No. Interview questions are about finding out whether you have the right skills for the job. Questions on religion may only be asked if they are relevant to the job.

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Q - Can I apply for a job on a job share basis?

Yes, all jobs with the Council are job sharable, unless they are made exempt at the point of advertising. If you wish to apply for a job on a shared basis, please indicate this during the recruitment process. An assessment will be made based on the operational needs of the service and the hours you have requested to work. The Council will consider positively and carefully all requests to work on a job share basis. Where requests are considered feasible, the Council will make two attempts to recruit a job share partner. Where we are unsuccessful, the Council will contact you again to discuss options.

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Q - Can I request flexible working hours?

Yes, you can request that your application is considered on a flexible working basis and the Council will carefully and positively consider your request. All requests made will be considered according to the needs of the business and where feasible, requests will be granted.

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Q - If I don't have the minimum level of experience required for a job, will it mean I can't apply?

Each job is advertised with a person specification, which outlines the minimum criteria that you must have in order to be considered for the post. All candidates are scored against this person specification and how well they are able to demonstrate their abilities in relation to the required qualities. If you do not meet the minimum requirements as outlined in a person specification, it does not mean that you cannot apply, but your chances of being short-listed for interview are significantly reduced. When considering applying for any job, always give careful thought to how you meet the requirements sought.

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Q - How do I know I will be treated farily during the recruitment process?

The Council has a number of written policies and statements which ensure that it does not discriminate against any individual during recruitment. In addition, we aim to ensure that all managers have received recruitment and selection training, which covers equality and diversity issues.

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Q - Will reasonable adjustments be made as part of the interview process?

Yes, where you make your disability or condition know at the point of application, you will be asked about the specific adjustments which you require. This may relate to issues of access, or may require you to have additional time during an interview or any testing used as part of the application process. The Council will ensure that all reasonable adjustments are made on the day of your interview.

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Q - I have a disability, will the Council make adjustments to a job for me?

The Council will consider all requests to make reasonable adjustments to a specific role, as part of the recruitment process. Should you wish to apply for a position with the Council and think that a reasonable adjustment may be required, contact the recruitment team. They will arrange for you to speak to a member of staff, independent of the recruitment process, who will discuss with you the specific changes needed to the job. They will liaise with the service manager on your behalf and an assessment will be made on whether the Council can make the reasonable adjustments required. Decisions will be based on business need and all requests will be positively and carefully considered.

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Q - I require information in a different format, what should I do?

If you require information in an alternative format; or if you require a translation, please contact the recruitment team on the helpline number. They will ensure that you receive information in your preferred format.

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Q - I don't think I have been treated fairly during the recruitment process; what will happen if I make a complaint?

The Council has a written policy which outlines the process taken when an applicant feels that they have been unfairly discriminated against. If you feel that you have a complaint, contact the recruitment team in the first instance. They will pass your complaint onto a senior member of staff who will take responsibility for the complaint. You will receive a questionnaire to complete and should provide as much detail as possible on the nature of your complaint. The nominated senior manager will carry out a full investigation into your complaint and a written report will be produced. You will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible. If your complaint is upheld, there are a number of options which the Council can take to ensure that any error is rectified.

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Q - Why does the Council monitor equality information and what does it do with the information?

The monitoring information which you are asked for when you complete an application form is used to help the Council measure its performance. It is not used as part of the recruitment process. Once application forms are received, the HR recruitment team remove all ethnic monitoring forms before passing the application forms on for assessment. The data will then be analysed to see whether the Council is attracting applications from a diverse section of the population and to ensure that it is operating fairly. Where evidence shows that we might not be operating fairly, we will identify specific actions to help remedy any shortfalls.

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Q – If I declare

Q - If I declare a disability or a long-term health problem, will it lessen my chances of obtaining employment?

Not at all. All jobs that the Council advertises are recruited to in open and fair competition and appointments are based on merit and suitability for the post. Declaring a disability at the application stage will help us to ensure that we make any reasonable adjustments necessary, both during the interview, and to the job concerned.

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Q - What is the guaranteed interview scheme and how does it work?

The guaranteed interview scheme has been developed for disabled candidates, or those with a long-term impairment or ill-health condition, which means that they cannot meet all of the job requirements. In these instances, the individual will be offered a guaranteed interview if they meet the minimum requirements of the job or if the minimum requirements could be met if reasonable adjustments to premises, working practices or equipment were made. If you think you may be eligible for a guaranteed interview, please contact the HR recruitment team on the recruitment helpline or fill in the relevant section on the application form.

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Q - I am a lone parent and would like to return to work, can the Council help me find childcare?

If you would like to return to work and need advice and guidance on suitable childcare, the Children's Information Service can help. The service is free, impartial and confidential and will ensure that you receive helpful advice and guidance.

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Q - Will I get help with childcare costs?

You might be eligible for help with your childcare costs. There are a number of Government schemes which you may be able to access for financial support; including Working Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits. You may also be able to access help through the New Deal Scheme. In addition, the Council operates a childcare voucher scheme for its employees, which enables you to sacrifice part of your salary in exchange for childcare vouchers. If your household income is less that £25,400 and you use registered childcare, you may also be entitled to a childcare subsidy, of up to 75% of the cost of your childcare, depending on your circumstances. The scheme is open to all Council employees and provides support for pre-school to children aged 11 years.

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Q - I am currently pregnant; can I still apply for a job with the Council?

Yes, the Council's recruitment processes are based on merit and therefore you have the same chances of success as every other candidate. If you would like to discuss any specific concerns you have about your pregnancy in relation to the recruitment process, contract the recruitment team.

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Q - Will I have to disclose a criminal record?

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 was introduced to ensure that ex-offenders who have not re-offended for a period of time since conviction are not discriminated against. However, in order to protect certain members of the community, some posts will be exempted, and criminal records will have to be disclosed. Posts that are exempt cover those working with children, young people, disabled people, the elderly, those who misuse drugs/alcohols and those who are chronically ill. Criminal records will only be taken into account during the recruitment process if they are relevant to the post applied for.

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Q - I struggle completing an application form, can I get any help?

All application packs include guidance on completing the form and should give you some helpful information and advice. However, if there are specific reasons why you might struggle with completing an application form, for example, if you have dyslexia, you should make a request for reasonable adjustments to be made. Contact the recruitment helpline for more information.

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Q - I have a relative/partner who works for the Council, does that mean I can't apply for a job?

If the position you are applying for has a direct relationship with a relative or partner, for example is a subordinate post to the one held by the person known to you, you will not be able to apply for the position. However, if there is no connection, you are entitled to apply to the post.

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Q - Can I resubmit an application form which I have previously sent to the Council?

There is no reason why you cannot resubmit a previous application form. However, you must ensure that your personal statement reflects the criteria we are seeking, as outlined in the person specification. The danger of resubmitting a previously used application form is that you are not adequately addressing the qualities we are seeking in the person specification and therefore may not be presenting yourself to the best of your ability. Before submitting any application form ensure that to read it carefully and have addressed the criteria as outlined in the person specification.

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Q - Do application forms have to be hand written?

No, application forms can by typed or word-processed. However, if you prefer to hand write your application form, you can do so.

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Q - I am a mature worker, can I still apply for a position with the Council?

The Council has a retirement age of 75 and therefore any individual below this age is entitled to apply. The Council operates an open and fair recruitment policy and all appointments are based on merit.

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Contact Details

Jane Crawley, Recruitment Manager.

Tel: 024 7683 2145

Postal Address:

HR Recruitment Team
Coventry City Council
Room 107
1st Floor, Civic Centre 2
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RU

e-mail: jane.crawley@coventry.gov.uk

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