Guaranteed Interview Scheme – Veterans and Reservists

Charnwood Borough Council has committed to being a Reserve Forces friendly employer.

The Council recognises it has a role to play in helping reservists and those leaving the Armed Forces (veterans) to fulfil their potential in civilian life. To support veterans and reservists, the Council has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans and Reservists which also includes spouses or civil partners of current service personnel as one of a range of measures introduced through the Council’s Armed Forces Operational Board.

Scope

The Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans and Reservists will operate for all external recruitment. This scheme has no bearing on redeployment, redundancy selection or organisational reorganisations.

Purpose

This scheme recognises that veterans and reservists can bring valuable transferable skills, qualities and benefits, including:

• Communication skills
• Organisational skills and commitment
• Problem solving and adaptability
• Leadership and management skills
• Health and safety / security awareness
• Team working skills

The Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans and Reservists is a commitment that the Council has made to support the Armed Forces Community Covenant. This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any veterans and Reservists that meet the essential criteria set out in the job profile for roles that are advertised externally.

The scheme does not guarantee a job for an applicant that meets the eligibity criteria. The recruitment and selection procedures will ensure the most suitable candidate for the job is appointed, based on the selection criteria of the job profile.

Eligibility

The following applicants are eligible for the Guaranteed Interview Scheme where:

• They meet the essential criteria set out in the job profile, and
• If a veteran,the Armed Forces were their last long term substantive employer.
• The applicant is a member of the reserve forces (regular or voluntary).
• The applicant is the spouse or civil partner of current service personnel within the armed forces.

Recruitment and Selection

Advertising

The Council has agreed to advertise relevant jobs on the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) website and the Forces Families Jobs website in addition to normal advertising processes.

Shortlisting

The recruiting manager must check the application form to see if the applicant has declared that they are a veteran, reservist, spouse or civil partner of current service personnel. Any applicant who meets the eligibility criteria set out above, including the essential criteria for the role, must be offered an interview alongside other applicants that meet the essential criteria.

Interviewing

The Veterans Military Service Records pack should be checked by the Recruiting Manager at interview. This pack will outline the veteran’s military service record, alongside their skills and experience.

Feedback

An unsuccessful candidate will be provided with feedback from the Recruiting Manager, if requested.

Where a candidate has falsely claimed to be a veteran, reservist, spouse or civil partner as detailed in this policy, an offer of employment may be withdrawn.