Questions to ask yourself before you apply

Are we right for you?

We want you to get to know us a little better before you apply. Take a look at our current collection and exhibitions and discover how we engage with our audiences. Explore our website, social media channels and get a feel for who we are and what we do. However, it is not all about us. Take a look at what we can offer you if you were to join us. We want you to be sure you are applying for an organisation you can see yourself in.

What do you want to do next in your career and why?

Think about your experience and skills. Ask yourself some questions to discover or reinforce your next move.

• What is the most rewarding job you've ever had? Why?

• Describe the best team you ever worked with. What made that experience stand out?

• What is something you learned that made everything that came after easier?

What we will ask of you

We want to take some of the unknown out of our recruitment journey and help you to feel supported throughout.   

The first step

As well as asking you to upload your CV to show us your skills and experience, you will be asked some quick questions to help us discover more about you and what you will bring to the role.  This will be your opportunity to stand out as well as tell us what you are looking for from us.

CV hints and tips:

• Tailor your skills and experience to the job description. Link your work to the role requirements.

• Be specific. Be clear in your role in the examples you give.

• If you've had a leadership role, tell us about it. How big was the team? What was the scope of your work?

• If you're a recent school leaver or college or university graduate or have limited work experience, include school-related projects or coursework that demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge.

• Keep it clear and simple. Two pages is more than enough.

Quick question hints and tips:

• Why you? Tell us why you want the job, explain why you feel you’d be suitable briefly detailing any relevant experience and skills that relate to the role.

• Use examples rather than repeating your CV and tailor your answers to the role.

• Keep it brief. Use short sentences or bullet points in your answers.

• Show us how you will add value and help us understand your motivation.

What’s next? 

Next steps may differ for different roles and different teams.  But some basics will apply whether you’re applying for to join our curatorial or visitor facing teams, or for a project or leadership role.   

• We will review all applications and get in touch with you to inform you of the next step for you in the recruitment journey. 
• If you are successful after the application review stage, we will arrange to meet you and invite you to an interview to see if you, the role and our team are a match. 
• This may be virtual or in person but either way it will be an opportunity for us to get to know you and you to get to know us a little better. 
• Typically, our interviews are based on a competency-based questions based on the role requirements, and open-ended questions to bring out your strengths and assess how you will fit with the team. 
• Interview tasks and assessments. We use a wide variety of assessment methods, because we hire all sorts of different people to do different kinds of jobs.  For some roles we may also ask you to complete an interview assessment or to prepare a presentation.  Full details will be given to you ahead of time by our Talent Acquisition team. 
• You’ll have the chance to ask us questions too.  Think about what you would most like to know to see if we are what you are looking for. 

Importantly, we are happy to support requests for adjustments to our recruitment journey for you. Just get in touch with our Talent Acquisition team to ask. 

Final step – decision and offer 

Our decision will be based on best fit for the role and for the team. We will review all the information you have provided to us throughout the recruitment journey to make our final decision. Again, you will hear from us either way.   

If you are our chosen candidate, our team will be in touch to discuss an offer of employment with you. You can find some housekeeping information on background checks we need to complete before you join us below. 

If you are not successful this time, please do stay in touch through our recruitment portal to hear about future vacancies you may want to consider. 

Some housekeeping 

Before you join us, our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch to carry out some pre-employment checks.   

Right to Work check 

All of our candidates must have the right to work in the U.K. and we will be in touch to do a document check. 

Basic Disclosure Scotland 

We ask all our colleagues to get a Basic Disclosure Scotland certificate before they start with us. 

Find out more 

References 

You will be asked for contact details for two referees, and we will ask for you before we get in touch with them. 

Pre employment health screening 

We will ask all potential new colleagues to complete a confidential health check with our independent occupational health provider.  This check helps us to develop an understanding of your health and how we can if necessary, support your continued health and wellbeing when working with us. 

Welcoming you 

As well as addressing the basics, where to go on your first day, who will meet you, etc, our onboarding process allows you to get to know us a little better.  You will be able to explore our strategy and aims further as well as discover what we are currently working on.  It’s also a chance for you to learn a little more about what it is like to work with us. 

Your new manager and our Talent Acquisition Team will guide you through onboarding to support you before your first day.