Recruitment process

All of our applications are processed via NHS Jobs; this ensures that everyone gives information in the same format and allows us to assess your application in a standard way. We will not take into account any previous applications that you have sent us or anything we already know about you.

Once you have searched our vacancies and found a job you would like to apply for, read all the guidance on this page carefully. When shortlisting candidates, we use the job description and person specification to check for the relevant skills, abilities and experience required for the role. Any applicants who meet the criteria on the person specification will be the ones that are shortlisted for interview so please ensure you give examples and explanations of your work experience where possible.

When shortlisting, a recruiting manager will not be able to see any personal information (name, address, DOB) so even if you’re an internal candidate, remember to demonstrate all relevant skills in your employment history and supporting information as the person shortlisting can only evidence your experience based on what you write in these sections.

If you wish to apply for more than one position, amend your application to evidence how you meet that particular person specification – never submit the same application form twice.

Your application form is the first impression you’ll make on the recruiting managers so make sure you double check your spelling and grammar before you submit.

Your supporting information is your chance to mention anything that hasn’t been included in the rest of your application so use this as an opportunity to sell yourself. Demonstrate how you meet the person specification and why you’re the right person for the role.

If you are shortlisted for a role, you will receive an invite to interview via NHS Jobs which will include details of the venue, interview panel and any additional tests to be completed on the day. You will need to follow the instructions on the email to book your interview via NHS Jobs.

Most interviews will include an assessment to measure your abilities. This could be a written assessment, a presentation or a practical test depending on the role. All nursing roles will require a written test to be completed to assess a candidate’s sense of compassion and knowledge of drug calculations. Healthcare Assistants and Maternity Support Workers will be required to complete a test to assess basic maths, literacy and compassion. If you are invited to interview, you will be told what you will be expected to do so you can prepare.

You will have read the job description and person specification when you applied online for the post.  The criteria (e.g. skills and behaviours) in those documents are what you will be assessed against during your assessment and interview; therefore, you may find it helpful to review them and consider how you have demonstrated the skills and behaviours outlined.  This may have been in the workplace or outside of work. You may wish to plan for possible questions and prepare examples that are relevant to the role and evidence your skills and experience.

First impressions count – plan your outfit the day before and ensure you look smart.

It shows when a candidate has done their homework – do your research to find out as much as possible about the role, what the department gets up to and what goes on at the Trust. Be aware of current issues relevant to the job or at the Trust by checking Trust website.

Plan your journey - the Royal Surrey is spread over a large site so make sure you know where your interview is and leave plenty of time to get here and extra time if you need to park! We have other sites so please double check where your interview will be based.

Ask questions - interviews are a good opportunity for you to find out whether a job is right for you so think of some questions to ask the panel. This will also help to show your interest in the role.

Please bring photo identification with you, such as passport or driving licence (the original). Without the original documents you may not be able to participate, so please have them ready. You may also wish to bring other identification such as a bank statement, birth certificate, utility bill so that you don’t need to bring these in at a later date if you are successful – we’ll need three forms of ID in total. We’ll also need your original university certificates and/or proof of professional registration where applicable. If you know you’ll be completing an assessment, please bring pens and a calculator for use during a numeracy assessment.

Whether you are successful or not, you will receive a call or email to let you know the outcome. If you are not successful this will be your opportunity to ask for feedback.

If you are successful you will receive an offer letter via email which will inform you of what will happen next and what is required of you. You will be issued with a start date based on what you have agreed with the interview panel or by the notice period you have provided. The offer is subject to the required pre-employment checks (these will be confirmed in the email) and we’ll need all checks completed before your start date so this is your opportunity to make us aware of any delays that may occur. If we do not receive all checks by your start date, the Trust reserves the right to withdraw the offer or delay your start date. You will need to respond within 48 hours, either by email or by accepting on NHS Jobs.

Once we receive your acceptance, we can process your pre-employment checks.

As part of the recruitment process we will need to complete a number of employment checks as follows:

• Occupational health: you will receive a link to complete an occupational health questionnaire. Once our Occupational Health team have received your form, they will either clear you fit to work or contact you to book an appointment with them. This will depend on which job role you have applied for and your vaccination history. Don’t worry if you don’t have your medical records – if you are missing anything that is required for the role, they will ask you to have blood tests and possibly vaccination updates so they can pass you as fit to start at the Trust
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks: depending on the role, you may be required to undertake a DBS check. You will have already had an opportunity to declare any convictions, cautions etc. at application and interview stage. Full details will be in your offer letter
• References: we require a minimum of two references to cover the last three years of employment or education. References will only be requested with your consent and only once we have made you a conditional offer after interview. Please ensure you put the correct details on your application form with professional email address for your referees
• Right to work /ID checks: you will need to provide three forms of ID, including proof of your right to work in the UK.  Your Resourcing Officer will advise which documents are required but generally one photo ID and two proofs of address (or vice versa) is OK, e.g. a passport and two household bills. For right to work in the UK we will need your UK/EU passport, UK birth certificate or Biometric Residence Permit
• Professional registration/qualifications: certain posts require applicants to be registered with a professional body or to have achieved a particular qualification.  If this applies to the role, please ensure the details are on your application and you bring evidence to your interview so that we can check this.

Once all employment checks have been returned and are compliant, we can confirm your start date and email over your contract and other documents which will need to be completed and returned to the resourcing team on your first day. We will also book you onto our next available corporate induction and email over full details of where and when this will be.

If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact our Resourcing Team on 01483 571 122 ext 2712.

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