Support for candidates

Support on completing an application form

We use both CVs and application forms. If you have a CV you can speed up the application process by uploading it to our system and it will populate the application form for you.

You can then complete any additional fields and the personal statement separately. You will also be able to review all information before submitting it. If you do not have a CV then the application form can be completed in the usual way.

The progress you make on an application can be saved  for when you next log in. Once it has been submitted you will receive a notification to confirm receipt.

Get vacancy alerts

As vacancies are advertised in real-time it's a good idea to check our job pages regularly

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Incorporating values and behaviours

Our values and the associated behavioural indicators define how we do things around here. They are important because they drive us to achieve our organisational aims. They inspire us, challenge us and lead us toward our goals.

Before attending an interview think about how you can demonstrate our values and behaviours in your answers during the interview process. This could be how you challenged a process, created efficiencies or worked across teams to support a customer through their journey.

See more information about the behavioural indicators for our values. They are split between officers and managers.

Assessment Types

We may use a number of ways to assess candidates suitability for a role. The types of assessment can range from:

  • psychometric testing
  • verbal and numerical reasoning
  • presentation skills
  • desktop exercises

You will be notified what types of assessment will be used  prior to the interview.

Interview Preparation

Do your homework

Find out about Harrow Council and the department you have applied for. Read the role profile and make notes on how you can demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience that is being asked for and your recent achievements.

Think about some questions that you may be asked and consider how you might answer them. You may want to refer to our values and how you can contribute to building a better Harrow.

Before your interview

Be sure you know the following information about your interview:

  • the time
  • the date
  • the location
  • the names of the interview panel
  • any assessments

Plan your route to the interview and how long it will take allowing for any delays that could mean you are late. Try to anticipate any delays that could make you late.

Ensure that you have all the documents you have been asked to bring with you to the interview.

What to bring to an interview

When you attend your interview at Harrow Council you will be required to provide a number of original documents to prove that you have a legal right to work in the UK and hold relevant qualifications/registration that are required to carry out the role you are interviewing for.

The most commonly produced documents are:

  • valid UK or EU/EEA passport in your current name
  • relevant qualification/registration certificates

There are certain vacancies that are subject to a criminal record check (DBS). If you are interviewed for such a role, you will be required to produce three identity documents to support your applications. If you are unsure whether the role you are interviewed for is subject to the criminal record check, please refer to the advertisement and role profile.

To support your criminal record check application you can also bring:

  • a driving licence (photocard and counterpart licence) in your current address and in your current name
  • original of a household bill (not mobile phone) or a bank statement which is in your name, includes your current address and is less than three months old. Print-outs from a webpage will not be accepted.

You must ensure that you bring the original documents with you on the day of your interview so that they can be photocopied by the interview panel. There are a number of other documents you can produce, so if you don’t hold the documents above, please refer to the available guidance.

If your application is successful then the offer made to you will remain conditional until you provide the above-mentioned documents. So do remember to bring them with you to the interview. This will make the recruitment process quicker at the later stages.