Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled the responses to some commonly asked questions about applying for a role or working at East Surrey College. If you can’t find the response that you are looking for or need any further information please feel free to contact us on 01737 772611 (option 3) or email recruitment@esc.ac.uk.

What will the selection process be?

The selection process can vary depending on the position, but if you are successful in being shortlisted for the role you have applied for, you will be invited to attend an interview at the College. As part of this process, you may be asked to do a test (maybe an IT test or another type of test relevant to the role), a micro-teach or a presentation. You will also be required to complete a numeracy and literacy test. You will receive all the details for this in your invite to interview correspondence.

The recruitment team will complete a social media check on all candidates who are shortlisted for interview. In the event that information of concern is identified, this will be noted and you will be given the opportunity to discuss it during the interview

When you come for your interview, you will meet the recruiting manager for the role and the rest of the interview panel which will be a total of two to four people, depending upon the role. Sometimes a decision is made after one round of interviews. At other times, you will need to come back to the College to attend a second round of interviews or further tests or assessments. If you are successful at this stage, then you will be contacted after the interviews and given a conditional offer for the role.

What does ‘a conditional offer’ mean?

All offers of employment are subject to a number of checks being made satisfactorily to the College. Once a conditional offer has been made, the College will undertake background checks, which include taking up your references, checking your identity, sending your Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) form for processing and conducting appropriate medical checks.

The time this takes varies from person to person. It is always a good idea to inform your referees beforehand so they will be expecting us to contact them, which can greatly speed up the process.

You will also be required to complete a medical form and may be required to undergo a health assessment, to ensure that you are fit to carry out the role and to let us know if there are any adjustments that we need to make to enable you to carry out your job.

What type of job opportunities do you offer?

We offer a full range of Teaching, Support and Management roles across the College. We offer full time and part time roles which may fall into permanent, sessional or term time only contracts.

What does a ‘Sessional’ contract mean?

A Sessional contract is for a variable number of hours as we need flexibility and the hours for this type of work will fluctuate. Staff on this type of contract will be added to our ‘bank’ of staff on a flexible, zero hours contract. Once on our bank of staff you will be allocated hours as and when they are available.

Sessional teaching staff are paid an hourly rate that takes into account the extra duties required of a lecturer. These would include preparation, marking, administration etc.

Benefits

There is a comprehensive list of all the benefits that are offered to employees at the College here Benefits

Will my application be considered if I’m a non-EU resident?

Yes. The College will consider all applications received. However we are required to check that all of our employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to provide evidence of this.

We will need to see a valid working visa or residence permit as part of our background check.

Will my referees be contacted before I receive a job offer?

Not usually. Your referees will be contacted once we have made a conditional offer of employment, however, we may take up your references unless you have indicated that we may not do so on your application.

We will ask you for employment references covering the last 3 years of your employment history, one of which must be your current or most recent employer.

Is there any flexibility on interview dates/times?

With our current system we usually offer a choice of times for interviews on a particular day and you will be asked to login to your account and choose a selected time which best suits you.

In the majority of cases we are unable to re-schedule an interview date as it is very difficult to get the panel together for more than one date to conduct interviews due to time restraints and resources. However if the panel do not recruit from the current round of interviews we will contact you regarding an alternative date to interview if you are still interested.

If you are unable to attend your interview please email recruitment@esc.ac.uk stating which role you are being interviewed for, the time, your reason for not attending.

Please note: The College is unable to reimburse any interview expenses you may occur.