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How we hire

How we hire

How we hire

As a faith-based organisation, our values and Christian ethos shape the way we work and serve. Most roles are open to people of all backgrounds who share our values and are able to support our mission. In some roles, however, there may be an occupational requirement for the successful candidate to be a practising Christian, a Salvationist, or to meet another specific requirement where this is essential to the role.

Occupational requirements are only applied where they are necessary, proportionate and directly linked to the nature of the role. Where this applies, it will be clearly explained in the job advert and assessed as part of a fair and transparent recruitment process.

Recruitment Process

Whether this is your first role with The Salvation Army or the next step in your career, we value the skills, experience, values and potential you can bring to our work.

We want every candidate to feel informed and supported throughout recruitment. This page explains what to expect when applying for a role with The Salvation Army, how decisions are made, and how to request support or reasonable adjustments at any stage.

  • 1

    Explore our opportunities

    Our vacancies are advertised on our career’s page and, where appropriate, through other job boards or media. Each advert includes key information such as the role, location, working hours, salary, closing date and essential requirements.

    Before you apply, take a little time to read the job profile and person specification. These will help you decide whether the role is a good match and will guide you in preparing your application.

  • 2

    Tell us about yourself

    When you apply, we will ask you to share information about your experience, skills and achievements. Your application is your opportunity to show how you meet the requirements of the role, so try to include clear examples from your work, volunteering, education or life experience.

    You do not need to use complicated language. We simply want to understand what you have done, what you have learned, and how this could help you succeed in the role.

    If you need the application process in a different format, or if there is anything we can do to help you take part fully, please see our guidance here or email the Recruitment Team at Careers@Salvationarmy.org.uk as early as possible. We reserve the right to close adverts early if we receive sufficient applications.

  • 3

    Shortlisting

    After the closing date, anonymised applications are reviewed against the criteria in the person specification. We use a consistent shortlisting process, so candidates are assessed fairly on the information they provide. Shortlisting is completed by more than one member of the hiring team.

    If you are shortlisted, we will email you with details of the next stage. If you are not shortlisted, we will let you know by email as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback at this stage.

  • 4

    Interviews and assessments

    If you are invited to interview, we will tell you the format, who you will meet, where it will take place, and whether any assessment, presentation or task is required. Interviews may be held in person or online.

    Our interviews help us understand your skills, experience, approach and values, while giving you the opportunity to learn more about the role and The Salvation Army. We aim to make the process clear, fair and consistent for everyone. We encourage you to ask questions and to think about whether the opportunity feels right for you too.

  • 5

    Support and Reasonable adjustments

    We are committed to inclusive recruitment and will make reasonable adjustments where needed. If you have a disability, health condition, neurodivergence or access need that may affect your participation, please let us know so we can discuss how best to support you.

    The Salvation Army is a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for a vacancy are guaranteed an interview, in line with the Disability Confident scheme.

    Please see the attached guidance for additional information: here

  • 6

    Receiving an outcome

    After the interview or assessment, the panel will review the evidence and make a decision. We will contact candidates with the outcome as soon as possible.

    If you are successful, we will explain the next steps clearly. If you are not successful, we hope the experience has still been positive and helpful, and feedback may be provided upon request.

  • 7

    Your conditional offer and pre-employment checks

    If you are offered a role, the offer will be conditional while we complete the necessary pre-employment checks. The checks required will depend on the role and location and will be confirmed in your conditional offer letter.

    A criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from working with us. Where checks are required, we will provide clear instructions and consider information fairly, proportionately and in relation to the role.

  • 8

    Starting with us

    Once all conditions have been met and approved, we will agree a start date with you and you will receive an unconditional offer letter, contract and onboarding information. When you join, your induction and probation period will help you settle in, understand your role, and learn about our mission, values, policies and ways of working.

  • 9

    Our commitment to you

    • We will treat your application confidentially and fairly.
    • We will assess candidates against the requirements of the role.
    • We will make reasonable adjustments where possible so candidates can participate fully.
    • We will aim to keep you informed about the progress of your application.
    • We will do our best to ensure every candidate has a positive and respectful recruitment experience, in line with Salvation Army values.
Vetting and Disclosures

Vetting and Disclosures

The Salvation Army is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming recruitment process. We value the different experiences, skills and potential that each person brings, and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with criminal records.

Rehabilitation of offenders guide
Faith and Occupational Requirements

Faith and Occupational Requirements

As a faith-based organisation, our values and Christian ethos shape the way we work and serve. Most roles are open to people of all backgrounds who share our values and are able to support our mission. In some roles, however, there may be an occupational requirement for the successful candidate to be a practising Christian, a Salvationist, or to meet another specific requirement where this is essential to the role.

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Occupational requirements are only applied where they are necessary, proportionate and directly linked to the nature of the role. Where this applies, it will be clearly explained in the job advert and assessed as part of a fair and transparent recruitment process.

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Examples may include roles that involve leading Christian worship, providing spiritual or pastoral leadership, discipling others in the Christian faith, supporting candidates for officership, developing faith-based content, or representing The Salvation Army in a formal chaplaincy role.

