Application and selection process

Application stage

You can apply for HSE/HSL vacancies through Civil Service Jobs, where you can also register to receive job alerts by email. Each job description gives information on how to apply and the selection procedure required.

Before you decide to apply, discuss the job with the named contact. You can check your understanding about what it would be like to work for HSE, but crucially it will help you to:

• understand the context of the job, the main responsibilities and how it fits into HSE;
• identify the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are most important for the job;
• understand how the competencies relate to the main responsibilities;

Applications in alternative formats

Application forms in alternative formats are available on request. If you have a disability which prevents you from using the application form in Civil Service Jobs, telephone 0151 951 3300 to request an application form in an alternative format.

Selection stage

Whatever the job, the selection stage will involve an interview with HSE. You may also be required to take part in another selection exercise depending on skills required for the vacancy, e.g. a presentation. The selection stage will test your skills, knowledge and experience against the required responsibilities and competencies needed for the job.

To attend the selection stage, HSE will refund your travel expenses (and overnight expenses if required) within certain limits. This does not include travel from abroad. More information is provided in the selection stage letter.

Preparation is key at this stage. If you are prepared then you are more likely to perform well and stand out against other candidates. HSE, like other government departments, carries out competency based interviewing - competencies are the attributes that are important for effective job performance and are usually a mixture of skills, ability, motivation and knowledge. Questions around these competencies enable us to understand your past behaviour on the basis that this is the best predictor of future behaviour and job performance.

You may have heard of the acronym S.T.A.R (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and researching this will help you to prepare for this type of interview.

• Interview tips

Results stage

After the selection stage, you will be informed by email of your result, normally within 10 days but this may be longer depending on the size of the recruitment exercise.

If you are successful, we will send you an offer of employment and ask you to confirm your acceptance. A quick response will speed up our pre-employment enquiries.

If you accept our offer, we will begin our pre-employment enquiries. Depending on the job you have applied for and the level of checks required, this may take between 3 and 12 weeks to complete. If our enquiries are completed satisfactorily, we will contact you to confirm this, arrange a suitable start date and issue a contract of employment.