How to apply

You can create your account by visiting Login - Jobs at the University of Derby and filling in a few basic details. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application.

Online applications can be completed in stages and the information you enter is saved automatically. You can review and amend each section of your application at any time before submission. Advice is provided within each section for guidance.

We strongly recommend reviewing the job description before submitting your application as the information you provide will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the person specification section of the job description.

Please note unsuccessful applicant data will be held for 6 months from the appointment of the successful applicant.

Within your application, you will be asked to provide statements that evidence your ability to meet selection criteria chosen from the person specification. This method is used to enable you to demonstrate how your qualifications, experience, and skills, knowledge and abilities are relevant to the post for which you are applying. Remember to include specific evidence or examples to support your application. We recommend using the STAR method.

The STAR method refers to Situation, Task, Action, Result and is useful in helping you structure your responses, both in application forms and interviews.

• Situation - provide some brief details about the situation you were in when you used your competencies so that the reader can understand the context of the example
• Task - outline what your objective or purpose was during that situation, again, to put your answer into context
• Action - describe what you did in that situation and how you approached it
• Result - state the outcome, for example: Were the objectives met? What did you learn/gain from being in that situation?

Please note you will be asked to provide evidence that you hold the essential qualifications for the role, as detailed on the job description.

To ensure fair and consistent assessment between applicants, recruiting managers are only able to use the information provided in your responses to the selection criteria questions and supporting documents (if requested) to make shortlisting decisions. Therefore, it’s important that you don’t assume they will be able to infer that you have relevant skills from your current and previous roles.

As applicants are shortlisted against a unique candidate pool each time, we do not mandate that applicants cannot reapply. However, we reserve the right to not re-interview applicants applying for the same role that have been unsuccessful at interview within the last six months.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will no longer be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. We understand that candidates may still wish to upload supporting documents alongside their application, however, we request that applicants anonymise their documents before uploading to their application.

This development is part of our ongoing commitment to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion into our staff recruitment practices, to ensure our workforce is representative of our student population and the communities in which we are based. It demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.

Pre-interview

• Research our University and understand the role. Look at our University’s website, related press articles, company reports, social media presence etc
• Think about what you are likely to be asked, using the person specification as a guide
• Know yourself and prepare your evidence in advance. Think about how you could answer typical questions and prove your ability by referring to specific experiences in the past

Interview

• Listen carefully, pause to collect your thoughts if necessary, and answer the questions with evidence. Think about why you’re being asked different questions, and make sure your answers give enough detail to prove how good you are
• Keep calm, stay positive. How you relate to the interviewer is almost as important as what you say, so try and smile and be engaging and positive. Remember, they wouldn’t have selected you for interview if they didn’t think you had the potential to do the job
• Think of a few questions in advance to ask at the end of the interview

Post-interview

• Review your own performance and learn from this. Interviews are something you get better at with practice. What worked? What didn’t? What should you have done before hand?
• Follow up. If appropriate, it might be a good idea to write to the interviewer afterwards thanking them and reiterating your enthusiasm for the role
• Ask for feedback, whether you get the job or not

In-person interviews provide an opportunity for candidates to meet panel members in person and see the working environment. This still remains a popular interview method for many and avoids technical and connection difficulties which can arise from online interviews.

Our campus is generally accessible although wheelchair users must sometimes take an alternative route. Carers can also be accommodated and assistance dogs are welcome.

Accessible map Kedleston Road.

If you would like further information on campus accessibility, please contact recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Benefits to attending an in-person interview

In-person interviews have many benefits for candidates, including:

• Building rapport with the hiring manager and interview panel
• Ability to pick up non-verbal cues more clearly
• Ability to see the campus and experience the atmosphere
• No need to worry about connectivity issues
• No interruptions or distractions
• Being able to see and hear panel members clearly
• No time delay and flowing communication
• Direct eye contact

Process for attending an in-person interview

Details of the interview including date, time, location and any assessment will be provided within an invitation to interview email. If a presentation is required you will be asked to email this to recruitment@derby.ac.uk at least 24 hours prior to your interview. This will be shared with the panel in advance of your interview and will be set up in the room in preparation for you to present. Where the panel are not able to set this up in advance, you will be informed of what equipment you will need to bring with you.

