Guidance Notes - Check that you have received all materials as listed in the accompanying letter. Please contact the Human Resources Administrator on 0114 290 0345 immediately if anything is missing.
- A separate application form must be completed for each post you wish to apply for.
- Please do not send your CV or references from previous employment unless specifically requested. These cannot be considered as part of your application.
- The section of the form for monitoring will be detached prior to shortlisting. The section is voluntary but the information given is used to monitor the effectiveness of our Diversity Policy.
- Make sure your application reaches the Association by the stated closing date. Put the correct postage on your envelope to ensure that it is delivered on time.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date. It is not possible to notify all applicants of the outcome of their application. If you wish to discuss the reasons why your application was not shortlisted please contact the Association AFTER the date given for interview.
- SYHA will pay interview travel expenses to any applicant on request. These will be reimbursed on production of receipts. Please request an application form at your interview.
- Please return your completed application form to:
Human Resources Department
South Yorkshire Housing Association
43-47 Wellington Street
SHEFFIELD
S1 4HF
Filling in the Application Form
Before filling in your application form please read through the Job Description and Person Specification very carefully. The decision to shortlist you for interview will be based solely on the information you provide on your application form.
The Job Description is designed to give you a flavour of what is involved with the job, ie examples of tasks you will be required to carry out.
The Person Specification details the essential requirements or skills we are looking for in the person we appoint. We are not necessarily looking for people who have done the job before - we are keen to appoint people with transferable skills. These skills could have been gained from previous work (including voluntary work), or experiences in your personal life, for example organising events, caring for family/friends, parenting, working with the local community, etc etc.
The Conditions of Service state whether the post is open to job share, part-time and other flexible working arrangements.
Please write clearly in BLACK INK OR BIRO (for photocopying). If you run out of space, please use additional pages rather than trying to squeeze all the information onto one page!
Remember to write the title and reference number of the post you are applying for at the top of each page.
Experience/Work History
This section is not purely to describe your work history. You can also add details of any voluntary work you have carried out, or any activities relevant to the post. For example if you were not working for a year because you were caring for a sick relative, or went travelling, write this down as well.
Supporting Information
Currently the number of people who work for the Association and the positions they hold within it do not reflect the mix of people within society. To redress this imbalance we will try to ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to apply for positions and, together with existing employees, to make progress within the Association.
This section is extremely important. It is your opportunity to explain how you meet each of the essential requirements on the Person Specification. We recommend that you use the heading and numbers from the criteria listed (eg Impact on Others, 1...)
When writing your answers under each heading, please make sure that you give us as much information as possible, and give examples where you can. The more (relevant) information you provide, the higher you will score. Think about how you can relate to the post you are applying for.
If you feel that you don't have the necessary experience to answer any of the criteria, think about your transferable skills (see below for more information).
Make sure you answer every criteria.
Person Specification Criteria
The following are intended as a guide only. Please refer to the specific requirements on the Person Specification for the post you are applying for.
- Impact on Others/ Personal Characteristics
Think about how you impact on others, for example clients, team members or customers. Consider your ability to communicate, and team working. What are your personal characteristics? (eg friendly, assertive, sensitive etc).
- Motivation
Why are you applying for this particular post? What could you bring to the Association? How would you carry out mundane aspects of the job as well as the more interesting parts?
- Values
Can you demonstrate your commitment to the values of SYHA? Eg. commitment to social housing, working in partnership, recognising the need to listen to the community, putting the customer/client first. What is your approach/attitude to equal opportunities?
- Professional Know How and Qualifications
Unless it is a specific requirement of an external body, the Association will not require candidates to have qualifications. We are interested in your specific skills, abilities and competencies.
If this criteria asks for knowledge or understanding of a particular subject area and you don't have it, think and find out about the subject so that you can demonstrate some understanding and knowledge in your answer even if you don't have direct experience.
- Problem Solving
This is about your ability to define and solve problems within different situations. Eg. your ability to learn a new skill quickly or handle a difficult situation, working within timescales/budgets etc. It also includes decision making and how you recognise the different factors involved in making decisions.
- Work Related Circumstances
This is about any additional requirements necessary to carry out the post effectively. Eg. practical considerations such as the ability to work a rota, to have transport, to work outside normal office hours, your willingness to undertake training. Also included is your ability to use IT or your willingness to learn to how to use it.
Below are some examples of essential requirements asked for on person specifications, together with ideas of what we are looking for:
- Impact on Others
Ability to work well as part of a team
Poor answer: - I work well both in a team and on my own initiative.
Extra Information you could include - If you have worked in a team, what were your team objectives?
- What are the advantages of teamwork?
- Are there any disadvantages?
- Is teamwork important?
- What did you achieve?
- Professional Know-How
Good organisational skills
Poor answer: - I am extremely busy in my current role, therefore I need to be very organised
Extra Information you could include - Give examples of when you have had to be organised, eg. time/diary management, working to tight timescales.
- Maybe you organised or help to organise a particular event? - Describe what was involved, and what tools you used to help you.
- Professional Know-How
Understanding of the needs of vulnerable people
Poor answer: - I understand that vulnerable people have different needs
Extra Information you could include - Give examples of experiences you have had when helping people with additional needs
- What issues did you come across?
- Values
Commitment to equal opportunities
Poor answer: - I am fully committed to equal opportunities
Extra Information you could include - Think about your approach to equal opportunities
- Why is it so important? What experiences have you had?
- How can you relate them to this post?
- Describe something that you have done to demonstrate your commitment
- Problem Solving
Ability to make decisions in a pressurised situation
Poor answer: - I have lots of experience of making difficult decisions
Extra Information you could include - Give an example of a situation when you had to make a decision under pressure.
- What were the circumstances?
- What was the outcome?
- What did you learn from it?
