Application 

Each job vacancy advertised provides an overview of the position, called a Job Accountability Statement (JAS), the skills needed for the role are outlined in the Person Specification. Please note that we are unable to accept CVs instead of an online application (Unless you have specific medical reasons where the completion of our application form is not possible for you. In this case please contact the HR team who will discuss your application with you hr@cbhomes.org.uk). 

1. Click ‘Apply online’ below and complete the application form in full, ensuring that you indicate how you meet the criteria contained within the Person Specification.  

1. Once you have completed the application you will need to press ‘Submit.’  

1. Once you have set up a Username and password you can save sections of your application and return to it a later time. 

Only candidates shortlisted for the next stage of our selection process will be contacted. Successful candidates selected for interview will be informed within one month of the closing date. 

If you are an existing Colchester Borough Homes employee, please apply for any of our vacancies through MySelf which you can find on your Office 365 waffle. 

Job Accountability Statement and Person Specification  

All our job adverts have a link for further details. This shows the Job Accountability Statement and Person Specification. Look at this before you apply and make sure you tailor your application or CV to show how you meet the essential skills and qualification for the job. 

• The JAS explains the main responsibilities of the role, the person the role reports to, whether it involves managing other people and budgets, the location of the department / team and the salary details.  
• The Person Specification outlines the skills the successful candidate needs for each role. It is an important part of our shortlisting and assessment process. Think about what you can bring to the post from your own knowledge, 

Experience and skills  

This can include unpaid work at home or volunteering in the community. 

• Include details where you have supervised other people. 
• Ensure you complete the application by the stated closing date. This does not need to be completed in one go and can be saved as you go along. You may find it useful to keep a copy yourself. If you have completed successfully, you will receive an email notification. 
• If you are the successful candidate, a health questionnaire will need to be completed. 
• If you are not an existing Colchester Borough Homes employee, you will be asked to provide two referees. Please ensure that you provide one “employment” and one “other” referee. If you are not currently in employment, please give us details of your last employer. 
  

HINTS & TIPS 

Contact point on advert 

All our job adverts have a named contact. So, if you would like to chat about the role, you know who to get in touch with. 

Research 
Before submitting your application it is important that you feel that Colchester Borough Homes is the right employer for you. Have a look around our careers website and visit our main website. You may also like to check out our social media presence to get a better idea of who we are and what we do. 

Remember 
Your application form is the main source of information we will use to decide if we will offer you an interview. You need to show us that you meet all the essential criteria, so make sure that you clearly show how you meet each item. Sell your experience and knowledge, demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the role. We will compare applications to our person specification to decide who will be shortlisted for interview. 

Preparing for Interview 

• Our interview processes can vary but will typically involve either an in-person or virtual, panel interview (Usually with 2 interviewers. For some roles we may also carry out additional stages including practical assessment or virtual assessments.  
• Prepare as much as possible for the interview. This will provide you with confidence and ensure your experience will be a more positive one and will assist the panel to find the right person for the job. 

• Part of your interview will include some competency-based questions. These help us to assess your abilities against the essentials of the person specification. We will ask you to provide examples of how you meet these competencies. So again, remember to read the person specification before your interview and think carefully about how you meet these criteria. And the examples you use do not have to be all work-related.  
• Be prepared to share examples of how you have demonstrated knowledge and skills from your previous experience. These can be transferable skills from previous roles or education. 
• You may also find it helpful to check out our website, social media feeds and our vision, values, and behaviours. 
• If you are unsure how to dress for your interview, this link may be helpful Indeed.com 
• Please make sure you know where and when your interview will be held and plan your journey accordingly. It is important that you arrive on time so that we can carry out a full interview and enable you to shine. 

• Bring your right to work documentation, and any other documents requested in your interview invitation. 
• Prepare any questions you may want to ask at the interview and, if necessary, write these down. 
• Listen carefully to the questions being asked, if you do not understand, then do not be afraid to ask them to repeat the question 
• If you have been offered an interview, it means that you have already been successful at the first stage of the selection process and been selected from several applicants.  
• Most importantly, relax, be confident, enjoy and be yourself – we can’t wait to meet you. 

If you are invited to an interview and you have any reasonable adjustments, communication or sensory issues that you would like to discuss please email hr@cbhomes.org. We are happy to consider all reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

Signpost are a small voluntary organisation based above Greenstead Library, with over 25 years’ experience of helping people of all ages and backgrounds to get back to work or improve their digital skills. They are open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm.