Guidance for applicants

Preparing to apply

To present your best application, take a look at our website and careers pages to learn about the OfS as a regulator and as an employer.  

Please make a note of the closing date. We do not accept applications after the deadline, and you will not be able to access the application page after the closing date.

The OfS approach

We value the diversity of perspectives, experience and ideas which contribute to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do.

We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.

Assessing your application

We evaluate applications against the skills and experience we’re looking for in the role. The criteria will be specified in the application process.  

This is your opportunity to expand on what you have achieved in your career by describing what you’ve done and how you’ve done it. It is here you should use detailed examples to explain how you meet all the requirements of the job description by giving evidence. Assertions without evidence will, in contrast, make it difficult to evaluate your skills and how you apply them.

On occasion, the method of application will be by CV and covering letter. At all other times, you are welcome to upload a CV, but this may not be considered if not specifically requested.

A task or set questions will be specific to the role being advertised. Please make note of any word limits given. Applications exceeding given word limits may be declined.

We don’t actively discourage the use of AI to generate applications, but they are generally easy to detect. We look for measurable and demonstrable achievements and results, therefore AI generated applications without intelligent adaption and personalisation are unlikely to succeed.

On occasions where we receive a high number of applications, we may start the shortlisting process and share outcomes before the closing date.

Workday

You will be making your application on Workday, our chosen recruiting portal. You can save and return to your application up to the point of submission. Once you have submitted you will not have the opportunity to review it, nor view the job description after the closing date. You are therefore recommended to copy and retain any information that might help inform your approach should you progress to interview.

Interviews

Interviews are generally with a panel of three people and can be face-to-face or remote by Microsoft Teams.

Assessments might also involve a test, written task or presentation. These might be in advance of your interview, on the same day, or form part of the decision-making process following interview. You will be given advance warning of any presentation or task required either before or during the interview, and we will describe the assessment process in our invitation to interview.

Reasonable adjustment

We are a Disability Confident employer and want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you have particular requirements in relation to any part of the recruitment and selection process, including access, please let us know immediately so we can discuss the equipment, facilities or adjustments you may need. Examples of adjustments include providing documents in large print, putting questions in the chat function during Teams call, or allowing more time for a test or interview.