Candidate Guide to Recruitment

Complete Candidate Guide to Recruitment at the Royal British Legion

The recruitment team is here to support you every step of the way throughout your journey. Please contact us at careers@britishlegion.org.uk should you need any support or have any questions.

01. Applications

Personalise your application for the role you are applying for:
Tailoring your application and CV to a specific role is essential because it helps demonstrate that you possess the relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications we are looking for. By aligning your application to the person specification, you not only showcase your understanding of the role but also highlight your suitability for the position.

02. Shortlisting

Our shortlisting process is completed by both our hiring managers and/or Recruitment Team. We access all candidate applications against three criteria sections set out in the person specification, within our vacancy information pack – Qualifications; knowledge & Experience; Skills & Attributes. Candidates who score the highest and match the criteria are invited for interview.
Guaranteed Interview Schemes:
Here at RBL, we run two guaranteed interview schemes to better support candidates through our application process. Both schemes provide guaranteed interviews for applicants who declare an Armed Forces And/or Disability and meet the essential criteria in our role person specification.
Why do we have these schemes?
Both schemes help break down barriers and create a more accessible and inclusive recruitment process. By offering these opportunities, we aim to support individuals from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities and those who have served in the Armed Forces, in their journey towards meaningful employment. Our aim is to further strengthen our workforce with a range diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
We currently have over 100 employees from an Armed Forces background and circa 100 family members of those who served.

03. InterviewsAt RBL, we want you to succeed in your interview and show us the best version of yourself. Whether you're new to interviews or have plenty of experience, we’ve put together some helpful tips and advice to ensure you feel confident and ready. Below, you’ll find everything you need to help you prepare – from what to expect in the interview to how to structure your answers using the STAR method.

What to Expect in the Interview

Our interviews are designed in a conversational style. We want to understand your skills, experiences, and how you can contribute to our mission and values. Here’s what you can expect:

• Job-Related Questions - We’ll ask you about your experience, skills, and how they relate to the role you're applying for.

• Values-Based Questions - These focus on how your personal values align with ours. Therefore, please read and understand our company values prior to the interview

• Competency-Based Questions - These questions are designed to assess your abilities and how you approach different situations. We’ll be looking for clear examples of how you've demonstrated key skills.

How to Prepare your interview

• Understand the Role - Make sure you’ve read the vacancy information pack carefully and understand the key responsibilities and match the essential criteria. Think about how your past experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in the role.

• Research the Royal British Legion - Familiarise yourself with our history, values, and the work we do.

• Practice Your Answers - While you can’t predict every question, it helps to practice your responses to some common ones. Think about examples from your past work that showcase your skills and achievements.

Tips for Success in your interviews

• Be Yourself - We want to hear about you. Don’t worry about giving the "perfect" answer. Instead, focus on giving a genuine response based on your experiences.

• Take Your Time -If you're unsure about a question, it's completely fine to take a moment to think before answering or ask the panel to repeat the question. This shows that you're considering your response carefully.

Ask Questions - At the end of the interview, you'll have a chance to ask your own questions. Use this opportunity to learn more about the team, the role, and RBL. Interviewing is a two-way process, and we want to ensure you are clear on all aspects of the role and what it’s like to work here.

The STAR Method:

To help you give clear and concise answers to competency-based questions, we recommend using the STAR method. STAR stands for:

 
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you’ll be able to showcase your strengths and stand out as a strong candidate.
Take a deep breath, be confident, and let your experiences speak for themselves. Good luck – we look forward to potentially meeting with you!

AI Guidance

At RBL, we understand that AI is playing a bigger role in recruitment. As a candidate, knowing how to use AI effectively during the application and hiring process is increasingly important. Learning how to use AI—and knowing our approach to it—can help you succeed.
Useful AI tools:
• Resume builders
• Interview preparation apps

How we use AI in recruitment?
Although some organisations are using AI tools throughout recruitment. We value the importance of human-to-human interactions and having a personalised touch throughout the end-to-end recruitment process. All applications are reviewed and supported through the end-to-end process, manually by both our hiring managers and recruitment team.