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Selection process

Shortlisting

Once a job vacancy has been advertised and reached the close date, we will shortlist candidates using the job description and person specification.

As soon as a decision has been reached, we will contact shortlisted applicants to arrange interviews. Normally, you would expect to hear from us within two weeks of the close date if you are to be interviewed.

In some cases, we will need to seek references prior to interview, in others we will only seek these following an interview (see Job Offers below) but we require at least two references from previous employers prior to appointing.

Unfortunately due to the number of vacancies and applications the University receives we will not be able to provide feedback to those rejected at the shortlisting stage, only to applicants following interview.

As a Disability Confident Leader we operate the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, if you have applied under this scheme and meet the essential criteria for the role, you will automatically be invited to interview. 

Interviews

Interviews are normally conducted by a panel which will include the line manager, and perhaps more senior members of a Department or School.

Candidates will often be asked to give a presentation or perform a task on a relevant topic as part of the interview, which will be explained in the invitation to interview.

In some cases, there may be second or even third interviews. Some interviews may need to be conducted by telephone.

In all cases, we do our best to ensure that all candidates are given fair and appropriate opportunities to demonstrate their abilities to do the job.

You will be required at interview to provide original documentation of proof of your Right to Work in the UK.

You will also be required to bring along to the interview original qualification certificates (and if applicable, proof of professional registration).

When invited to interview you will be asked to declare any adjustments you require for the interview process, this will enable us to ensure anything required is put in place prior to meeting with you. 

Job Offers

Once the interviews are complete, we will select a preferred candidate and issue a conditional offer of employment - conditions may include satisfactory references, medical clearance, etc. We will ask you to accept the offer by return email. When we have completed all the necessary employment checks on a preferred candidate, we will issue a formal unconditional offer in the form of an employment contract.

If you are relocating from another country, you may find the 'Living and Working in the UK' page on our HR website of use: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/hr/services/living-uk/index.page.

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