Hints and tips
make the best of your application
Your application form is a vital tool for us when we are assessing your suitability for the role.
How to make the best of your application
We have designed this guide with you in mind. So, before you start filling in your application, please read this section. Your application form is a vital tool for us when we are assessing your suitability for the role. So, take the time to consider the information you have and how you can best illustrate your knowledge and experience to show you would be the best person for the job.
Here are a few common questions answered along with basic points that can be easily overlooked:
- Fill out each part of the form as fully as possible.
- Look through the job specification and take the time to address each and every point on there.
- For each of the criteria, explain how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. You could give examples in the ‘Additional information’ section. Take care to provide a clear and full account. And remember you can provide examples from outside work if they are relevant.
- Check through your completed form for accuracy and clarity before submitting it.
What is involved in the short listing process?
We match the information in your application form against the relevant criteria in the job specification to decide if you should be short listed. It is worth noting that we can only consider what is clearly stated on the form - we can’t make any assumptions.
What should I use to fill in my form?
As your form will be photocopied, please write clearly using black ink or black typescript.
What should I do if a section isn’t relevant to me?
Simply indicate that it is not applicable by writing ‘N/A’.
Do you accept CVs instead of the application form?
No, we only accept the official application form. We can’t accept CVs – even as an accompaniment to your application form.
What if I need more space for any of my answers?
If you need more room for any questions, use the ‘Continuation sheet’. Do not alter the form setup to create additional space, resulting in additional pages to the final document. You may, however, alter the free text font size, but keep in mind that this should remain at a size that is easy to read by the recruiting panel.
How do I submit my form?
Mail it to The ICO, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. Or you may prefer to email it to: recruitment@ico.gsi.gov.uk, or ring our HR Team for our fax number.
Are there any other ways to submit my form?
If you are disabled and need to submit your application in an alternative format, please contact a member of our HR Team on 01625 545 341.
The application form, page by page
Page 1
This is removed before we assess your form and is seen only by HR.
Vacancy details
Please give the name of the vacancy and job reference (found on the job advert) and specify exactly where you learnt of the vacancy. Please refer to a specific publication such as ‘Manchester Evening News’, rather than ‘Newspaper’, or a specific website rather than just ‘Internet’.
Personal details
Please provide full and accurate contact details. Our HR Team will need to contact you during normal office hours, so provide as many contact points as you can.
Health
This provides background information which helps inform occupational health assessment requirements if you are offered the job. If you have not had any absence, simply put ‘0’ in the ‘No. of absence’ box, rather than leaving it blank.
Declaration
It is important that you read and sign this declaration. If you submit your form via email, please type in your name and the date.
Page 2
This is removed before we assess your form and is only used by HR.
Equal opportunities
The ICO is committed to ensuring that all applicants receive fair treatment irrespective of their gender, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, national origin, sexuality, religion, marital status or other factors that are not relevant to the performance of the job for which they have applied. Personal information regarding gender, ethnic origin and disability is requested for monitoring our equal opportunities policy. Information relating to age will also be monitored for equal opportunities purposes.
Gender
Please complete this box as appropriate. If you are transgender you should tick the box which you feel is most appropriate for you.
Disability
Under the Disability Discrimination Act employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments where, compared to a non-disabled person, a disabled person is substantially disadvantaged by either the work arrangement (which includes the recruitment process) or the working environment.
As the duty to make reasonable adjustment won’t apply unless we know that you are disabled, it is important to complete this section if you regard yourself as being disabled.
The Act defines a disabled person as anyone who has, or has had, a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Further information about this can be found on the website of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Ethnic origin
Ethnic origin is not necessarily your nationality, place of birth or citizenship, it is based on colour and broad ethnic group. The ethnic origin categories are those recommended by the Commission for Racial Equality.
Page 3
Education and qualifications
Please provide details of your relevant qualifications, particularly those listed as essential in the job specification/advert. You should also provide details of relevant training courses you have attended and/or professional bodies of which you are a member.
Page 4
Employment history
Please provide details of your current or most recent employment. Highlight your duties and responsibilities, skills you employed and how they may be relevant to your application.
Page 5
Previous employment
Please give an account of any other employment you have had. List in date order, starting with the most recent, and include any work experience or part-time, temporary, unpaid or voluntary work. Please also confirm any gaps and the reason for them. If specific experience gained during any of this employment supports your application, include it in the ‘Additional information’ section.
Page 6
Additional information
Use this section to demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role as detailed in the job specification. It is important that you address each of the criteria, explaining how your knowledge, skills and experience match them – giving examples if possible. You should also explain why you are interested in the position.
Page 7
Continuation sheet
This sheet can be used to continue any sections from pages 3 - 6. If you use this page, please indicate clearly which section the information is continued from.
Page 8
References
Please provide the contact details of two referees (as mentioned above). We may also request additional references if necessary.
