Searching for a job

Q. How long does jobsatsouthwark keep my personal details for?

Please refer to our Security of Personal Data page for details.

Q. How do I set up/cancel Job Alert?

To set up job alerts click the “Job alerts” button on the Jobs search page. Select the job criteria, enter your email address and then click the “Create Job Alert” button.

To cancel a job alert click the “Delete job alert” link in your email alert. All job alerts are limited but you can choose to stop notifying after 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months or 6 months when you setup an alert.

Q. Can I receive alerts on more than one type of job?

Yes, to receive alerts on more than one type of job, select the job criteria, enter your email address and then click the “Create Job Alert” button.

Q. Do you advertise your jobs anywhere else?

Yes, we use a variety of different channels. But all of our vacancies are placed on this site.

Q. I don’t have a computer at home or at work – is there anywhere else I can register and apply online?

If you don't have internet access at home, ask a relative, friend or neighbour if you can use their computer for your job search. You can also access the site using a tablet or smart-phone.

You can set up your own email account on a computer at your local library or at other local facilities; however, availability of these will vary so find out about shopping centres and community centres in your area.

Free email accounts can be set up through providers such as www.yahoo.co.uk , mail.google.com and www.hotmail.com. Just log onto their websites and follow the instructions.

Setting up an email account with one of these web-based providers means you'll be able to access your email using any computer with internet access. To keep your personal details safe, always remember to logout from your Jobsatsouthwark account if you are using a shared computer.

Q. Is there a limited time for filling in an application form online?

As long as you complete and submit your application by 11.59pm on the closing date of the position there is no limit to how long you take to fill in your application. Therefore, you can take your time to complete the application form, save it and go back to finish it at your leisure.

Remember you must always click on the Submit button once you have filled in all parts of your application form (indicated by a tick) so that it is received by us. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been sent successfully.

At this stage you may find it useful to print a copy of your application form and the vacancy information on the advert for future reference.

Q. What happens after I submit my online application?

You will receive an acknowledgement email from the council that advertised the vacancy, and thereafter kept up to date with any progression throughout the application process. Your account area will also show your application status, details of other applications you’ve made and emails that you have been sent.

It is useful to print a copy of your application form and the vacancy information on the advert for future reference.

Q. Can I print off my application form to keep a copy for myself?

Yes, you can print out a summary once you have fully completed any part (or all) of the application form. To print press the “print” button on the page.

Q. Can I still apply for a vacancy without using a computer?

All jobs with the council are advertised online and any jobs will need to be applied for using a computer.

Your local library or other local facilities will usually have a computer you can use, however, these may vary so check out shopping centres and community centres in your area.

It is worth setting up an email account as more and more recruitment is moving on-line. It really can make a difference to your job search if you register online.

Other Questions

Q. I am experiencing issues applying online (Top Tips)

If you are experiencing issues with your online application please try the following:

• Delete your cookies/temporary Internet files

• Ensure that your privacy settings aren't set too high

• Ensure you have a strong Internet connection

• Check that your Internet cable is plugged into your router/socket, sometimes Wi-Fi signals can drop their connection due to a variety of reasons and this may end your session unexpectedly

• Save the section you are working on regularly (e.g. every 10 minutes) since any break in Internet connection, or period of inactivity may result in your session timing out and you may lose some information you have already inserted

• If you are entering lengthy responses draft them out using a text editor e.g. Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac) so you have a backup copy should you encounter any issues. The character count in Word differs from that on the application form because text is stored as Unicode on the online application form. Therefore use the character count on the application form and edit text accordingly. Text that is over the character limit will not be saved. What you see on the view/print summary screen is what the council/organisation will see once you submit your application Try to avoid adding additional formatting e.g. bullet points as these take up character space which may result in you not having enough space to complete your full response

• Enable pop-ups for the Jobsatsouthwark site if viewing your application summary sheet

• Review your computer settings and try other browsers

• Try accessing your application on another computer as this could help determine if the issue is specifically linked to your own computer settings

• If you are using an Antivirus software make sure that Jobsatsouthwark.co.uk is a trusted website

• Increase text size by clicking on Ctrl key and scrolling yo
  ur mouse wheel, or go to your browser click on View > Text Size or View > Zoom You can increase the text box sizes using Chrome and Safari browsers, or alternatively type up your responses using a text editor e.g. Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac) and copy and paste in to the text boxes once edited

Q. How can I make sure I receive emails from jobsatsouthwark?

Outlook 2003
Add a sender's domain to your Safe Senders List On the Tools menu, click Options On the Preferences tab, under E-mail, click Junk E-mail Click the Safe Senders tab Click Add In the 'Enter an e-mail address or Internet domain name to be added to the list' box, enter the domain "recruitment@southwark.gov.uk" and Click 'OK' 3 times Notes: To quickly add a sender, domain name, or mailing list name to the Safe Senders or Safe Recipients Lists, right-click the message you consider safe, and then on the shortcut menu, point to Junk E-mail and then click Sender's Domain (@example.com) to Safe Senders List.

Google Mail

If you're using Windows Live Hotmail you will need to add us to your Safe Senders list. Here's how: Sign in to your online Windows Live Hotmail mailbox. Click 'Options' in the upper right hand corner. (Note: If you're using the full version a submenu will display, please click 'More Options'). Click the 'Safe and blocked senders' link under the 'Junk e-mail' heading. Now click the 'Safe senders' link. Type the address " recruitment@southwark.gov.uk"into 'Sender or domain to mark as safe'. Click the 'Add to list >>' button.

Q. Error Messages

The character (keystroke) limit is 4000 per box - the system will not accept submissions over this limit. Please précis your response and only address those points on the Vacancy Information that will be assessed at shortlist.

Note that if you are copying from a word processing application or other sources, there may be some “hidden” characters which will form part of this keystroke limit. If this is the case, please paste the text into WordPad on a PC or TextEdit on a Mac – and then copy and paste into the box.