How to apply for a job in the HSE

When you see a job that interests you, it’s important to know exactly what to do next. The steps below will guide you through each stage of the application process. Following them carefully will give you the best chance of success and help make the journey as smooth as possible.

Read the job specification

The job specification gives important information about the job, including the experience, skills, and qualifications required.

Fill out the application form

Use the application form included in the job advert for the specific position. It is best to type your form using Arial, size 10 font.

Make sure to include all relevant experience and qualifications, as we can only consider the information provided on the form. Decisions about your suitability for the role are based entirely on what you write on the application form.

Follow the instructions carefully and make sure the form is completed in full. Incomplete forms will not progress to the next stage of the selection process.

Competency-based questions

If the form includes competency-based questions, use these sections to describe your skills, abilities and achievements. Each skill or competency area includes a short definition explaining what is meant by that heading.

When providing examples, include:

• the task, problem, or objective you were addressing
• what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality - also include the date where relevant
• the outcome or result, and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for it

Your answers should clearly demonstrate your skills, abilities, and achievements in each competency area.

Remember that if you are invited to interview, any information you provide on the form may be used for shortlisting, ranking, and discussed in more detail during the interview.

Information on completing competency based application forms

Ranking process

The information you provide on your application form may be used as part of a ranking process. This means a ranking board will score and rank applicants based on the details you include in your form.

Interviews may be held in phases, meaning applicants will be invited to interview according to their position in the ranking exercise.

Other important information

For each competency question, your answer should not be longer than 1 A4 page. Use Arial, size 10 font and keep within this limit.

If you need more space in the “Details of Employment” section, you can attach extra pages, but make sure they follow the same format as the application form.

If you want more information about the job, contact the person listed for informal enquiries in the job specification. You should read the Candidate Information document, which explains the recruitment process in detail.

Apply early and pay close attention to the closing date and time. Applications must be received by the stated closing date and time. There are no exceptions.

Submitting your application form

Applications can be unsigned, but you will need to sign the general declaration later in the process. This is included with your application form.

When sending your application form:

• send the form as an email attachment to the address listed on the application form
• do not send a link to Google Drive or any other personal cloud storage site
• the form must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format only
• Keep attachments under 3 MB so your email doesn’t get blocked

If you need to submit supporting documents that are larger than 3 MB, compress (zip) the files before sending them. Otherwise, we may not receive your email before the campaign closing date.

Allow at least 1 hour for your application to arrive by email. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted, and no exceptions will be made.

What happens next

We normally confirm receipt of your application within 2 working days.

If you have not received a response within this time, email the recruitment team to check that your application was received. We will not accept any applications after the closing date.

After the closing date, representatives from the profession or service, supported by the recruitment team, will review your application.

If you receive an invitation to interview, you can bring a paper copy of your application form with you.

We do not allow the use of mobile devices during the interview.