Online application process and application advice

When applying for a role, it is crucial to thoroughly read the job description and person specification.

Tailor your application to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Focus on both essential and desirable criteria from the person specification to give yourself the best chance of being shortlisted.

The job description and person specification are included in the candidate pack attached to the advert.

Structure and format

• Start with a clear, concise format.
• Use headings such as "Professional Summary," "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," and "Qualifications."
• Avoid information overload when writing a CV - cover everything you need but keep it concise and relevant.

Tailor your content

• Highlight your experience and achievements that are directly relevant to the job description.
• Use bullet points to present information clearly, starting each point with a strong action verb like "managed," "developed," or "led."

Check for errors

• Proofread your CV multiple times for spelling and grammatical errors. Ask a friend or mentor to review it for an objective perspective.

Is a cover letter needed?

We won’t request a cover letter for every role - make sure you read the advert in full and take note of what we are looking for from your application.

Purpose of a cover letter

The cover letter should complement your CV, providing context and a personal touch to your application. It is your opportunity to explain why you are the best fit for the role.

Customise each letter

Tailor each cover letter to the specific job, where possible, address it to the hiring manager and reference the job title.

Structure and content

Begin with an engaging introduction that states your interest in the position and the University. Follow this with one to two paragraphs that link your experience, skills, and qualities to the job description. Conclude with a strong closing paragraph expressing enthusiasm for the role and a call to action for an interview.

What to expect

The interview process will typically be one or two stages and could be held virtually or in person, depending on the role

Types of interviews

These may include competency-based interviews, panel interviews, or even assessment centres, depending on the role you are applying for. Be sure to read the interview invite carefully for details.

The invite will outline the format of the interview as well as who will be on the panel and any information on where to go and who to ask for if you are attending an interview on campus. If the interview is on Microsoft Teams, you will receive a Teams link.

Research the University

Demonstrating knowledge about Leeds Trinity University, our values, and our work culture can set you apart from other candidates. You can review our recent news and publications, blogs, and strategic goals to find out more about the university.

Prepare structured answers

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This approach helps in providing clear and concise responses, particularly for competency-based questions.

Think about what you may get asked

The person specification has been prepared to identify the skills we are looking for. We will want to test this at the interview, so a good starting point is to prepare an example scenario for each of the points in the person specification.

Don’t over-prepare your answers

When comparing your experience to the person spec, think about times when you have demonstrated this skill or experience and write down what you remember so it is fresh in your mind.

Try not to pre-empt the exact question you may get asked on this as this could throw you off in the interview if the question is worded slightly differently to what you expected.

Common questions to practice

We won’t always ask these but it's good practice to think about

• "Why do you want to work here?" – Highlight what you admire about the university and how your values match ours.
• “What interested you in the role OR What do you know about the role?” – the interviewer will want to be sure the role is right for you as much as you are right for the role.
• "Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it." – Use the STAR method to provide a specific example.

Be ready for follow-up questions

Your answers might prompt further questions. Stay calm, be honest, take your time and think through your responses carefully.

Submit Early

Ensure that your application is submitted as early as possible and no later than 23:59 on the closing date quoted in the advert. For some vacancies, we may close the advert early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Attachments

Only attach documents that add value to your application. Ensure all attachments are relevant and well-formatted including a cover letter if required

Proof of Right to Work in the UK

Be prepared to verify your eligibility to work in the UK by producing the required documents if offered a role.

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