Our selection process

We let you know by email about the status of your application. We tell all applicants if they are successful or not.

Longlisting and shortlisting

The selection panel assesses all applications received against the requirements of the job description and person specification to decide who will progress to the interview stage.

As soon as a decision has been reached, and you are chosen for an interview, you will be contacted on email with the following details:

  • the interview date, time and place
  • who will be on the interview panel
  • details of anything you need to prepare, such as a presentation or examples of your work
  • any other special requirements.

We are committed to ensure all staff and potential employees are treated equitably. Please email recruitmentadministration@sussex.ac.uk if you need any reasonable adjustments for your interview.

Interviews

You will be interviewed by a panel which normally will include the recruiting manager and senior members of a school or department.

Interviews may be conducted as a videocall or in-person.

You may be asked to complete a test that’s relevant to the role as part of your interview. Details of this are sent to you in your invitation.

If you have applied for an academic or manager role, we will often ask you to give a presentation on a relevant topic as part of the interview. Details of this will be in your invitation.

You may need to bring original qualification certificates and proof of professional registration to the interview.

In some cases, there may be a second interview.

In all cases, we do our best to ensure you are given fair and appropriate opportunities to demonstrate your abilities to do the job you are interviewing for.

References

In some cases, we need to seek references before the interview. In others, we will only seek references after an interview. You can let us know in your application if you are happy for us to do so.

We must have at least two references from previous employers and three for academic roles before we can confirm appointment.

Job offer

Once interviews have concluded, the panel will select a preferred candidate.

It is usual practice for the recruiting manager to call the preferred candidate in the first instance.

If you accept the offer of employment, we’ll ask you for a start date so we can prepare the paperwork and send you an offer of employment.

The offer is made subject to satisfactory references, occupational health clearance and the right to work in the UK.

There may be other conditions. These are set out in the offer letter.

Travel and subsistence expenses

You will be told within your invitation if you are able to claim back travel and subsistence expenses, and who to send your claim form to.

If you are the successful candidate, you’ll be reimbursed soon after you take up your appointment. If an offer of appointment is rejected, we will only pay claims in exceptional circumstances.


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