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Frequently Asked Questions - Applications

  1. How do I apply for a job at Independent Age?
  2. Why do I have to create an account to apply for a job?
  3. Why do I have to fill in an application form?
  4. I am applying for more than one job, do I need to fill out a separate application form?
  5. I have made some mistakes on my application form - can I correct them?
  6. Will you confirm you have received my application?
  7. How are applicants shortlisted for interview?
  8. How long will I have to wait to find out if my application is successful?
  9. My application was not successful. Will I get personal feedback?
  10. Can you send me a paper application pack?
  11. How can I find out more information about a vacancy?
  12. Do you accept speculative applications?
  13. Do you offer work experience?
  14. I am an international candidate and wish to be considered for a role. Can I apply?
  15. What is the Equal Opportunities Form used for?
  16. How long do you keep my application for?

  1. How do I apply for a job at Independent Age?

    Our current vacancies are listed here and updated regularly. If you find a suitable role, simply click on the Apply Online button and follow the instructions.

    If there are no current vacancies, or you can't see a role that fits your talents and criteria, you can set up email or RSS alerts to be notified when a role that matches your requirements becomes available.

  2. Why do I have to create an account to apply for a job?

    Creating an account ensures that site users are aware of the Terms Of Use for the website and it also provides access to a personalised area of the website, 'My Applications', which enables you to:

    • automatically save applications and print them
    • monitor the progress of your applications
    • update your contact details, password and SMS consent

    All information is held securely and cannot be viewed by anyone at Independent Age until you have submitted your application.

  3. Why do I have to fill in an application form?

    All applicants are required to complete an online application form, which captures basic information such as your name, contact details and permission to work in the UK. Documents, such as a CV and supporting statement, can then be submitted to demonstrate suitability for the role according to the job description and person specification.

    Once you have submitted your application, the information you have input into the form will then auto-populate for any future applications, avoiding the need for you to re-enter all of your information again.

    (See 'Can you send me a paper application pack?' if you have specific requirements and may need help or assistance to apply in an alternative format.)

  4. I am applying for more than one job, do I need to fill out a separate application form?

    Each job will required its own online application. You cannot use the same online application form to apply for more than one job.

  5. I have made some mistakes on my application form - can I correct them?

    Unfortunately, once you have submitted your application you cannot change any of the details (other than your contact details, which you can edit yourself in your ‘Account Settings’). Before submitting your application you will be prompted to check your application thoroughly for this reason. 

    If you need a bit more time to check through your application before submitting, you can complete your application form in stages and can login/logout at any time. The form automatically saves as you enter your information and it is simple to move backwards and forwards within the form at any time prior to submission. Help is available at each stage to guide you through the form.

    We recommend taking note of the closing date to ensure you do not miss the deadline for applying - all applications must be submitted online by Midnight UK time on the closing date. 

    NOTE: We may process and screen applications before the closing date for roles where a high volume of applicants is received - this may result in us closing the vacancy early before the advertised closing date. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in a role.

  6. Will you confirm you have received my application?

    Of course - we will confirm receipt of your application by email.

    Once you have submitted your application, you will also see in the 'My Applications' area, that the status of your application will show as "submitted" and it will also show the date of submission.

  7. How are applicants shortlisted for interview?

    A selection panel will assess all applicants against the requirements of the job description and person specification and then notify the People Team of their decision. The People Team will then contact the applicants as appropriate.

    When shortlisting, candidates are compared only to the person specification, and not to each other. Managers are trained to shortlist candidates with at least one other person to provide a different perspective and reduce the possibility of unconscious bias. Wherever possible, there will be diversity represented on the shortlisting panel. 

    For some roles, we are starting to trial anonymised shortlisting (this will be indicated on the job advert). Anonymous shortlisting means that panel members will not see candidates personal information (such as name, photo, email address etc.) usually included within a job application in order to avoid unconscious bias during the shortlisting process.  

  8. How long will I have to wait to find out if my application is successful?

    The time it takes for Independent Age to respond to candidates will vary depending on the volume of applications we receive and the role itself. However, our goal is that all candidates will be notified as to the outcome of their application within a few weeks of the closing date.

    In exceptional circumstances where the shortlisting process takes longer than expected, candidates will be notified of this (usually by email).

  9. My application was not successful. Will I get personal feedback?

    We give personal feedback to all unsuccessful candidates at interview stage. 

    Unfortunately, whilst we appreciate the time and effort put into completing your application, personal feedback for every candidate may not always be possible at shortlisting stage where there is a high number of applicants for a role. Candidates will still receive an email notifying you that your application was unsuccessful. 

    If you wish to request personal feedback, please contact us so we can support with this.

  10. Can you send me a paper application pack?

    Usually applications are made online via our user-friendly system. However, if you have specific requirements and need support to apply via an alternative format (e.g. in paper format with a larger font), please contact us so we can discuss and arrange a suitable alternative with you.

  11. How can I find out more information about a vacancy?

    If you require further details about a role then please don't hesitate to contact us.

  12. Do you accept speculative applications?

    Unfortunately we do not accept speculative applications or CV's via email. Our current vacancies are listed here and updated regularly, so please apply directly. 

    If there are no current vacancies, or you can't see a role that fits your talents and criteria, you can set up email or RSS alerts to be notified when a role that matches your requirements becomes available.

  13. Do you offer work experience?

    Unfortunately we do not currently offer work experience, with the exception of our Policy and Influencing team who offer student placements in partnership with a local University. We are a relatively small organisation and do not currently have the capacity to manage other placements such as these. We also want to ensure that any opportunities we do offer are fairly compensated, and therefore open to the widest number of people. If you are looking to gain experience in our field, do look out for our entry-level opportunities, which we advertise from time to time. You can create an email alert and be notified as soon as we post an opportunity that matches your criteria.

    Otherwise, if you are interested in volunteering for Independent Age, you can find all current volunteering opportunities here.

  14. I am an international candidate and wish to be considered for a role. Can I apply?

    Unfortunately, we are not currently licensed to sponsor workers who are not already entitled to work in the UK. 

    You will be asked to confirm you current status in terms of entitlement to work in the UK when submitting your application. General information on right to work in the UK can be found on the Gov.UK website.

  15. What is the Equal Opportunities Form used for?

    This form is vital to help ensure we are reaching as diverse a field of candidates as possible. Your answers are not seen by the recruiting panel and are kept entirely separate from your application – at no point is this information used in the decision making process. Sharing this information helps us to track whether our dedicated drive towards Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is working. It allows us to objectively measure improvement and use data to inform our inclusive policies and activities that, in turn, will help us further diversify our workforce.

    The information collected will be stored and processed in accordance with Data Protection Principles for the purpose of preparing anonymised statistical reports. For more information please refer to our Privacy Policy.

  16. How long do you keep my application for?

    As per our Privacy Policy, applications for employment which were made but unsuccessful will be deleted after a 12-month period, unless you request for your information to be deleted earlier. You can request this anytime by contacting us directly at dp@independentage.org.

    If your application is successful, your data will be kept and transferred to the systems we administer for employees. We have a separate data protection statement (privacy notice) for employees, workers and contractors which would be provided when applicable.

    By completing and submitting an application, you consent to Independent Age processing such personal data as may be necessary for the proper administration of its recruitment and selection processes. For further information on how we collect, use and protect personal data or personal information about you in advance of any employment relationship, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

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