Frequently Asked Questions
Page updated on: 06/03/2024
Your application will timeout after 30 minutes, this is for security reasons.
Please remember to save your application frequently to avoid losing any information.
If you have forgotten your details since registering you can click on the 'Forgotten your details?' link in the 'Your Account' box in the left-hand panel beneath our logo.
This will send a reminder email to you of your username or send you a temporary password.
If your account is frozen, please wait 30 minutes. After that period you will be able to attempt to log in again.
Your password and username are case sensitive and your password must be a minimum of 8 characters long, with a mix of uppercase, lowercase and at least 1 number.
If you're still experiencing problems, you might need to reset your login details. Alternatively, you can contact jobs@carmarthenshire.gov.uk and we will be able to reset your password during normal office hours.
We have been notified that some email accounts are having issues receiving our emails. Please check your Junk/Spam email folder and unblock any emails you've received from the following email accounts:
Certain posts in the council are ‘politically restricted’ which means that staff employed in these posts may not undertake political activities. Not all posts within the Council are politically restricted.
This policy stems from the long established tradition that local government employees should be seen to observe a policy of political neutrality and to ensure that the public can rely on impartial advice from those employees.
This policy is designed to reflect current legislative provisions in respect of politically restricted posts and is non-contractual.
Some users, in particular those using Samsung hardware have experienced problems accessing our 'Search Job Vacancies' page. A warning message appears informing the user that the web page security certificate is invalid. Please proceed through this message. The page is secure.
Unfortunately this is a device issue due to Google not updating the certificate store in Android correctly. We are working on getting the appropriate level of security certification on this page.
The language settings in your browser maybe set to English US. If you amend this language setting to English (United Kingdom) [en-GB], save and then close the browser and re-open it and the dates should format correctly.
The following forms do not retain the information you recorded in previous applications as you may need to tailor it to meet the requirements of each vacancy you apply for:
- References
- Language Skills
- Rehabilitation of Offenders
- Supporting Statement
- Declaration / Confirmation of Details
The qualifications including grade/level field will only accept up to 30 characters (no special characters). Please use meaningful abbreviations if necessary.
We suggest recording each qualification separately.
Please note: These details will only need to be entered once and the system will retain them for all future applications. If you feel you need to explain your abbreviations, please include this in your supporting statement.
Please do not send in your CV instead of an application form, as it will not be put forward for assessment. Also, please do not attach your CV to the application form as our assessment is based on the information provided in your application form only. This means we can assess your skills, etc. against another applicant’s in a fair and consistent way.
Please indicate what language skills you have. It is important that you indicate the level of fluency you have attained. Please refer to the person specification to find out what level of fluency is required and use the following for guidance in assessing your own skills.
LEVEL 1
Listening / Speaking
- Able to pronounce place names and personal names correctly.
- Able to greet customers at reception or on the phone.
- Able to open and close a conversation.
Reading
- Able to understand short text about a familiar topic when it is communicated in plain language, e.g. basic signs, simple instructions, includes agendas.
Writing
- Able to write personal names, place names, job titles and names of council departments.
LEVEL 2
Listening / Speaking
- Able to understand the core conversation.
- Able to receive and understand simple messages on normal patterns, e.g. time and place of a meeting, request to talk with someone.
- Able to convey basic information and simple instructions.
- Able to open and close conversations and meetings bilingually.
Reading
- Able to understand most short reports and instructions within the expertise of work, if there is sufficient time allowed.
Writing
- Able to produce a simple short message on paper or email for a colleague within the Council or a familiar colleague outside the Council.
LEVEL 3
Listening / Speaking
- Able to understand and participate in most normal day-to-day conversations in the office.
- Able to offer advice to the general public on issues relating to the post. Referring to specialised or technical terms in English.
- Able to contribute to a meeting or a presentation on general issues relating to the post; referring to specialised or technical terms in English.
Reading
- Able to understand most of the reports, documents and correspondence that would be expected to be discussed in the normal course of work.
Writing
- Able to prepare informal messages and reports for internal use.
LEVEL 4
Listening / Speaking
- Able to contribute effectively in internal and external meetings in the context of the work subject.
- Able to understand differences in tone and dialect.
- Able to argue for and against a particular case.
- Able to chair meetings and answer questions confidently.
Reading
- Able to understand formal correspondence and reports.
Writing
- Able to produce business correspondence, short reports, e-mails and promotional literature with editing assistance.
LEVEL 5
Listening / Speaking
- Able to contribute fluently and confidently with regard to all aspects of daily work, including negotiating and advising on technical, specialised or sensitive areas.
- Can contribute to meetings and provide presentations fluently and confidently.
Reading
- Able to understand reports, documents and articles linked to the normal course of work, including complex concepts expressed in convoluted language.
Writing
- Able to produce business correspondence, short reports, e-mails and promotional literature to an acceptable level with the aid of standard language tools.
- Able to draw up detailed notes while taking a full part in the meeting.
We are encouraging everyone to apply online. Applications will be accepted in other formats where an applicant has difficulty completing the online form as a result of disability, in those exceptional circumstances, we will make alternative arrangements to support you in the process. Please e-mail: Jobs@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
Pro-rata is the proportion of the full-time (37 hours) salary quoted if working Term Time or Part Time
A 4% allowance is paid to recognise Term time working.
