Before you apply
Looking to take the next step in your career with us? Before you begin your application, it’s helpful to know what to expect. Here, you’ll find all the details you need to guide you through the process smoothly—from creating your account to submitting your application.
If you’ve found a job you’d like to apply for, first you’ll create a careers account. After you register and set a password, you’ll need to confirm your email address by clicking the link we email to your inbox – this is a really important step, so don’t overlook it!
Once your careers account is registered, you’ll be able to apply for jobs, check back to see how your application is progressing, book interview times and withdraw your application if needed. You’ll also be able to sign up for job alerts so you’ll be notified as soon as a new job is on offer.
The application process is straightforward and mainly involves filling in some details and uploading your CV.
We normally leave our job adverts up for two weeks. However, if there’s lots of interest we might take it down early.
Usually, we’ll complete our selection process within two or three weeks after the advert closes.
We pride ourselves on being an accessible, equal opportunities employer. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know by emailing peopleservices@accentgroup.org.
This might include:
- sending you interview questions and tasks ahead of an interview
- a sign language interpreter
- braille, audio and other alternative document formats
- accessibility software for any tests during your application
Five top tips to give your CV a facelift
If you’ve not updated your CV in a while, applying for a job with us might be a great moment to give it a tune-up to show off your relevant skills and experience.
1. Make it clear and concise
Make sure your CV is easy to scan, with clear sections, headers and bullet points instead of long paragraphs of text.
2. Keep it relevant
It’s a good idea to give your CV an update before applying for any job. Check it against the skills and requirements listed in the job description, then personalise it with your most relevant skills and experience.
3. Don’t forget your awards and achievements
What makes you stand out from other candidates? Make sure you include any achievements, awards you’ve won or been nominated for, or ways you’ve succeeded or made a difference in previous roles.
4. Stay anonymous
Avoid putting personal information other than contact details in your CV, which helps guard against potential unconscious bias during the hiring process.
5. Mention any unpaid work
If you’ve got any relevant volunteering experience, don’t forget to include it!
After you’ve applied
Once your application is submitted, our hiring team will review your suitability based on the job criteria. If you’re shortlisted, we’ll be in touch. Depending on the role, the next step may involve an interview, or a role-related assessment.
Our hiring managers will review your suitability for the role and how well you meet the criteria set out in the job description. If you’ve been shortlisted for the job, we’ll be in touch. We don’t offer any feedback at this stage.
The next step depends on the role you’ve applied for, this might include a job interview, where we’ll want to find out more about your skills and how well you align with our company values. It might also include a role-related assessment.
This usually happens after the advert has closed.
Sometimes, we ask applicants to complete an assessment as well as an interview, which helps us measure how well they would handle the responsibilities of the job.
If you’re asked to do this, just be yourself and don’t overthink it!
An assessment might include:
- analysing and interpreting information
- a group discussion (make sure you participate as much as possible, as we can only assess you on your contribution)
- roleplay
- giving a presentation
- a psychometric assessment
Why join the Accent team?
We’re proud to offer Accent staff a range of great benefits, opportunities and types of support to help them thrive in their roles. We want them to feel motivated, inspired and supported.
Here’s what you can expect if you decide to join the Accent team.
Preparing for your job interview
When you come in for your interview, we’ll ask you questions about how well your skills match the job description. We’ll also be looking to find out more about how you handle certain situations, and how well we think you’ll fit in with Accent. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a perfect fit!
There are plenty of things you can do to prepare yourself to have a great job interview. If you’re feeling nervous, don’t worry – it’s completely normal! Take some deep breaths and try to stay calm.
- Plan your route
Running late, or getting lost will make you feel stressed before your interview, so plan ahead and leave yourself extra time to travel if you’re meeting us in person. - Microsoft Teams
If you’re having a virtual interview, it’ll most likely be on Teams. Make sure you’ve got a quiet place to do your interview where you’ll be undisturbed, and ensure your device is charged and has good connectivity. If you have a phone, make sure you have a way to keep it propped up. - Do your research
Look around our website beforehand and think about why you’d like to join, as we might ask this. You can also have a look at your interviewer’s profile on LinkedIn. - Plan your answers
Make sure you’re familiar with the role requirements, and make sure you’ve prepared plenty of relevant examples of your experience. - Practise the STAR interview technique
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Actions, and Results. It’s a great way to give specific examples of when you did well in previous roles. There are lots of examples online. - Prepare your own questions
Don’t forget, the interview is a two-way conversation. You also should have questions ready for us, to make sure we’re right for you. - Bring a pen and paper
Just in case you need to jot down any questions or notes during your interview. - Do a test run of any presentations
If you’ve been asked to present, make sure you practise it out loud to make sure it’s not too long or too short. - Tell us any pre-booked holiday dates
If you’re successful in your application, we need to know if you’re going to be away.
Here are some example questions you might like to prepare ahead of time, which align with our brand values of being caring, driven, smart and inclusive:
- tell us about a time when you have delivered exceptional customer service
- how do you handle disagreements or conflicts while staying true to your authentic self
- describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a coworker
- can you give an example of a time where you’ve stood up for your own opinions and got others to accept your judgement?
- give an example of when you have had to work to a challenging deadline
- can you give an example of a time when you’ve interpreted a rule, standard or procedure creatively and more flexibly?
- tell us about a time when you have built trust with a customer who is not engaging.
- can you give us an example of a time when you’ve had to cope with a significant set back at work?
- tell me about a time where you needed to influence different stakeholders who had different agendas
- detail a time when you had to collaborate with someone who had a completely different working style
- tell us about a time when you have taken steps to ensure that everyone (in your class, on your team, in your organisation) felt included
- describe a time when you had to help resolve a conflict between two colleagues or students
Caring
We’re genuine people that care.
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We’re compassionate
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We’re authentic
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We’re customer-centric
Driven
We do whatever it takes to get it right.
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We take ownership and accountability
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We keep our promises
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We’re solutions-focused
Smart
We challenge ourselves to improve every day.
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We’re curious
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We admit and learn from our mistakes
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We give and receive feedback openly
Inclusive
We are inclusive
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We’re collaborative
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We respect and celebrate difference
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We value different perspectives
We don’t have strict rules about what to wear at the office and encourage our staff to wear clothes that show their individuality.
However, we are a professional workplace, so please avoid jeans or sportswear for your interview.
If you're successful
Congratulations – you’ve got the job. Next, our hiring manager will give you a ring to offer you the role over the phone and agree on a start date.
After this, our people services team will email you with everything you need to read before you begin, like onboarding documentation.
Once we’ve completed any outstanding checks, your new line manager will get in touch to let you know what to do on your first day, like where you should go and who you’ll be meeting.
Pre-booked holidays
Please let us know during the interview if you’ve already got holidays booked.
We’ll do everything we can to accommodate your dates, but sometimes it’s not possible because of induction training.
Your probation period
At Accent, all our new colleagues complete a six-month probation period.
