Candidate Guidance Hub
Guidance to help you find roles, complete strong applications, prepare for interview, and understand what happens after you are offered a job.
Welcome to our Candidate Guidance Hub!
This page is your one‑stop place for practical guidance to help you find roles, complete strong applications, prepare for interviews, and understand what happens after you are offered a job.
Whether you are new to public sector recruitment or already familiar with greater.jobs, you will find clear, useful information to support you at every stage of your journey.
Finding the Right Role
greater.jobs brings together job opportunities from local authorities and other organisations across Greater Manchester and surrounding areas. You can search for roles by job category, location, organisation, salary range, working arrangement, or working pattern, helping you focus on opportunities that best match your skills and circumstances.
Each advert explains the purpose of the role, the team you would be joining, and how the job contributes to services for local residents.
Where suitable roles are not currently available, you can save searches and set up job alerts to be notified when new vacancies are advertised.
Completing a Strong Application
Submitting a strong application means clearly showing how you meet the essential qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience outlined in the job specification or role profile. Candidates should take time to address each essential criterion, using clear and specific examples that explain what they did, how they did it, and the outcome. Simply repeating the wording from the job description is unlikely to be effective without supporting evidence.
It is also important to understand the culture and values of the organisation you are applying to. Each employer has its own priorities and ways of working, which can be explored through their locality or organisation page on greater.jobs. Understanding what the organisation is looking for, what you can offer, and what they can offer you in return will help strengthen both your application and any future interview.
Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach
Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.
To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.
Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.
Interview Preparation and Tips
Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to an interview or assessment, which may take place in person, remotely, or as a blended approach. Interviews are usually carried out by a panel that includes the recruiting manager and colleagues from the relevant team. Questions are typically based on the job criteria, required behaviours, and organisational values.
Preparation is key to performing well. Candidates should revisit the job advert and job profile, prepare structured examples from their experience, and research the organisation and service area. Interviews are also an opportunity for candidates to ask questions and decide whether the role and organisation are right for them. Any additional requirements, such as presentations or tests, will be shared before you attend the interview.
Attending an interview a candidate should arrive early and dress well to create a positive first impression. When answering the interviewers questions following the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action and Result) will help you structure your responses to show your impact, not just duties. Following the method will help you respond concisely, and avoid missing out the most relevant information. At the end of the interview you will likely be asked whether you have any questions, it is helpful to have some prepared before you attend. This is your opportunity to ask more about the role and learn how others view their experience working there.
What Happens After you Receive a Job Offer
Once you have been offered a position, the employer will support you through their welcome process, commonly known as ‘onboarding’. This takes place before your start date and is designed to introduce you to the organisation, helping you feel prepared and confident before you begin.
The process usually involves pre-employment checks, such as references and right-to-work verification, completing any required paperwork, and taking part in an induction. This induction typically covers your role, your team, key systems, and the organisation’s values. You may also be asked to complete mandatory training. Overall, onboarding ensures you are well-informed, supported, and ready to start your new role.
Strengthen Your Skills for Future Roles
If you are not ready to apply for a role or would like to strengthen your experience, there are a range of development opportunities available. These tools can help boost your personal and professional development before applying for roles.
Volunteering can help you gain practical skills and contribute to your community. Work experience days and placements can also provide valuable insight into public sector roles and working environments, helping you make informed career decisions.
The Open University also provides free courses online to help you grow your skills. Check out what courses they currently have available for everyone to access.
Listed below are some sections that are useful for Public Sector roles. Click each to find out more and be directed to the courses.
Employability Skills
These courses are designed to develop your employability and boost your career prospects. From how to write a CV or skills to succeed in the workplace. Completing these courses will help strengthen yours skills before your job search.
Social Work
Interested in working in the Social Work sector. These courses are made for those wanting to learn more or advance their knowledge in Social Care. They can help you gain an insight into what is required in this career and decide whether this sector is for you.
Work Skills
These courses focus on different skills that are relevant in the workplace. From computing to working in a team, completing these courses will help you feel prepared for when you join a new job.
Money and Business
Interested in a career in finance or business? This section of courses can help you learn more about working in a money and business role, boosting your knowledge for when you apply for these roles. They can also help you feel more prepared if you receive an interview for a job in this sector.
Digital and Computing
Lots of jobs across the public sector require you to use technology and computers. These courses are a great way to build your confidence in this area. They range from an introduction to computers to digital communications.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section provides answers to the most common questions that candidates have when writing applications, applying for jobs and attending interviews.
If your new to the whole application process or haven't used greater.jobs to apply for job roles before, you'll likely find the guidance you need below.
How do I create an Account on greater.jobs?
To apply for roles on greater.jobs you will need to create an online account. This allows you to complete application forms, save roles, set up job alerts, and track the progress of your applications. To create an account go to the login section on our homepage, then select the authority you are applying with.
Can I save my Application and return to it later?
Yes. Most application forms allow you to save your progress and return to complete it before the closing date. We recommend saving your work regularly and submitting your application well before the deadline where possible.
What happens after the Closing Date?
After the closing date, applications are reviewed by the recruiting organisation. Shortlisting is based on how well candidates meet the essential criteria outlined in the job specification or role profile. Due to the volume of applications received, this process may take some time.
Will I receive Feedback if I am not Shortlisted?
Feedback is not always available at the shortlisting stage due to limited capacity. Organisations typically provide feedback following interviews. Details about how feedback will be given are usually included in any communication sent after the interviews have been completed.
How long will it take to hear if I have been Shortlisted?
Timescales vary between organisations and roles. Shortlisting and interview dates are often included in the job advert as an indication, but delays can occur. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly using the details provided in your application.
Can I make changes to my Application after submitting it?
Once an application has been submitted, it usually cannot be changed. Before submitting, take time to review your answers carefully to ensure they clearly demonstrate how you meet the role requirements.
Setting Up Job Alerts
Job alerts are a useful way to stay informed when suitable roles are not immediately available. These can be set up on our 'Search and Apply' page. By selecting your preferred criteria, such as location, job type, or salary range, you can receive email notifications when relevant opportunities are advertised. This ensures you do not miss new roles and reduces the need to repeatedly search the site.
Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester
Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Get in Touch
For questions about a specific role, contact details for the recruiting manager are provided within individual job adverts. This is the best option for role‑related queries before applying. For technical issues or general recruitment questions, each authority’s locality page includes a contact option to reach the relevant recruitment team.
Getting in touch early can help you feel confident and supported throughout the process.
We encourage all candidates to use this guidance alongside individual job adverts and organisation pages on greater.jobs for the most accurate and role‑specific information.
Stay Safe
Important Notice: greater.jobs will never contact you via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or any other messaging or social media platform, or ask for personal details through unofficial links.
All vacancies are live on our website, https://greater.jobs, and you must apply via the application method outlined on the advertisement.