GUIDELINES FOR JOB APPLICANTS

Transcription

1 GUIDELINES FOR JOB APPLICANTS Thank you for your interest in applying for a position with Anglicare North Coast. These guidelines have been prepared to assist you with your application. Anglicare North Coast is the social welfare arm of the Anglican Church, Diocese of Grafton. The Diocese of Grafton covers the coastal area of northern NSW from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie. Included in the scope of activities currently undertaken by Anglicare North Coast are Community Housing, Clarence Accommodation Support Service, Disaster Recovery Services, Humanitarian Settlement Services, Migrant Services Complex Case Support, Financial Counselling and various other direct client support programs. Our mission, in general terms, is to wherever possible relieve social inequality or disadvantage. We strive to ensure the wellbeing of people within the region and to maintain services that are of a high quality. THE PROCESS Recruitment and selection involves Anglicare North Coast identifying project and human resource needs and sourcing available funds. A position description is prepared in accordance with a project plan and the vacancy is advertised. Applications are received and applicants are short listed on the basis of the quality of their application and the information contained in responses to the selection criteria. Suitable applicants are then invited to attend an interview and/or undertake other selection activities; following which a 2nd short listing process will occur. Referee checks will be undertaken for applicants who are selected for the 2 nd short list. Once all of these steps have been completed, the Selection Committee will make a recommendation to the Executive Director, who has the authority to approve the appointment. All appointments will be made on the basis that satisfactory criminal records checks and where necessary Working with Children checks are obtained. All permanent appointments to Anglicare North Coast also include an initial probationary period. Please note that a criminal record does not always constitute a barrier to employment. Anglicare North Coast reserves the right to determine if a prior offence has relevance to the position. APPLYING FOR THE POSITION: You must apply in writing for the position. Hand written, typed and applications are all acceptable. If you apply by electronic means please ensure that your application is in Microsoft Word Format and that you have signed it. The quality of your application will be the means by which you will be assessed as suitable or otherwise to progress to interview. Your application should demonstrate why you are Page 1 of 5

2 the best person for the job and how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the selection criteria. Your application must contain the following minimum requirements: A letter of introduction (Cover letter) A completed Applicant Details Form Your responses to each of the selection criteria Your curriculum vitae (resume) Copies of Qualifications (as appropriate to the position) Before writing your application, you should take the following steps: Read through the position description provided in the application package and if necessary contact the enquiries person. Ask any questions that will help to clarify your understanding of the role. Obtain as much additional information as you need to write a good application. Talk to people in similar positions and read any relevant information such as brochures, and annual reports. WRITING YOUR APPLICATION: Write your responses to the selection criteria to show the selection committee that you have the right skills, knowledge and experience to do the job. A useful technique is to use actual examples from your experience that are relevant to the criterion you are addressing. Ensure that each selection criteria is addressed; make a separate heading for each selection criterion. For each one, describe your skill, knowledge and experience and show how they could be used in the job. It is important that applicants address ALL of the selection criteria. Please note whether the criterion is requesting an awareness, understanding, commitment, previous experience in, etc. as this will indicate the level to which you need to meet the criterion. In your statements you need to express your understanding in your own words relevant to the role for which you are applying. Whilst it is essential that you detail how you meet the selection criteria it is important that this is done in an informative but concise manner with a maximum of 250 words per criterion. SOME OTHER USEFUL HINTS AND INFORMATION Anglicare North Coast requires all employees to have awareness of the principles and practices related to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Quality Improvement (QI), Ethical Practices, Cultural Diversity and Occupational Health and Safety. These are relevant to all positions at Anglicare North Coast. The following may be of assistance in reference to some selection criteria: EEO: Equal Employment Opportunity Anglicare North Coast believes that equality in employment is a fundamental right for all people. EEO principles ensure that people are not discriminated against and have equal access to conditions of employment, training and development, promotional opportunities and evaluation of performance. The outcome of good EEO practice is a diverse and skilled workforce, Page 2 of 5