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In some circumstances, an occupational requirement may also apply where a role requires someone of a particular sex to provide sensitive support, such as counselling for people affected by domestic abuse.

FAQs

How can I get notifications of new vacancies?

You can sign up for job alerts on our careers website. We’ll let you know when roles that match your interests become available, so you do not miss an opportunity to join our work.

What will my application be accessed against?

We assess applications against the criteria in the role profile, including the ‘You will have’ and ‘You may have’ sections. These criteria help us understand how your skills, experience and values match the role.

How do I apply?

To apply, open the vacancy you are interested in and follow the instructions on the advert. The advert will tell you what we need from you and guide you through each step.

What is the application process?

Our application process is designed to be clear, fair and accessible. You can read more on this in the Recruitment Process information on this page, which provides guidance about each stage of the process and how to prepare.

How do you shortlist?

We use anonymised shortlisting to help make our process fair and consistent. At least two panel members review each application against the criteria in the role profile. When you apply, focus closely on the ‘You will have’ and ‘You may have’ sections and share clear examples that show what you can bring.

When am I likely to hear a response to my application?

We aim to update every candidate as soon as we can. Some managers review applications as they arrive, while others may wait until the vacancy closes. If we receive a high number of applications, it may take a little longer, but we will let you know the outcome.

Will I receive feedback on my application?

We receive many applications, so we are not always able to give feedback at application stage. If you attend an interview and are not successful, we will make feedback available to support your next steps.

Can I save my application and return to it later?

In most cases, you can save your application and return to it before the closing date. Give yourself enough time to check your answers and submit your application with confidence. Please do note that we do reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier the closing date if we feel we have received sufficient applications.

What information will I need before I start my application?

Before you start, gather your employment history, education or qualification details, and examples that show how you meet the role profile. It can also help to draft your supporting statement before you complete the form.

Do I need to upload a CV, complete an application form, or both?

This depends on the role. When you click apply you will be notified what is required to complete the application process.

Can I apply for more than one vacancy at the same time?

Yes. If more than one role feels right for you, you are welcome to apply. Tailor each application to the specific role profile so we can see how your skills and experience match each opportunity.

What should I include in my supporting statement?

Use your supporting statement to tell us how your skills, knowledge and experience match the role profile. Share clear examples from work, volunteering, education or lived experience where relevant. We want to understand what you can bring and the difference you can make.

How can I show that I meet the criteria in the role profile?

Use the ‘You will have’ and ‘You may have’ criteria as your guide. For each point, give a clear example of what you did, how you did it and the result. This helps us see your strengths clearly and fairly.

What happens after I submit my application?

After you submit your application, we will review it as part of our shortlisting process. We will contact you with the outcome. If you are shortlisted, we will explain the next stage and what you need to do.

Can I make changes after I have submitted my application?

Once you submit your application, you cannot make changes in the system. Please check your application carefully before submitting it.

Who can I contact if I have a question about my application?

If you have a question please feel free to contact us via email at Careers@Salvationarmy.org.uk or call us on 020 72362070 (Mon to Fri 08:30 – 16:30 exc bank holidays).

What should I do if I experience technical difficulties when applying?

If something is not working, first check that you have completed all required fields. You can also try refreshing your browser or using a different browser. If the issue continues, contact us via email at Careers@Salvationarmy.org.uk or call us on 020 72362070 (Mon to Fri 08:30 – 16:30 exc bank holidays).

Can I request adjustments during the recruitment process?

Yes. We want our recruitment process to be open, fair and accessible. If you need an adjustment at any stage, please tell us. We will listen and work with you to understand what support may help.

When should I tell you about any adjustments I may need?

Please tell us as early as you can, especially if you are invited to interview or assessment. This gives us time to talk with you about your needs and put suitable support in place where possible.

What can I expect if I am invited to interview?

If we invite you to interview, we will send the date, time, location or online meeting details, and anything you need to prepare. The interview is a chance for us to learn more about you and for you to find out whether the role is right for you.

How should I prepare for an interview?

Read the advert and role profile carefully. Think of examples that show how you meet the criteria and prepare any questions you would like to ask. You may also want to reflect on what draws you to the role and to the work of The Salvation Army.

Will the interview questions be based on the role profile?

Yes. Interview questions will usually link to the role profile and the criteria for the role. This helps us assess candidates in a fair, consistent and transparent way.

Will I need to complete any assessments or tasks as part of the process?

Some roles include an assessment, presentation, test or practical task. If this applies, we will tell you in advance and give you clear instructions so you know what to expect.

What pre-employment checks will be required if I am offered the role?

If we offer you a role, the checks we need will depend on the vacancy. These may include references, right to work checks, proof of qualifications, occupational health checks or a disclosure check where the role requires it. We outline the specific checks at the bottom of our adverts.

How will my personal information be used during the recruitment process?

We use the personal information you provide to manage your application and recruitment process. We handle your information securely and in line with our privacy requirements. You can find more detail in our candidate privacy notice.

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