Applying for a role with South Cambridgeshire District Council involves a few important steps to help us fairly assess your suitability for the position.

Completing Your Application

Accessing the Form

The job advert will include a link to the online application form.

Application Form Only

Shortlisting decisions are based solely on your application form. Please note that CVs are not accepted.

Submission Deadline

Make sure you check the closing date and time and submit your application in good time. We reserve the right to close a position as soon as a suitable applicant is found, so please don't delay your application.

Notification Process

You can view the current stage of your application online, if you haven’t heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, unfortunately your application has not been successful.

What We’re Looking For

Skills and Experience

Review the job advert, job description, and person specification to identify the skills, knowledge, and experience required. Clearly demonstrate how you use these skills now and how you’ve applied them in previous roles or situations.

Transferable Skills

Don’t overlook relevant experience from voluntary work, domestic responsibilities, community involvement, or other non‑paid roles.

Experience & Skills

Essential Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting, you must meet the essential criteria on the application form. 

Demonstrating Your Experience

Carefully read the person specification and link your experience directly to the required criteria. Use specific examples that clearly show your capability. 

Use of AI in Applications

We recognise that AI tools, such as text generators, can assist in writing applications. While you’re welcome to use these tools for support, we encourage you to ensure your answers reflect your own voice, experience, and achievements.

Please be aware that if we receive multiple applications with identical or near identical content, particularly in supporting statements, we may not be able to shortlist those applications. Maintaining authenticity helps us fairly assess each candidate’s suitability.

References

Employer Reference

We require a reference from your current or most recent employer. For roles needing a DBS check, references must cover the last three years of employment.

Guaranteed Interview Schemes

If you are applying under the Disability Confident, Armed Forces, or Care Leavers scheme, please complete the relevant section of the application form. Applicants who meet the essential criteria will be invited to interview.

Good luck with your application!

If you have any specific questions or need additional support to complete your application, please contact us at scdcrecruitment@scambs.gov.uk.