To apply for a job with Cornwall Council you must complete our application form. This means information is received in a consistent way, helping ensure that applicants are treated equally and fairly.
Where possible, we ask that applicants apply online. If you need our application pack in a different format, please call us on 01872 323800 or email careers@cornwall.gov.uk
Your application should answer all the questions asked. You will be asked to complete a work history and qualification section or you can upload a CV to the end of your application. If you complete the work history and qualifications sections, this information will remain on your profile for any future applications. If you prefer to attach a CV instead, please remember to tailor it to the role you are applying for.
You will also need to upload a supporting statement. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had.
Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.
The STAR approach
A helpful approach to completing your application is to use the STAR model, which helps you build relevant examples in a structured way.
- Situation - Set the scene. Describe the situation or problem. Make it relevant to the Role Profile.
- Task - Outline the task required to solve the issue or problem.
- Action - Describe what you actually did. How and when you did it, the rationale for the choices you took and the key things that you did to overcome the issue or problem.
- Result - What the outcome was and the difference it made.
The Role Profile
Adverts on our website will contain a link to a document called the Role Profile.
The first few sections of the role profile explain the job and expectations. The questions asked in your application refer to the “behaviours”, “knowledge, skills and experience” section. This explains the type of person we are looking for and it is very important that you cover these areas in your supporting statement and CV or work history with as much detail as possible.
How do we decide who to interview?
The final table on the role profile shows at which stage of the recruitment and selection process each competency is assessed. For example application, interview and/or assessment.
The shortlisting panel will score how well you have demonstrated that you meet the competencies assessed at the application stage. This is why your supporting documents are so important.
Disability Confident Standard
As part of the disability employment policy the Council is committed to the Disability Confident standard. Part of the commitment is in relation to recruitment for job applicants who consider themselves to have a disability. An applicant should indicate on the application form that they wish to be considered under this scheme. If they have also demonstrated on their application that they meet the minimum criteria, they will be invited to attend an interview.
Reasonable adjustments – what support can I request?
- Application stage - we are a Disability Confident employer. As part of this scheme, applicants will be asked to declare if they have a disability. This allows us to make any reasonable adjustments. Also, we can fulfil our commitment to offer an interview to those applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Reasonable adjustments could include the way an application, interview or test takes place. Support can be requested via careers@cornwall.gov.uk.
- Interview stage - when invited to interview, candidates will be asked if they need any adjustment to support attendance. This could include measures such as:
- ensuring the interview room is accessible for a wheelchair user.
- allowing a person with dyslexia additional time during a test or
- allowing a person with autism to be accompanied or to have more time when answering interview questions.
- Starting employment - for employment into a job vacancy, the first steps are:
- for the employee and the hiring manager to identify which parts of the role the applicant needs help with.
- Support can be requested via the line manager or careers@cornwall.gov.uk .
- Also, we work with Access to Work in relation to making reasonable adjustments. Go to the Access to Work website for more examples of the types of adjustments which they fund.
For Adults with Learning Disabilities and/ or Autism, our Proper Job Advisors can provide support with preparing for work and during the application process. You can find our more information on Proper Proper Job or contact them by email properjob@cornwall.gov.uk
Behavioural competencies
The behavioural competencies describe what we want our employees to show when performing the role. These form part of our employees’ performance management and development system.
Example competency: “Focusing on customers”
Instead of writing “Throughout my work I have always ensured I put the customers’ needs first” you should use the STAR approach:
“In my current role I receive queries by telephone from customers about their invoices. I received a call from a customer who was angry that she was charged twice for an item. I listened until she had explained everything that she felt was important. I then asked questions to get the information I needed. I calmly explained that I would investigate this and get back to her ASAP. Unfortunately, I found this could not be resolved easily and needed to be escalated. As I realised it would take 2-3 days for our escalation team to investigate, I phoned her. I explained why I was escalating the case and who she could contact if she had any queries in the meantime. I asked her if there was anything else I could help with. The customer seemed pleased with my efforts thanked me for getting back to her so quickly.”
Functional competencies
Functional competencies are specific to the role for which you are applying.
Example competency: “Knowledge and understanding of computerised database systems in order to input data, edit records and extract information (produce reports).”
Instead of writing “I have experience of working with databases, mainly Microsoft Access”, you should use the STAR approach:
"In my previous role as Administrative Assistant, I used Microsoft Access on a daily basis to manage our pool cars. I created new records when we had a new employee/car, edited information such as the car MOT due date and ‘booked out’ the car to an employee when requested. I then produced monthly management reports on how many cars had been booked and by whom."
