Getting a job in the Public Sector

[Easy]

As many of you know, I have been immobilised for most of the last year, following a hip replacement that went wrong.

But now I'm just about back on my feet, and want to work. I used to be a freelance technical trainer, but can't go back to that (too much travelling, plus on your feet all day).

I have kept my tech skills up to date, and have book-keeping and admin skills from running my own business.

I thought a public sector job would be good, they seem to be a little more flexible, to fit around childcare etc.

I sent for an application pack for an IT position with our local council. When it came I didn't know how to start to fill it in (well except for the obvious bits). It asks for two referees (must be previous employers, I was my previous employer) and has a list of skills required for me to tick or mark with codes according to my level of expertise. Thing is I don't know what the HR people look for in the public sector. And should I mention my disability at initial application.

I work in the public sector and have had some involvement with recruitment and selection.

Firstly, in my organisation, there should be a separate slip where you would complete information about your disability and ethnic background - this would not be seen by those doing the shortlisting, but should be kept by HR.

The way to complete an application form for public sector is to think of evidence. You should have been sent a person specification and job description. The shortlisting criteria should be against how closely you match the person specification - therefore under 'additional information' or whatever tehy have called it on the form, you should list the ways in which you match the person specification - number it identically to the PS if necessary.

Also it is best to put something on the application about your understanding of working under an equal opportunities policy as they will be looking for evidence of this as well.

Lastly, you should indicate that you are interested in an interview under GIS - Guaranteed Interview Scheme . If you match the PS then they are obliged to interview you. Most public sector employers operate the GIS scheme.

Good Luck

easy, is there a council run job placement and training centre in your area? phone up the town hall if you are not sure. If there is one, then that's a good place to go for advice, even if you suspect the centre caters mostly for out of work teenagers.

Also, phone the town hall ask to be referred to someone in personnel. You don't have to give your name - say you are phoning on behalf of a friend or something. Explain the dilemna and, if I were you, tell them about the disability (there may be a specific advice centre for people with disabilities). Say that although you have a lot of experience in your chosen field, you could do with some public sector form-filling advice. I am sure the council will come up with something.

I used to work in the private sector and found public sector job application forms very tricky. They seemed to want so much information and used a different jargon to the one I was used to. I applied for one or two vacancies but had no luck. I then went to our 'local labour and business' centre. An advisor took me through the application form and I realised I had been making lots of wrong assumptions and mistakes ie the phrase 'do you have the ability to...' is different to the phrase 'do you have experience of...' I filled in a form according to their adivice, I got an interview and then the advisor gave me some great interview tips. I ended up getting the job.

Good luck

Ahhh, This is just the sort of advice I need. I knew someone on MN would be able to point me in the right direction

You're welcome - I forgot to say if you are not shortlisted or interviewed and not offered the position do contact the organisation and ask for feedback - most public sector employers will offer this quite happily, which may help if you apply again.

Also, in interview, if they operate an equal opportunities recruitment policy they will not be allowed to ask you questions that do not relate to the person specification and again they will be looking for your answers to provide evidence that you match - you may find you are repeating what you said on the application, but bear with them - they would not be allowed to ask such questions as "why should we give you this job rather than the other x people we have interviewed today" also they should not ask you about childcare - unless they would also ask a man!

Easy,

Good luck. Some parts of the public sector have to boost the number of disabled people on their books, so your disability shouldn't count against you in any way (think public sector is a bit more PC than private as well).

The money is not great, but job security is worth having these days, and things like maternity benefit are better - I got all my matl on full pay.

As well as local govt, why don't you try civil servics as well? Your local Job centre (or whatever they are called now) shd be able to help.

All the best

Blimey Tanzie, you must work for a great LA if they paid full mat pay. I thought mine was pretty good - 50% pay for 12 weeks on top of the SMP.

Cheers Tanzie,

Yes I thought about paying a visit to the jobcentre next week after Easter hols are over.

Pook- all Civil Service maternity pay is 6 months full pay. Are LA's different? Just assumed they'd be the same.