Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding myjobscotland. We hope these answers provide the information you require.

Searching For A Job

Q. How long does myjobscotland keep my personal details for?

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If your account has been archived you will need to create a new account if you wish to apply again.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.

Q. How do I set up a Job Alert?

There are a few ways to set up job alerts on myjobscotland:

1. Click through the Job alerts link featured on each page of the site to personalise and save your own search terms. You will then receive a confirmation email confirming your selection. You need to be logged in to do this.
2. When you perform a search on the website, the search page will have a handy filter so you can quickly drill down into the most relevant jobs you may be interested in. Use the “Create an Alert from this search” link to save that as a new job alert. You need to be logged in to do this.
3. You can also set up a job alert from your account. This option has the added bonus of allowing you to edit the search criteria whenever you like, and you can now also create multiple job alerts, giving each of these a unique name.

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.

Creating An Account

Q. How do I set up a myjobscotland account?

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.

Q. I don't have a computer at home or at work - is there anywhere else I can register and apply online?

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.

Q. I have forgotten my account password - what do I do?

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.

Q. Is there a limited time for filling in an application form online?

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.

Q. What happens after I submit my online application?

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.

Q. Can I print off my application form to keep a copy for myself?

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.

Other Questions

Q. I am experiencing issues applying online (Top Tips)

If you are experiencing issues with your online application please try the following:

• Delete your cookies/temporary Internet files
• Ensure that your privacy settings aren't set too high
• Ensure you have a strong Internet connection
• Check that your Internet cable is plugged into your router/socket, sometimes WiFi signals can drop their connection due to a variety of reasons and this may end your session unexpectedly
• Save the section you are working on regularly (e.g. every 10 minutes) since any break in Internet connection, or period of inactivity may result in your session timing out and you may lose some information you have already inserted
• If you are entering lengthy responses draft them out using a text editor e.g. Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac) so you have a backup copy should you encounter any issues. The character count in Word differs from that on the application form because text is stored as Unicode on the online application form. Therefore use the character count on the application form and edit text accordingly. Text that is over the character limit will not be saved. What you see on the view/print summary screen is what the council/organisation will see once you submit your application
• Try to avoid adding additional formatting e.g.bullet points as these take up character space which may result in you not having enough space to complete your full response
• Enable pop-ups for the myjobscotland site if viewing your application summary sheet
• Review your computer settings and try other browsers
• Try accessing your application on another computer as this could help determine if the issue is specifically linked to your own computer settings
• If you are using an AntiVirus software make sure that myjobscotland.gov.uk is a trusted website
• Increase text size by clicking on Ctrl key and scrolling your mouse wheel, or go to your browser click on View > Text Size or View > Zoom
• You can increase the text box sizes using Chrome and Safari browsers, or alternatively type up your responses using a text editor e.g. Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac) and copy and paste in to the text boxes once edited

Q. Do all organisations which advertise on myjobscotland have the same recruitment process?

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.

Q. How can I make sure I receive emails from myjobscotland?

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.

Q. Cookies Information / Error Message

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.

More Information

Further FAQs, and well as council contact details, can be found on our support pages.