Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding myjobscotland. We hope these answers provide the information you require.
Your details will be stored for a period of 5 years after you last updated your account. If there has been no activity during this period (i.e. you haven't applied online, or the relevant organisation hasn't changed your application status) your details will be archived. See our Privacy and Cookies page for further information.
If your account has been archived you will need to create a new account if you wish to apply again. It is useful to keep back-up copies of your online applications on your personal computer/USB for reference.
If you forget your password while your account is live, select the reset link next to "Forgot your password?" on the login/register page. An email with instructions on how to reset your password will be sent to your registered email address.
There are a few ways to set up job alerts on myjobscotland:
It is best to keep any criteria as general as possible e.g using the filters, as it is reliant upon the terms used by the council/organisation within the job advert and job description. Only you can amend these alerts.
Unsubscribe from job alerts by selecting the “Remove This Alert” link in any job alert email, or from your “My Job Alerts” section in your account and clicking on the “delete this alert” icon.
To set up a myjobscotland account, you will need internet access and an email account to receive application responses.
When you are ready to apply for a vacancy advertised on myjobscotland, you will be asked to login/register with the site. You will then be asked several questions about your suitability for the job and directed to online application pages where you can enter details of your experience, qualifications, skills, employment and contact details.
This information will be stored automatically against your account, so there is no need to re-enter the same information in future applications, although this might still be necessary depending on how the recruiting organisation have set up their application forms.
You can click on “My Account” to edit your personal details, check the status of existing applications and review positions applied for. At the bottom of this page you will be able to see which applications you are currently applying for.
Please remember to keep your email address up-to-date through the My Account section (My Personal Details) as the email address provided will be used for future communication during the application process. All correspondence in relation to the post/s you apply for will be via your email address.
If you don't have internet access at home, ask a relative friend or neighbour if you can use their computer for your job search.
You can set up your own email account on a computer at your local library or other local facilities, however, these may vary so check out shopping centres and community centres in your area. If in doubt, contact your local council.
Free email accounts can be set up through providers such as www.yahoo.co.uk (Opens in a new window), mail.google.com (Opens in a new window) and www.outlook.com (Opens in a new window). Just log onto their websites and follow the instructions.
Setting up an email account with one of these web-based providers means you'll be able to access your email using any computer with internet access. To keep your personal details safe, always remember to logout from your myjobscotland account if you are using a shared computer.
On the login/register page, click on the link that says: “Click here to reset it”. Enter your registered email address, submit and you will be sent a one time activation email for you to click on. This can only be used once, so if it fails, repeat this process.
As long as you complete and submit your application by 11.59pm on the closing date of the position (unless an alternative timeframe is stated on the job advert itself) there is no limit to how long you take to fill in your application. Therefore, you can take your time to complete the application form, save it and go back to finish it at your leisure. We recommend you save your work regularly and ideally don't leave it to the last minute in case you encounter any issues.
Remember you must always click on the "Save and continue" button as you progress through the online application form. Once you have filled in all parts of your application form you need to click on the submit button so that it is received by the recruiting organisation. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been received successfully. If your application form isn't showing in your account as submitted, and you haven't received a confirmation email, please check your account in case it is still sitting as incomplete.
You will receive an acknowledgement email from the council/organisation that advertised the vacancy, and thereafter should be kept up to date with any progression throughout the application process. Your account area will also show you your application status, details of other applications you’ve made, as well as applications you currently have in process.
Each council/organisation has full ownership over their recruitment processes and timeframes so you should contact them directly if you have a query about your application form, or any part of the recruitment process e..g. interviews, feedback.
We estimate that it can take between 2 - 8 weeks for shortleeting but that timeframe is determined by the recruiting council/organisation.
Yes, you can print out a summary once you have fully completed any part (or all) of the application form. Once you have submitted your application, you will be able to download all parts of the application form as a series of PDFs.
If you are experiencing issues with your online application please try the following:
Each council or organisation advertising has their own recruitment processes they have to adhere to and information about these may be found on their pages. The acknowledgment email you receive may include information such as timescales and how your application will be assessed.
Each organisation may carry out pre-employment checks as standard either before or after interview and there are additional checks for vacancies that involve working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This will be specified at the time of application.
Make sure “myjobscotland.gov.uk” is added to your safe senders list in your email browser / settings. Also, check your Junk or Spam folders for this email, but remember to mark these as “not junk”, “not spam” to stop this behaviour for future emails that are received.
If the error message 'No session cookie found' appears, please adjust your cookie settings, or delete the cookies on your browser. For further information on cookies please go to the AboutCookies.org website. This site can show you how to delete cookies depending on which browser you are using.
Further FAQs, and well as council contact details, can be found here.