An 8% allowance is paid if an employee regularly works 2 or more weekend days out of every 4 weeks.
Our career site is designed to support our candidates to find the best suitable opportunity we have available at any given time.
You can register on the Application Centre which allows you to view available vacancies; create job alerts to match the type of role you are looking for; make applications; view the status of completed applications; view all communication received; schedule interviews and even accept job offers.
Once you have registered, you can then press the ‘Apply’ button for any vacancy you are interested in and complete the application form.
Yes. When you register for the first time, you will be asked which language you would prefer to submit any applications in and receive any correspondence in. Be mindful though, once you have selected your preferred language, you will not be able to change it! You will have to re-register.
Yes. If the job is still open or is newly advertised job, and it has been at least six months since your last interview, and you’re welcome to apply for other open positions too.
We try to get back to everyone within a few weeks of applying. With more popular roles, this may take a bit longer. So please, bear with us.
Yes. You will receive email updates as your application progresses through the recruitment process and you can check the status of your application in the Application Centre.
We try to get back to everyone within a few weeks of applying. With more popular roles, this may take a bit longer. So please, bear with us.
Everyone who applies is given the same time and consideration. But there are a few things you can do to ensure your application shines. First, do your research and let us know why you are interested in joining the team. Second, pay close attention to the essential and desirable criteria we are looking for in the job profile, and make sure your application demonstrates how you meet them or what transfer skills you have could meet them.
Read our guide to How to write a supporting statement.
If you are an overseas national and currently do not have permission to work in the UK, you would need to apply for a visa to work in the UK.
We hold the relevant sponsorship licence to sponsor oversees workers. As holders of the licence there are certain legal obligations we must ascertain e.g., ensure that there is a labour shortage in the type of post that the applicant applies for; ensure that the salary for the post falls under the UK guidelines for sponsorship. Please read further guidance here https://www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers/types-of-licence
Alternatively, you can see the government website for all different visa options https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Yes, if you have a disability which makes it difficult for you to apply online, please contact the recruiting manager named in the job advert who can assist you and discuss other ways to apply.
The closing date for applications will be specified in the job advert, with the latest time for submission at 11.59pm (UK time) unless otherwise stated.
We are committed to ensuring that people are recruited based on merit, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief (including lack of belief), sex and sexual orientation. The information you are asked to provide will be separated from your application and will not be used as part of the selection process in any way.
Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage. This information will be treated in strict confidence and will only be used to help us monitor the effectiveness of our Equal Opportunities Policy.
Many biases are unconscious. A person can have the best of intentions and be completely unaware that subconscious preconceptions on their part are influencing who their gut tells them would be a good fit.
We adopt a ‘blind recruitment’ approach to shortlisting, which means recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made.
The Council is recognised by the Disability Confident Scheme and the Veteran Guaranteed Interview Scheme. This means that we have guaranteed that we will interview anybody with a disability, or is a veteran, who meets the essential criteria for the post and has opted to be considered under this scheme. As part of application, you will be asked to say if you wish to be considered under either of these schemes.
Your interview will normally involve a panel of multiple members of the team, but we try to limit it to three people, so that you do not feel overwhelmed. You may be required to prepare a presentation or undertake an exercise, but we will let you know what you need to do when we invite you to attend the interview.
It will depend on the job that you are applying for, but you will be told as part of the application process whether you will need to attend an assessment centre, be it in person or online, and the format of the assessment centre.
Your invite to interview letter will advise you want documentation you may be asked to bring along – this could include evidence of your right to work in the UK and any relevant qualifications, certification, or professional registrations.
There are several things you can do to prepare for your interview including:
Conduct your research – find out as much as you can about us, the department or division you are interviewing with, and who you will be interviewed by. Lots of information is available on our website, which you will find useful to know before you meet with the interview panel.
Analyse the job – familiarise yourself again with the Job Profile so that you are clear on what the job entails. The interview panel will be looking for evidence that you meet the criteria for the job as outlined in the Job Profile.
Think of specific examples – based on the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Profile, produce some specific examples from your current and previous work or experience that demonstrate to the interview panel that you are the best candidate for the job.
Read your application form – be prepared to explain or elaborate on details you provided when applying for the job.
Come ready with questions – this not only should you care about understanding more about us and the position you are applying for, but it is also demonstrating to the interview panel that you have done your research on us!
Get your documents ready – you will be advised in your interview invitation what to bring with you, such as evidence of your right to work in the UK, so ensure that you have the correct documentation ahead of your interview.
Check your connection and set up - if your interview is virtual, make sure you have a quiet space, a stable internet connection, and the right equipment for your call.
If your interview is in person, plan your journey – make sure you know where you are going for your interview and plan your route to get there, allowing for any potential transport delays. Bring the phone number of the person who invited you to the interview just in case you get lost or are running late.
Do not panic. Just let your interviewers know what is going on. If, for whatever reason, you cannot continue, send an email to everyone cc’d on your interview confirmation. That way we can reschedule for a later time or day.
We will try our best to get back to you within a few days, although this can sometimes take a little longer if multiple candidates are interviewing for the same role.
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