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Original poster

Local Authority job offer process

16 replies

Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 13:45

I've been offered a job for the local government. They said it would go quiet for a few days while they organise my offer letter.

Is anyone here a hiring manager for the local government?

Is the candidate sent any forms to complete re: previous roles and referees?

My application was extremely vague. I wasn't asked for historic work history (just most recent) or referees.

It was all competency test and interview based. I scored very well. I also need a DBS...

OP posts:
Quveas · 14/06/2023 15:28

I'm surprised they didn't ask for either of these things, but they will definitely need referees. Once a provisonal offer is made and accepted, our HR department usually take over, and the process depends on the postition, but it usually takes about 3-4 weeks (occasionally faster) if it is straightforward, but in your case the DBS is likley to mean it will be longer. Also it may need occupational health referral if there are any highlighted issues from a health questionaire. We would normally send out an offer subject to various things being ok, and the letter will include that information.

Pencilsaremylife · 14/06/2023 15:41

If it’s anything like our local authority it’ll take forever. They are keen on people moving within the organisation and even that takes months. I found it very hard to believe how useless the HR Dept is. I interviewed with them 5 years ago, as an external candidate, got offered the job “ unofficially” was given a start date but still nothing official from HR. I contacted them and said I wasn’t handing in my notice at my current job until I had proper paperwork, they said they were so far behind that they couldn’t get everything done in time, in the end I got a very casual emailed attachment saying I did actually have the job. I trusted them and handed in my notice, I actually got all the paperwork completed once I was in post. Once in the organisation I realised this was how it always was and nothing has changed over the last 5 years.

Original poster
Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 15:45

I am surprised they didn't take referees first too. I keep thinking back to the form and I'm absolutely sure I wasn't asked.

I can see what I submitted and it definitely isn't in there.

I know it'll take forever and that's alright - so long as I haven't made a mistake along the way! (I worry about this stuff!)

OP posts:
Ihatesponges · 14/06/2023 16:57

Wondering exactly the same! Wasn't asked for references straight away either :)

SausageMonkey2 · 14/06/2023 16:58

it takes a billion years even from a hiring managers position. I have no idea what HR do.

Original poster
Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 19:26

Was also wondering when in the process do they confirm how much you'll get paid?

🤔 it's a bit of a shit show in terms of organisation so far 😂

OP posts:
Quveas · 14/06/2023 19:31

Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 19:26

Was also wondering when in the process do they confirm how much you'll get paid?

🤔 it's a bit of a shit show in terms of organisation so far 😂

Unless there is substantial reason, you will be paid at the lowest point of the grade. You should get an incremental pay rise up the grade on 1st April or after six months, whichever is the longer period, any then further ones annually until you reach the to of the grade. Your starting point should be in the offer letter.

Original poster
Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 19:34

Thanks @Quveas , just have to wait for the offer letter I guess. Still worried about these missing references but I'm sure it'll be fine. They'll ask!

OP posts:
Louisetopaz21 · 14/06/2023 19:48

I am an hiring manager but we do all the after checks such as requesting references, right to work in the UK and Dbs. Depending on how quick the dbs and references come back can vary but the quickest I managed to do the recruitment checks was a week and the longest was 3 months

Original poster
Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 19:56

Louisetopaz21 · 14/06/2023 19:48

I am an hiring manager but we do all the after checks such as requesting references, right to work in the UK and Dbs. Depending on how quick the dbs and references come back can vary but the quickest I managed to do the recruitment checks was a week and the longest was 3 months

Thank you! Are references requested at application stage? I don't remember filling out this information via Taleo.

OP posts:
Louisetopaz21 · 14/06/2023 19:57

Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 19:56

Thank you! Are references requested at application stage? I don't remember filling out this information via Taleo.

Show quote history

You usually list your referees on your job application. I usually request them asap as they can take ages even with prompts.

Original poster
Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 20:00

Louisetopaz21 · 14/06/2023 19:57

You usually list your referees on your job application. I usually request them asap as they can take ages even with prompts.

Show quote history

Oh no!! I wonder what I wrote down. I can see my job submission and they aren't detailed on there either. I'm really worried now

OP posts:
Original poster
Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 20:01

What should I do? @Louisetopaz21 I don't have any contract details for the hiring manager. My offer was just via phone.

OP posts:
Louisetopaz21 · 14/06/2023 20:03

Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 20:01

What should I do? @Louisetopaz21 I don't have any contract details for the hiring manager. My offer was just via phone.

If you know what team it is there should be a phone number if you ring customer services and speak to the manager

Original poster
Mushroomsareevil · 14/06/2023 20:40

Panic over. Definitely wasn't asked for references. I guess some LAs are different than others!

OP posts:
BelindaBears · 14/06/2023 20:43

The pay scale will have been on the job advert and as a pp says you’d normally start on the bottom of the scale. I’ve always been asked for references as part of the application process but haven’t applied for anything that needed a DBS so perhaps it’s different.

I haven’t found things as slow as some have, when people want things to move quickly they can.

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