Shortlisting - How do we decide who to shortlist?

The decision to invite applicants to attend an interview is based entirely on what is written on the application form or in the application letter and CV. It is  important to give as much information as you can about yourself and about how your skills and experience relate to the job for which you are applying. A good application shows why you should be interviewed. You should also give your reasons for applying.

Interview arrangements

The department in which the post is based will normally (depending upon the post) be responsible for arranging the interview date and panel. If you have any queries about shortlisting and/or interview arrangements, then please contact the department directly.

Other forms of assessment

For some positions, applicants may also be expected to complete a test, make a presentation or undertake a case study. If this is the case, then you will be notified when you are contacted for interview.

The interview

If you have been selected for interview then you will be contacted by letter, telephone, or e-mail, normally within 8 weeks of the closing date. The composition of the selection panel will depend upon the post, but you will always be interviewed by more than one person.

At the interview, the panel will assess each applicant in relation to the position and to any selection criteria. Each applicant will be asked the same area of questions. At the end of the interview, the applicant will have the chance to ask questions. The selection panel will inform the applicant of when (s)he is likely to be notified of the outcome.

References

References are usually requested automatically for all shortlisted candidates, unless they have stated otherwise. You should provide at least one referee who can be approached prior to the interview stage. Your referees must be able to comment upon your past employment and your recent work performance in relation to the selection criteria. Your most recent, direct supervisor/line-manager should usually be nominated as one of your referees.

Post-interview stage

Once you have attended the interview, the department will inform you whether you have been successful.

If you have been successful, then you will normally receive a telephone call to confirm this. The offer of employment will then be confirmed in writing to you.

If you have been unsuccessful, then the department may confirm this either by telephone or in writing. This might not reflect your ability, but may be due to another applicant being better qualified at the time.

Feedback

You may request feedback either on your performance or on the deliberations made by the panel in making its decision. The chair of the interview panel, or the senior departmental panel member, should give feedback representative of the department in which the post is based.

Equal opportunities form

The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in its employment practices. The aim of the policy is to eliminate unlawful and unfair discrimination on any grounds, including gender, ethnicity, age, and disability. The answers that you provide will be treated in confidence, and will have no bearing upon the way that your application is considered. These answers will not be seen by those involved in shortlisting.