On the day of the interview you will be welcomed by a University of Derby colleague and shown into the interview room. After the interview you will be shown out of the building or be advised of any further arrangements as necessary.

Useful tips of what to consider before, during and after an in person interview are:

• Pre-interview
  • Technology - if you are taking your own device, ensure it is fully charged
  • Prepare any relevant materials, such as presentation slides, and ensure these files are compatible with the technology
  • You may wish to research the University and the area the role is within
  • Practice any presentation and send slides in advance if requested. Make bullet pointed notes to act as an aide memoir if needed
  • Plan and book any travel and/or accommodation
  • Questions - you will have an opportunity to ask questions about the University, the School/Department and role so may wish to prepare these
• Interview
  • Technology - if you are taking your own equipment ensure this is working and charged
  • Time - make sure you allow plenty of time for traveling. Do a practice drive if needed. You should aim to arrive 10 minutes before your interview time
  • Consider your body language, displaying confidence through sitting up, smiling and eye contact where possible
  • Dress code - you should dress appropriately for the interview
  • Ask any questions you feel appropriate for the role
• Post-interview
  • You will be shown out of the building or informed of other arrangements as appropriate
  • You will be contacted once all candidates have been interviewed and the panel have made a decision on the role

Online interviews provide an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate suitability for a role without the need to meet panel members in person. At University of Derby, if an online interview is conducted this will be carried out via MS Teams.

Benefits to attending an online interview

Online interviews have many benefits for candidates, including:

• More flexibility on when interviews can be scheduled
• No travel which saves times, money and reduces stress
• Being in a familiar environment may reduce nerves and anxiety
• The ability to demonstrate technical skills
• Using familiar equipment

Process for attending an online interview

The University uses Microsoft Teams to conduct online interviews. Within the interview details you will receive, instructions on how to download and access Microsoft Teams will be provided.

You should ensure you check the software works before the interview and familiarise yourself with different functions, such as share screen if a presentation is required and chat. You will receive a link for the appropriate date and time of the interview. If for any reason an online interview is not possible, consideration for alternative options will be given.

On the day of the interview the link will need to be clicked at the appropriate time. This will alert the panel of your availability and they will admit you to join the interview when ready. If at any time you have difficulties with audio or video you should make the panel aware by either telling them or putting a note in the chat function. At the end of the interview the red “leave” button at the top right of the screen can be pressed. This should end the call and the screen should go blank.

Useful tips of what to consider before, during and after an online interview are:

• Pre-interview
  • Technology - download any relevant software and test it in advance of the interview day. Become familiar with the programme and its facilities, e.g. how to share a screen. Ensure device is fully charged
  • Prepare any relevant materials, such as presentation slides, and ensure these files are compatible with the software. Send these to the panel in advance if requested. Make bullet pointed notes to act as an aide memoir if needed
  • You may wish to research the University and the area the role is within
  • Practice your interview and try recording this to see how you come across on camera. This will also give you an opportunity to test technology is working
  • Questions - you will have an opportunity to ask questions about the University, the School/Department and role so may wish to prepare these
• Interview
  • Technology - Log on at least 10 minutes prior to interview time to test connection. You should make the panel aware of any difficulties you are having prior to the interview. Switch off any other devices
  • Environment - chose an environment where you feel comfortable, is in a quiet space with good lighting, using a backdrop if necessary
  • Engagement - when talking, you should, where able, look at the camera so it appears you are engaged and looking at panel members
  • Consider your body language, displaying confidence through sitting up, smiling and eye contact, where possible
  • Dress code - you should dress in the same way you would for a face to face interview
• Post-interview
  • Equipment - make sure the video call has ended before moving away from your device
  • You will be contacted once all candidates have been interviewed and the panel have made a decision on the role

If you require any reasonable adjustments, you can detail this on your application form. As part of our anonymous shortlisting process, this information will not be seen by the shortlisting panel.

We will also ask you if you would like to inform us of any reasonable adjustments if you are invited to interview. Declaring a disability will not be viewed unfavourably, appointments will be made on merit.

The University of Derby understands that pronouns matter and we would like to support applicants to feel comfortable to be their authentic selves.

If during the recruitment process (from interview through to your first day) you would like us to inform the recruiting manager of your preferred pronouns or request any reasonable adjustments, please let us know by contacting recruitment@derby.ac.uk