Some useful tips when applying for one of our vacancies using our e-recruitment portal
We have designed this advice to help you, particularly if you do not have experience of filling in an online application. All of the information you give us when you apply is confidential.
We do not accept applications sent directly via email. We only accept applications through our e-recruitment portal.
If you have any difficulties applying online, please email HRSharedServices@ombudsman.org.uk.
Registering or logging on
You will need to register on our e-recruitment site if you haven't done so before. We will ask you for a valid email address and we will send all correspondence to the address you give us. You will only need to provide your email address once. After that you can log into your account.
Using the supporting information
Download and have a look at the relevant documents attached to the role you are interested in. It is important to read the advertisement and job profile carefully as these will tell you what skills, competencies, ability, knowledge and experience we are looking for.
Completing the form
The application form is divided into the following sections:
- Personal details
- Upload CV
- Upload supporting statement
- Other information
- References
- Equal opportunities form.
When you complete a section, a green tick will appear beside it. A red cross will show you any sections you still need to fill in.
Your CV
Your CV should be up to date. It should cover your employment history and include all your experience and qualifications. List your employment history in date order with the most recent first. Add any employment gaps that you may have had with the reasons.
Please attach your CV which must be in Word or PDF format. In total, it should be less than 512 KB and no more than two pages. Please make sure the file is not being used by any word-processor or other application while it is being uploaded. You should include any attachments in the one document.
Your supporting statement
The supporting statement is the most important part of your application. It is your chance to show how your skills and experience meet the criteria in the person specification.
There are two ways we may ask you to complete your supporting statement:
- Answer specific application questions – in which case your statement should address the questions asked in the information pack.
- Write a supporting statement covering the knowledge, skills and experience detailed in the person specification.
Here is an example:
Knowledge
- Good administrative practice
Skills
- IT literate, familiar with Word and Excel or similar office software packages
- Good standard of written and oral English
- Basic proof-reading
- Good team-working and interpersonal skills
- Flexibility
- Self-motivated and well-organised: able to work with little day-to-day supervision from line manager, organising own work to manage competing priorities
Experience
- Proven experience of providing excellent customer service
- Experience of working in an office support or administrative environment
- Demonstrable experience of using communication skills, both written and oral
- Proven experience of working effectively under pressure.
You would be required to cover all of the above points and provide evidence of how you have used the knowledge, skills, and experience.
Avoid writing things like "I use Microsoft packages on a day to day basis". You will be expected to state which packages you have used and how you have used them in your current or previous roles.
So you could write something like:
"I have used Word to produce letters and reports. I also use Excel to provide statistical reports for senior managers on a monthly basis. While my manager is on leave I manage their emails using Outlook and action anything that is urgent."
We use a scoresheet listing the criteria and score each candidate on how well they meet them.
It is a good idea to write your supporting statement in Microsoft Word or a similar package. Please make sure that you check your work for spellings and errors before uploading it.
Competencies
For some roles, you may be required to complete a competency based application form and you will need to say how you meet the requirements of the job by giving specific examples to the questions asked.
Saving and submitting your application
You can save your application, sign out and come back any time before the closing date. However, please make sure you always tick the 'save' button at the end of each section. When you have completed all the sections, you can submit your application. You will then get an email confirming that we have received it.
We are a Disability Confident organisation playing a role in changing attitudes for the better. We make sure that disabled people and people with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential in the workplace.