How to apply

The deadline for applications is 23:30 (11:30pm) on the closing date provided on the job advert. Applications cannot be accepted after this deadline.

We recommend you use the following to complete your application:

• PC - Windows 7 or higher using Internet Explorer 11, Firefox V66 or Chrome V74 (or higher browser version)
• Apple Mac - OS X Safari 12.1 (or higher)
• iPad - iOS Safari 12 (or higher).

For technical enquiries relating to the online application system, please email helpdesk@herts.ac.uk.

To apply for a role at Herts you first need to register for an account on our job application portal, using your full name and a valid email address. You can do that here.

If you’ve previously applied for a job with us, you may already have an account, and you can reset your password if you need to.

Please complete the online application form as fully as possible and fill in all the required information. Use our handy checklist within the application portal to check which sections you need to complete.

Each application you make will take around 30 minutes to complete, but you can save your progress and return to your application later.

Tips for your personal statement

The personal statement section of the application form offers you the opportunity to demonstrate why you think you’re right for the role. Pay particular attention to the job description and person specification in the job advert when completing the personal statement section and:

• give full reasons as to why you feel you are suitable for the post
• state how your skills, previous experience, qualifications and training are relevant to the post
• indicate and provide evidence on how you meet the criteria specified in the person specification.

Applicants will be shortlisted based on the information provided in the online application form, so it is important that you provide as much detail as possible.

Attaching supporting documents

You are able to upload additional documents to support your application, such as your CV or a personal statement. However as we operate an anonymous shortlisting process, please remove any personal identifying information about yourself from your CV, or any other documentation you provide alongside your application.

Ensure accuracy of information

It’s important that you provide accurate information in your application. Providing incorrect information or deliberately omitting relevant facts on the application form could result in either disqualification from the selection process or, where the discovery is made after appointment, in dismissal.

Once your application is submitted, you will not be able to edit or update the information provided.

We’d also recommend that you print or save a copy of the job advert and job description for your records before the application deadline, as copies of the job advert and job description will not be available online after the closing date.

Once applications have closed, a shortlisting panel will review all of the applications, which will be assessed based on how well they meet the knowledge, skills and attributes required for the role (which are set out in the job description).

All of the criteria will be applied uniformly to each application, and a record of the process is kept.

At Herts, we operate an anonymous shortlisting process, which removes any personal identifying information about each candidate from the application form. This process ensures that the first impression of a candidate is based on their academic / professional experience and skills rather than their age, ethnicity, nationality or gender, so we can assess all applicants fairly and consistently.

The panel will then meet to identify which applicants best meet the requirements of the post, who will be invited to the next stage of the recruitment process. Only candidates who meet all of the essential criteria for the role will be eligible for shortlisting.

If you are shortlisted, we will contact you by email or phone to arrange an interview time. Any correspondence from the University is likely to be by email, so please check your account on a regular basis and remember to check your junk email folder too.

Due to the large number of applications, we receive for each vacancy, we will only be able to contact you if you have been successful in your application. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date you will unfortunately not have been shortlisted for the post. You are welcome to apply for further vacancies when these are advertised.

Your interview will be conducted by a panel, which will include the line manager for the role. The interview panel will ask a series of set questions relating to the job description criteria, where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, experience and competence.

You may also be required to complete a skills-based test as part of the interview stage, which will be used to assess relevant skills. This might include tasks such as preparing a presentation, completing a writing test or a psychometric test.

Please remember that the interview is also your opportunity to ask any questions about the role or the University, and we welcome your questions at the end of the interview session.

Please note: The University only pays interview expenses in exceptional circumstances – these must be authorised in advance by the Director of HR.

Offers of appointment are generally made verbally by the recruiting manager (usually via a phone call) following the interview.

Offers are conditional on the pre-employment checks of two satisfactory references, occupational health clearance, evidence of any required qualifications and right to work in the UK as a minimum. Offers may also require a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check and / or Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance. Please be aware that offers may be withdrawn where any of these pre-employment checks cannot be completed.

Please note: The University only pays relocation expenses in exceptional circumstances – these must be authorised in advance by the Director of HR.