Help with your job application
You can apply online for all East Sussex County Council jobs.
You can start searching for job vacancies at the Council by using our 'job search' on the main jobs page.
(New job vacancies are usually published online every Monday. We generally advertise job vacancies for two weeks.)
Getting started
Once you've found a job that interests you in the search results, click on the ‘view job' logo to find more information about the job vacancy and start your application.
Each job vacancy listing has an ‘apply now' link to start your application process.
- Haven't applied for a job with us before? Enter your email address and create a password.
- Already applied online with us? Log in with your registered email address and password.
You can then access a job application form, job description and person specification for your chosen vacancy.
Do read the application pack
Before completing a Council job application, we strongly recommend that you read:
- the job description and person specification for each particular job (which you can get from each individual job vacancy page – see our 'job search' on the right hand side of this screen)
- our general jobs information pack.
You can then start to fill in your application form online.
Completing the application form
You will be asked to complete details including:
- full contact details
- education background
- employment history
- other relevant experience
- qualifications
- why you want to apply for the job?
- declarations (questions about your personal history on issues such as work permits, employment dismissals and criminal convictions)
- equal opportunities (we ask you to fill out an equal opportunities form as part of our Equal Opportunities Policy).
The ‘Why am I applying?' section
The ‘Why am I applying?' section is your opportunity to tell us how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification and job description. You need to demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience match those we require, and how they will help you to successfully do the job.
You can use the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification as headings in your application form. Give examples of your experience and skills under each heading.
After completing every section, you will be able to submit your application form. It may sound obvious, but be sure to proofread your application.
The form will then be saved and you can access it – along with other jobs you may have previously applied online for – anytime you log in.
If you then decide to apply online for another job at a later stage, the online application system will automatically complete the following sections from previous applications to save you time:
- full contact details
- education background
- employment history
- qualifications
- equal opportunities.
How do we decide who to interview?
Your completed online application form is an important part of our recruitment process. We look at the information you provide on your application form to see how it meets the job description and person specification. This then helps us decide who we want to interview (shortlist).
The Council is also a Disability Symbol (or Two Ticks) user. If you are a disabled person, this symbol lets you know:
- you will automatically be shortlisted for an interview if you meet the essential job criteria
- that we will make reasonable adjustments to make sure you are considered for the job on an equal basis with other people.
Life experience counts too
As well as skills you have gained from your past and present employment, you can include community and voluntary work, leisure interests and your home life.
Check you have shown how you meet all the essential and desirable requirements on the person specification. The shortlisting panel cannot guess or make assumptions about your work experience.
The Council's normal retirement age is 65. If you are older than, or within six months of 65, we will carefully consider the following when deciding if you are suitable for a job:
- the business needs of the Council service that is offering the job
- your health, welfare and safety
- the particular training requirements of the role.
If we think that the time taken for staff induction or training investment will outweigh the time you are likely to remain in employment, we may decide not to recruit you.
CVs
We do not accept CVs and ask all applicants to complete our online application form instead. This makes sure that information from job applicants is presented in a standard format, in line with our Equal Opportunities Policy.
The exception to this is candidates with a disability where a CV might be the most convenient method of application. Applications from disabled candidates will also be accepted in Braille, on cassette, or on the Council's large type application form.
For further help, please contact the Recruitment Support Team.
Enquiries
If you have any further queries, or are having difficulties applying online, please contact the Recruitment Support Team:
