be be acceptable.  An overseas qualification is acceptable if it is comparable with a United Kingdom qualification.  Please ask us if you are unsure.

Referees

Please do not send references or testimonials with your form. If you are successful, we will approach previous and/or current employers for a reference. We can only make a formal offer of employment once we have received these references. If you have no employment history we may approach any school, college or university you have attended.

Health Assessment and Security Clearance

If you are successful at interview you will be asked to complete a health assessment form. If necessary we may ask you to attend a medical assessment. Assessments are carried out by our occupational health supplier, normally in the Parliament building.  The reason why we carry out a health assessment is to make sure that the job you have applied for is suitable for you.  It is also to find out if we need to carry out any adjustments to help you do the job.

Security clearance is required for this post. If you are successful we will ask you to complete a security questionnaire.  This form will explain our security vetting policy. We can only make a formal offer of employment once the security clearance process is complete.

Immigration Control

Entry to the United Kingdom is controlled under the Immigration Act 1971. Everyone who does not have the right of abode is subject to immigration control. You should check whether there are any restrictions on your stay or your freedom to take or change employment before you apply for a post. If you are successful at interview we will ask you to provide documentation confirming that you are entiltled to work in the UK, under the terms of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.