Our recruitment process

Thank you for showing interest in working for Sunderland City Council.

This guide will take you through our recruitment and onboarding processes, so you know what to expect when you apply for a job with us.

Step 1: Looking for a job

All of our jobs are advertised on North East Jobs, so please visit the site and take a look at our list of current vacancies.

If you haven't used North East Jobs before, you will be asked to create an account and setting one up is easy. Simply click on 'Not yet a member - register here' to create a new profile. Once you have found the role you are interested in, click on the job name to take you to the job information page. You will then be able to view and print the Job Dscription and Person Specification, as well as apply for the role.

Please note, we do not accept CVs as application for any role.

Step 2: Applying for a role

You are now ready to start completing your application. Carefully read the Job Description and Person Specification which will give you all the information you need about what the job entails and what will be expected of the successful candidate.

Give us as much evidence as you can to show you have the skills to do the job, including examples - being invited to interview will depend on whether the information you give us shows that you have met the essential requirements of the Person Specification.

Once you start completing the application and save, parts of the form such as personal details, employment history and education/qualifications will be saved in your profile. They will be there should you apply for any job in the future.

The closing date and time will be outlined in the job advert, make sure you get your application in on time. If the vacancy closes while you are completing your application, you will be unable to submit.

Step 3: Shortlisting and letting you know

After the closing date, the recruiting manager and panel will review all of the received applications and decide which candidates meet the essential requirements of the job to take forward to the next stage(s).

If you are successful you will receive an email notification to advise there is a message in your North East Jobs inbox. The message will contain a letter confirming details of the next stage(s), along with anything you may need to prepare in advance.

Please note, emails from North East Jobs can sometimes find their way into the email junk folder, so please check this regularly if you have applied for a post, we would hate you to miss anything.

You will need to confirm whether you will be attending the next stage, as well as letting us know if you require any support from us on the day. This will help us to make any reasonable adjustments for you, to ensure you are able to perform to the best of your ability both in the recruitment process and, if you are successful, in your workplace.

If you are unsuccessful you will receive an email notification to advise there is a message in your North East Jobs inbox. Please don't let an unsuccessful application put you off applying for other roles with us. If it would help, contact us for feedback on your application to help with the next one. 

Step 4: Assessment centre

Some of our roles may require you take part in an assessment centre, in some instances these may be used as a further shortlisting activity. Assessment centres are structured exercises which assess a candidate's competencies and suitability for the role and can take the form of practical exercises, networking activities or presentations.

Assessment centres aren't used for all roles, if one is being used it will be clearly identified on the Person Specification.

Step 5: Interview

Before the day arrives make sure you are prepared (use the Job Description and Person Specification to help with this). Please attend your interview at the date and time outlined in your letter - interviews will differ in length depending on the role.

Remember, the interview panel want you to give your best self during the interview, so take your time when answering questions. Interviews are a two-way process the panel want to find out if you are the right person for the job, but it is also your opportunity to see if the job is right for you.

Step 6: Job offer

If you are offered the job, congratulations! The recruiting manager will be in touch (usually by phone) to offer you the role. If you are happy to accept, an offer letter will follow. The offer will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks which will be detailed in the offer letter.

Please read the offer letter thoroughly as it will require actions from you to progress your recruitment.

Step 7: Pre-employment checks

The required pre-employment checks will depend on the role.

Basic checks applied to all roles with us are:

• Two references - if you have been or are currently employed, one should be from your most recent employer
• ID check
• Pre-employment medical questionnaire

Role dependent checks:

• DBS check
• Baseline personnel security standard check
• Financial check
• Qualification certificates
• Professional registration
• Face to face medical 

Please make sure your referees are aware that a reference request will be coming their way and ensure that the email address you provide for them on your application is correct. A delay with references can hold up the process which may push back your start date.

Step 8: Start date

Once all pre-employment checks have been completed and approved, your start date will be agreed by you and your new manager.

Step 9: Before you start

Before you even start work with us, your manager will be working in the background to ensure everything is ready for your first day. They will regularly keep in touch with you to update you on how the recruitment process is progressing as well as answering any questions you may have.

Once the recruitment process is complete, it's time to enjoy your new job with us!

Step 10: Corporate and local induction

Once you start work you will receive a comprehensive induction using a range of tools to make sure you have everything you need to carry out your new role from your very first day:

• Corporate induction - Information about the council including our policies, procedures and ways of working
• Local induction - Information about your specific role, area of work and any local procedures you may need to know about

Step 11: Ongoing learning and development

Your learning and development is important to us and continues after your induction.

We will work with you to help you meet your career goals, ensure you have the skills and knowledge to thrive in your role and support you to maintain professional qualifications.