Our Approach to Recruitment

When it comes to recruitment, it’s about making sure that we’re right for each other.

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Our approach

When it comes to recruitment, it’s about making sure that we’re right for each other. That it’s the job you want, that it’s right for you and you’re right for it. So we don’t just look at, say, your technical ability or qualifications – important as they are. We look at you, your personality and how you’ll get on in the job.

Once you’ve found the job you’re keen to apply for, you’ll need to complete our online application form. For most roles, you can choose to apply by CV and supporting statement or by application. You simply choose either option halfway down the form. If you don’t have access to a computer or smart device, you can access one at any of our libraries. Alternatively, just get in touch with the recruitment team and they’ll do their best to help.

We’re committed to having a fair and robust recruitment process. Two different people score each application, and at least one person on the interview panel will have had training on recruitment and selection. Our recruitment and selection training covers equal opportunities so managers are aware of this when shortlisting and interviewing.

Recruiting using People Attributes

So we can bring out the best in you, the majority of our jobs will use our People Attributes to recruit. If you’re shortlisted, we’ll let you know which People Attributes apply to the job. Then, when you come for interview, we’ll ask you to describe examples of when you’ve demonstrated the attributes.

Our Somerset People Attributes

Self Belief

Self Awareness and self-management

Drive for improvement

Personal integrity and role modelling

Seizing the future

Intellectual Flexibility

Understanding the business

Drive for results

Leading change through people

Holding to account

Empowering others

Working effectively with others

Our recruitment process

1 - Online application

Once you’ve found a job you want to apply for, you’ll need to fill in our online application form. If you can’t complete your application in one go, don’t worry. You can save it and we’ll email you a link and password so that you can pick it back up at a later date. Remember, all our job adverts are open until midnight on the closing day.

2 - After applying

Once you’ve applied online, we’ll email you to let you know we’ve received your application.

3 - Review and shortlisting

The hiring manager will be the first person to go through your application form. They’ll review it against the essential and desirable criteria for the job. Our recruitment team will then email you to let you know if you’ve been successful. We aim to do this within two weeks of the closing date for applications.

4 - Selection process

We use a variety of assessment methods, depending on the job we’re recruiting for. These include interview, assessment centre, presentations and tests, as well as online scenario tests.

5 - Offer

After your interview, you’ll receive a phone call from the interview panel. They’ll give you their feedback and, importantly, let you know their decisions and make any verbal offers of employment (conditional to checks).

6 - Checks

Once you’ve been verbally offered a job, our recruitment team will be in touch to tell you about the next steps – and to let you know that they’ll be carrying out their pre-employment checks. Once they’ve done these, they’ll email you a formal offer letter and your new manager will be in touch to agree your start date.

Hints and tips

Person specification

All of our job adverts have a downloadable job pack. This details the essential skills and qualifications for the job. Take a look at this before you apply and make sure you tailor your application or CV to show how you meet these.

Applying by CV

If you choose to apply by CV, please make sure that your CV shows your full employment history, explains any gaps in employment and shows how you meet the job requirements. You can also upload a supporting statement to support your application.

Preparing for selection process

Part of your interview will (usually) include some competency-based questions. These help us to assess your abilities against the essentials of the person specification. We’ll ask you to provide examples of how you meet these competencies. So again, remember to read the person specification again before your interview and think carefully about how you meet these criteria. And the examples you use don’t have to be all work-related. You may also find it helpful to check out our stories, job family pages and social media feeds.

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Our Approach to Recruitment

Our approach

Recruiting using People Attributes

Our Somerset People Attributes