Candidate Support and Signposting
Engaging positively and consistently with candidates supports values‑based recruitment and helps ensure fairness, transparency and inclusion throughout the process. These resources support hiring managers to handle candidate enquiries in a way that reflects NHS Scotland values and Once for Scotland recruitment principles.
Handled well, candidate enquiries help candidates make informed decisions and support a positive and consistent candidate experience.
Explore practical guidance, to help ensure all candidate queries are handled professionally, consistently and fairly - by sharing clear, practical, factual information that aligns with the job advert and person specification.
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Supporting the Candidate Experience
Good practice
Provide clear, consistent and accessible information, based on the job advert and person specification. Focus on values and transferable skills, encourage formal applications, and signpost to official NHS Scotland contacts.
What to avoid
Avoid informal judgements, role‑specific advice not available to all candidates, or sharing information beyond the job advert and person specification. Do not promise outcomes or discuss scoring or shortlisting outside the formal process.
Set clear expectations
Clear, consistent communication is essential to delivering a fair and inclusive recruitment process in line with Once for Scotland principles. Provide clear role details, process steps and timelines so candidates know what to expect.
Highlight development and support
Clear information on induction, development and support helps candidates understand how they will succeed, particularly when new or changing roles. This is particularly important for candidates who are new to the NHS or moving roles, and will reinforce the commitment to wellbeing, learning and progression, and helps set positive expectations from day one.
In summary:
- Clearly explain the role, responsibilities and working arrangements
- Outline the recruitment process, stages and indicative timescales
- Communicate clearly and consistently with candidates throughout
- Ensure selection decisions are values‑based and evidence‑led
- Describe the induction and onboarding process
- Highlight learning, development and progression opportunities
- Explain the support available during employment
Signposting Candidates Effectively
Before Candidates Apply
Clear signposting before candidates apply helps them understand the role, the organisation, and the support available. Sharing the right information early builds confidence, supports informed decisions, and creates a fairer and more inclusive application experience.
Careers site and role information
Encourage candidates to explore the NHS Scotland Careers site and the full job information early on. This helps them understand the role, the team, and what working in NHS Scotland involves - supporting informed decisions before they apply.
Benefits and development opportunities
Signpost to information on pay, pension, wellbeing support, flexible working and career development. Being clear about benefits and progression opportunities helps candidates see the long‑term value of joining NHS Scotland.
Job alerts
If the role is not yet live or suitable, point candidates to job alerts. This keeps them engaged with NHS Scotland opportunities and supports a positive experience, even if they don’t apply straight away.
During the process
Clear, timely communication during the recruitment process helps candidates feel supported, informed, and treated fairly. Effective signposting at this stage reduces anxiety, builds trust, and enables candidates to prepare confidently for each step.
Providing consistent, accessible information during the process supports a positive candidate experience, helps remove barriers to participation, and reinforces your organisation’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusion.
What happens next
Explain what candidates can expect after applying - including shortlisting timelines, how decisions are made, and when they’re likely to hear back. Clear expectations reduce uncertainty and improve confidence in the process.
Interview expectations
Signpost to guidance on how interviews are structured, what panels may be looking for, and how NHS Scotland values and behaviours are assessed. This supports fairness and helps candidates prepare effectively.
Support available
Make candidates aware of available support, including reasonable adjustments, accessibility support, and who to contact if they have questions. Early signposting helps remove barriers and promotes an inclusive recruitment experience.
After interview
What happens after the interview is just as important as the interview itself. Timely communication, clear decisions, and constructive feedback all play a key role in ensuring candidates feel respected, supported, and treated fairly.
For candidates who are not appointed, clear feedback helps them understand the decision and supports their development for future opportunities. For successful candidates, clear next steps help build confidence and maintain engagement as they move into pre‑employment checks and onboarding.
Handling this stage well reinforces a fair, transparent, and values‑based recruitment experience and leaves all candidates with a positive impression of the organisation.
Keeping candidates informed
Ensure candidates know when and how they’ll receive updates or outcomes. Regular, clear communication — even where there are delays — builds trust and reflects positively on NHS Scotland as an employer.
Signposting if unsuccessful
If a candidate is unsuccessful, signpost to feedback (where available), future opportunities, job alerts and careers information. This helps maintain engagement and supports candidates to consider applying again.
Why this matters
Consistent, thoughtful signposting at each stage helps:
- Improve candidate experience
- Reduce unnecessary queries
- Promote fairness and inclusion
- Strengthen NHS Scotland’s employer brand
Small, timely interventions can make a significant difference to how candidates experience the recruitment process.
Candidate-facing NHS Scotland Resources
These resources offer clear, consistent and accessible information about NHS Scotland careers, routes into the workforce, and what candidates can expect when applying. Using and sharing national resources helps ensure all applicants receive the same information, supporting fair, transparent and values‑based recruitment.
You can direct candidates to guidance on exploring roles and career pathways, preparing applications and interviews, understanding pay, benefits and development opportunities, and accessing support such as reasonable adjustments. Resources are also available for specific routes into the workforce, including apprenticeships, return‑to‑practice and international recruitment.
Signposting to these national resources helps manage candidate expectations, reduces duplication of local guidance, and supports a positive candidate experience across NHS Scotland.
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