What is the application process?

As part of the graduate recruitment process, we are using a Strengths Framework. This describes the behaviours we are looking for that is linked to each of our core values. We will use these strengths in our recruitment and will support you to develop these behaviours once you start with us.

When applying for one of our graduate roles, it’s important that you can demonstrate your skills and how they link to our Strengths Framework. You can do this by including the information in the supporting statement section within the application form. 

To make sure you can demonstrate each strength in a structured way, we suggest you use the STAR method when writing your supporting statement. You can use examples from work, home, or volunteering, so don’t limit yourself. We have included information on how to use the STAR method in our 'How to write a supporting statement' guide.

By using the STAR method, it will give us a clear overview of your strengths and skills:

• Situation - Describe a situation or problem;
• Task - Highlight the task you had to accomplish;
• Action - Tell us what actions you took to achieve the task;
• Result - Show the result, what you achieved and what you learned.

When writing your supporting statement, it’s important that you can demonstrate your skills and how they link to our Strengths Framework. We would recommend applying the STAR method when writing your supporting statement. We have included information on how to use the STAR method in our 'How to write a supporting statement' guide.

Each strength is linked to one of our core values. These are the strengths that you will need demonstrate in your application form:

Adaptable

Core value: Working as one team

• You can adapt to variations in work or environment.
• You are flexible and versatile and act as an advocate for change.

Focussed

Core value: Focus on our customers

• You strive for quality outcomes, have a business insight and aspire to achieve excellence in everything you do.

Learner

Core value: Listen to improve

• You are inquisitive, you seek out new information and look for new ways to develop yourself.

Improver

Core value: Strive for excellence

• You can analyse information and bring a fresh perspective whatever the situation or context.
• You see other people’s views and can appreciate that there are many angles to consider.

Relationship Builder

Core value: Act with integrity

• You quickly establish mutual respect and trust, building long lasting relationships with others.

Catalyst

Core value: Take personal responsibility

• You are self-motivated to achieve goals.
• You are confident using your own initiative to take actions forward.

If you are successful in being shortlisted, you may be required to complete an on-line assessment before attending an Assessment Centre.  Assessments are considered to be a fair and accurate way of selecting candidates by offering you the opportunity to demonstrate a wide range of job related strengths over a period of time.

Our Assessment Centre aims to provide you with a meaningful, realistic work related experience that will allow you to be engaged and demonstrate your true potential. It will provide insights to how we support opportunities for learning and development, whilst ensuring that there’s good alignment between your individual ambitions and our organisational requirements and values.

We will provide you with a timetable outlining the activities, together with instructions for each exercise and the resources available to you.

Typically our Assessment Centre includes:

• Simulation exercises e.g. group activities
• Written/Verbal Language Assessment
• Presentation
• Strengths based interview with a panel

If you are successful at the Assessment Centre, you will be invited for a formal interview with the department.

These Assessment Centre exercises are designed to assess your strengths. How you demonstrate these skills across a range of work related scenarios will inform the selection process and allow us to provide you with structured feedback.

This will be a real opportunity for you to showcase your strengths outlined in our Strength Framework, so you will want to be as prepared as possible.

As part of your preparation it is important for you to reflect on the job profile / person specification and be familiar with the strengths required at this level so that you can give examples, apply your skills and demonstrate how you align to our Core Values.

We would encourage you to familiarise yourself with our key organisational information. Here are some links that may be of use to you:

• A list of our Council Departments
• Working for us - Find out how the Council is structured, how we make our decisions and what our Core Values are.
• The Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 -  This determines our way of working and the 7 goals thread through everything we do.

If you show the strengths we are looking for at the Assessment Centre, you will then be invited to attend a formal interview with the department.

This interview is an opportunity to find out more about you, your interests and experience.  This will help us to see how well you will fit the job role.

To prepare for this stage it would be useful for you to do some research into the department and think about how you could use your skills, knowledge, and experience in the role.

Related links:

• Council departments