Guaranteed Interview Scheme
We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that’s as diverse as the communities we serve. So we’ll guarantee you an interview if you meet the minimum requirements for a role and you:
- are in – or have ever been in – the Armed Forces
- consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
- are currently looked after by a local authority or a care leaver
Disability or long-term condition
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and do our best to support staff with physical and mental-health conditions, a disability or neurodiversity. We will offer you a guaranteed interview if you consider yourself to be disabled, but you also have the option to opt out of the scheme during the application process, if you wish.
Looked after children and care leavers
As part of our commitment to the Care Leaver covenant (CLC), we offer guaranteed interviews if you are currently looked after by a local authority, or a care leaver. This is part of our wider support given through CLC to help people leaving care make a transition to independence.
Current and former members of the Armed Forces
We are a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and committed to supporting members of the Armed Forces community, recognising and remembering the sacrifices they have made. This makes sure that veterans, reservists and serving personnel face no disadvantage throughout the recruitment process.
Top tips for your application
Make sure to read through the advert and any supporting documents including the role profile. Think about any roles you are currently undertaking, or you have undertaken before and how your skills, knowledge and experience match what we are looking for. You should give examples that match the generic skills and technical requirements on the role profile - these can be from any previous employment, voluntary work, education, or any other transferable life skills.
Begin by describing the situation and don’t forget to be specific about the skills and knowledge that you personally used, as well as the outcome. We want to get to know you so make sure your examples highlight your strengths and allow your application to shine.
Top tips for interviews and assessments
If your application is shortlisted, you may be invited to attend one or more assessments.
This could include a written task, interview, presentation, or an assessment centre. The type of assessment for each role will depend on the knowledge, skills and behaviours required.
Assessments may take place in-person, online, over the phone or on a video call.
To help prepare you can:
- read the Our Manchester strategy and the State of the City report to get a good understanding of the Council’s priorities and ambitions
- read through the role profile again. Consider the types of questions you may be asked and the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to demonstrate
- develop a list of examples where you have demonstrated key skills, worked well under pressure or made a real difference. Take a look back at the examples you used in your application form. Expand on them and come up with more if you can
- think about any questions you want to ask. Remember, it’s also an opportunity for you to assess whether the Council is the right fit for you
- practice speaking slowly and with confidence. Remember that it’s okay to take a few moments to collect your thoughts before responding to an interview question
- plan all the practicalities for assessment day in advance. If the assessment is in person, think about how you will get to the venue. If the assessment is virtual, read our tips for virtual assessments.
- plan what to wear – it’s important to feel comfortable but also to make a good impression
- contact us about any adjustments that you may need to help you perform at your best.
Things to remember for video interviews
Whether you are an expert at video interviews or have never experienced one before, we want you to feel comfortable and confident. Here are some top tips to help you prepare:
Check your technology
You’ll need a device that with a camera and microphone, as well as an internet connection.
We use Microsoft Teams for video interviews. You can join from your browser, or download Microsoft Teams to your device. If you need help with using teams, there are useful guides online.
You will receive a calendar invite by email to confirm the date and time of your interview, this will also contain a Teams meeting link. To join a meeting, you’ll need to click on the link in the email at the specified time.
Before your interview, you should test the device and make sure that the camera shows a clear picture and sound quality is good, and that your internet connection is stable.
Don’t forget to make sure your device is charged or plugged in, so your battery does not run out. To give yourself plenty of time to prepare, switch everything on at least half an hour before the interview and give it a quick test.
Choose a suitable location
Try to pick a quiet location for your interview. You might also want to let anyone you live with, or who might be at the location know that you will be in an interview and how long it should last.
For added privacy you can blur your background on Teams. When you join a meeting, you will first see a set of options, select Background filters. It's just below the video image.
Your background options will display on the right. Select Blur to blur your background. You'll appear nice and clear while everything behind you is subtly concealed.
Don’t forget to close any tabs, windows or applications that may play notifications sounds, and put your phone on silent.
Prepare yourself
You should dress for your video interview as you would for an in-person one.
Body language is also important, and you should remember to try and look at the screen or camera when the interviewer is speaking. Digital connections can be delayed so please be mindful that there may be a second or two delay.
When speaking, try to keep a steady pace so that the microphone can pick up what you are saying. If you need help with hearing the interviewers, you can also enable live captions.
Final review
To recap, here’s a quick checklist of things to remember:
- Have a suitable device connected to the internet.
- Test your technology well in advance.
- Where possible, have the interview in a suitable quiet location.
- Disable any visual or audio distractions.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
- Be mindful of your body language, try to look at the camera and screen and act as you would at an in-person interview.
- Be prepared to answer questions related to the role profile or job description advertised.
- If you encounter issues, try not to worry. Let us know and we can see if there are any alternative ways you can connect for your interview.
Best of luck!