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How to apply

This page tells you how to apply for a job at Oxford University.

This guidance is for applicants external to the University, including college employees. Current University employees should apply via the Internal Job Board on HR self-service (VPN needed).

  1. Search and view University jobs via the  . Narrow your search by department or vacancy type, or to view all jobs, simply click ‘Search’ without setting any criteria.
  2. To apply for a specific job, click Apply Now on the 'Job Details' page and follow the on-screen instructions. This opens our online Applicant portal.
  3. If you haven't applied online for an Oxford University job before, you’ll need to register first - click Register Now. Otherwise, log into your existing account.
  4. The online application form includes up to 7 sections to complete, depending on the grade of the job. Fields which you must complete are marked with an asterisk (*). You'll be prompted to complete ‘Personal Details’ first. Click ‘Save and Continue’ to proceed.
  5. The Application Checklist will display; simply click on the section title to complete it in your preferred order. Completed sections will be marked with a tick.
  6. You can save your application and return to complete it later; click 'Save for Later' on the Application Checklist page.
  7. To continue with your application, log back in and click on 'My Applications' on the left-hand side menu. All applications must be received by 12.00 noon on the closing date stated in the job advert.
  8. Check your application thoroughly before submitting. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited. You will receive an email acknowledging your submission.

Support

Supporting Documents

Check the Job Description for specific requirements for additional documents for the position to which you are applying, eg a CV. Only upload the documents that have been requested. Any uploaded documents should be in PDF format, and include your name in the filename, along with a description of the document, for example:
'Chris Smith Supporting Statement.pdf'
'Chris Smith CV.pdf'

Documents must not be password-protected.  

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
 
  • Check your CV is up-to-date, including dates of employment, please indicate reasons for breaks in your career.
  • For Professional Services roles keep your CV short (1-3 pages). Academics and Researchers will normally have longer CVs.
  • Highlight the skills and experience that are relevant to the role for which you are applying. Avoid sending a generic CV.
  • Provide details of your education, employment history and voluntary experience.
  • Keep details brief for previous jobs with less relevance and focus on transferable skills gained, e.g customer services skills. · You may find the advice from our Careers Service on writing a CV useful, but be aware that this material is intended for our students applying for graduate-entry jobs and may therefore not be relevant for all roles.
 
Supporting Statement
 
The supporting statement must explain how you meet each requirement of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependants).
 
  • Structure your supporting statement clearly. For example you may want to list each of the criteria in turn, and explain briefly how your skills and experience match these requirements.
  • As far as possible, give us evidence that you have the skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications that match what is required for the role. Avoid just stating that you can do the tasks, instead give examples of things that you have done that demonstrate this instead. If you do not have the exact experience asked for, be honest about this and explain how you think your other skills are relevant or how you could address this gap.
  • It is fine to use examples from voluntary work or social activities, if relevant, eg 'I keep accounts for my local sports club'.
  • Keep your application honest and supported by evidence. At the same time do not be afraid of selling yourself, even if this feels unnatural. Use positive language and write in the first person, eg 'I demonstrated my excellent attention to detail when I handled all bookings for a national conference of 200 people'.
  • Explain any gaps in your employment history. For example tell us if you took a career break because of caring responsibilities eg 'I took a nine month career break to look after my elderly father who has dementia'. We recognise that people have varied career patterns.
  • Remember to check your spelling and grammar.

 

References

You will be asked to provide details of two or three referees. We will assume that we may approach your referees at any stage unless you tell us otherwise; please state clearly if you wish to be contacted before a referee is approached.

Ideally, your referees should be people who have direct experience of your work through working closely with you, and at least one of them should be your former line manager from your most recent job. Otherwise, they may be people who know you from recent college, school, or voluntary experience, and who have ideally acted in a supervisory capacity to you. Please tell us how each referee knows you.

  • Your referees should not be related to you.
  • If you have been previously employed by the University of Oxford, basic details, such as employment dates and the reason for leaving will be verified with your last employing department / unit.