3 improved employment access and participation of EEO groups and a workplace culture displaying fair practices and behaviours. QI: Quality Improvement Anglicare North Coast is committed to ensuring all its services are continually improving and meeting customers requirements and expectations, external standards and legislated requirements. To this end Anglicare North Coast uses best practice, benchmarking, internal review, feedback mechanisms and external accreditation programs to review and improve service delivery and outcomes. Each employee is expected and encouraged to participate in quality improvement activities and to review their own work practices regularly. Ethical Practices Each employee of Anglicare North Coast is accountable for their performance. All employees must observe the Anglicare code of conduct and ensure that no fraudulent or unethical practices or conflicts of interest exist. Work Health & Safety Anglicare North Coast is committed to safe work practices and environment and regularly reviews facilities and practices to minimise risk. Each employee has a legislative requirement to ensure their work is carried out safely. Anglicare North Coast is also committed to assisting with the prompt return to work of injured workers. Anglicare North Coast has an Work Health and Safety policy that engages employees in the process of ensuring safe work places. Cultural Diversity Anglicare North Coast asserts that all people, regardless of race, religion, cultural origin or linguistic skills have an equitable right to access services provided in an appropriate way. Anglicare North Coast also recognises that the diversity of staff is one of its greatest assets. APPLICATION AND CURRICULUM VITAE/ RESUME: You need to complete the Anglicare North Coast Applicant Details Form which includes the requirement to provide the name and contact telephone numbers of two referees. You also need to provide a resume which includes: any qualifications, professional affiliations, details of any professional registrations and employment history. Personal information such as your marital status, number of dependants, etc are not relevant to the requirements of the position and should not be included in your application. If you are intending to apply for more than one position, please submit a separate application for each position. THE ROLE OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE: The selection process will be undertaken by a committee. Each selection committee is convened with care to ensure that it has the necessary expertise to make a sound decision in a fair and impartial way. Collectively, the committee will have an understanding of the vacancy and its role and will be responsible for the integrity of the final selection recommendation. The panel will usually consist of three members. If called to an interview, you are entitled to ask who will be on the panel. INTERVIEW: the most suitable applicants (short listed from their written application) will be called for an interview where each candidate s strengths and weaknesses in relation to the selection criteria are further assessed. The purpose of the interview is to provide the applicant with the opportunity to expand on information presented in their application and to enable the panel to gather further information for the assessment process. Page 3 of 5

4 The body of the interview will be structured so that each interviewee is asked the same series of questions based upon the selection criteria. It is not an opportunity for the selection committee to ask applicants tricky or obscure questions, but rather to assist you in presenting your case in the best manner possible. It is in Anglicare s best interests to give you every opportunity to prove you are the best person for the job. You may be given the questions 15 minutes prior to interview. At the interview you will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the position. The questions offer candidates the chance to demonstrate their interest in, and understanding of, the position and its duties. At this stage you may also present information to the committee which you feel assists your application. If you are offered an interview and you have any special needs (for example, wheelchair access to the building, interpreter for hearing impaired persons) you should inform the person who contacts you or ring the number listed in the advertisement for enquiries regarding the position. REFEREE REPORTS: If you are considered to be one of the suitable applicants, comments as to your demonstrated ability or potential to fulfil the selection criteria will be sought from your nominated referees. Referees will be required to confine their comments to direct knowledge of you. It is therefore important that you nominate referees who are able to discuss your suitability in relation to the selection criteria. Consider providing them with a copy of the position description so that they are well prepared to provide relevant information to the selection committee. CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK: Anglicare North Coast requires that criminal record checks be undertaken for all positions prior to offering an appointment. A criminal record does not necessarily disqualify applicants recommended for selection. If rejection of your application is considered purely because of a criminal record, you will be given an opportunity to discuss the matter fully before a final decision is made. PROOF OF IDENTITY: Proof of identity is required by all applicants and is similar to that required by the banks. Please bring relevant proof to the interview. DO NOT send any originals with your application. POST SELECTION FEEDBACK: Feedback will be available to applicants regarding their application or performance at interview upon request. LATE APPLICATIONS: Late applications are not normally considered so please ensure your application reaches Anglicare North Coast by the closing date. NOTIFICATION: Should you wish to confirm that your application has been received, please phone the Enquiry Officer. You will receive written notification of the outcome of your application. Page 4 of 5

5 APPLICANTS CHECKLIST: Ensure that you have Read your copy of the position description and the selection criteria. Researched the position thoroughly. Addressed ALL of the selection criteria. Completed and signed the Applicant Details form. Attached an up to date copy of your resume with copies of relevant supporting documentation. Presented your application in a neat, concise and clear manner. Prepared original supporting documentation and evidence of your identification (to bring to interview). Despatched your application to ensure it will arrive in a timely manner prior to the closing date. Anglicare North Coast is an equal opportunity employer supporting a smokefree workplace. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. Page 5 of 5