Thank you for considering a job opportunity with West Midlands Combined Authority. Our recruitment process is designed to not only assess your suitability for the role but also provide you with insights into what it's like to work with us. We prioritise openness, honesty, and fairness throughout the process. Here's what you can expect:
Start by thoroughly reviewing the job advert and job description. When you're ready, submit your application through our online platform.
To apply for a job with WMCA, you will first need to create an account via our recruitment portal. The information you provide in your profile will form part of your application.
You will have the opportunity to upload a CV when you create an account. Doing so will auto-populate the career and education sections in your profile. We don't see your CV once you have applied, and so it is important to take time to review these sections to make sure they include details of your past roles and responsibilities.
You will be asked to provide a Supporting Statement showcasing your skills and experiences and how you would be suited to the role. We will use this when we are assessing your application. We recommend that you first draft your Supporting Statement in a Word document. You can then copy and paste it into the application form.
Once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes to it, so please make sure to check all details before clicking submit.
Once we receive your application, a member of the recruitment team will carefully review it against the job requirements.
If your application meets the essential criteria, it will then be submitted to the recruiting manager for further consideration. Applications will then be shortlisted based on how they meet the person specification for the role.
Rest assured, each application is evaluated equally, regardless of whether you've applied to us before.
If you meet our requirements, we'll invite you for an interview. This could be conducted virtually via MS Teams or in-person at one of our locations. We'll notify you of the interview format when confirming the details.
During the structured, evidence-based interview, we'll assess your skills, experience, and motivation for the role. Feel free to prepare questions for us as well, as we value your active participation in the process.
For some jobs, we use behavioural and cognitive assessments to help us gain insight into your behavioural tendencies and cognitive capabilities, enabling us to make informed decisions during the selection process.
Again, we'll always let you know when we confirm interview arrangements.
In some cases, we may request a second interview. This final stage might involve a presentation, an opportunity to meet your potential team, and potentially someone from another department. It's an excellent chance to delve deeper into the role, ask further questions, and ensure alignment between both parties.
If you are successful following your interview, the recruiting manager will contact you with the good news. It is normal for us to offer a role with a salary towards the lower end of the advertised range. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.
Upon accepting our verbal offer, we'll provide you with a conditional offer letter. This is all done on-line via our recruitment management system.
Please note that finalising your employment is subject to pre-employment checks, including Right to Work verification, referencing, and, if applicable, a security vetting check. Once all checks are satisfactory, we'll confirm your start date and send you the final offer and contract of employment.
Our aim is to provide feedback to candidates who have been interviewed. Due to high applicant numbers, feedback will not be provided at the shortlisting stage.
On your first day, you'll be invited to a 'welcome session' with someone from our HR team. These sessions are for all new starters and take place twice a month, typically on a Monday. Welcome sessions are held at our office on Summer Lane and last approximately 2 hours, with a welcome lunch included.
You’ll collect your IT equipment, meet other new starters, and be shown how to do things like book holiday and provide your bank details.
We value your interest in joining WMCA, and we're committed to ensuring a transparent and engaging recruitment experience. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any changes to the application or recruitment process, as a reasonable adjustment, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).
Good luck with your application, and we look forward to the possibility of working together soon!