We’ve created a list of questions we get asked a lot by people interested in working with us – we ask all potential applicants to read this carefully before they apply or get in touch.  

Before you apply 

How can I find out more about a job you’re advertising? 

We try to cover everything a candidate might need on our website and in the job advert. If there is anything you’d like to ask that isn’t covered, please use the named contact in the advert or write to hr@nbn.org.uk and we’ll get back to you.  

I don’t have the right to work in the UK or Republic of Ireland – can I still apply? 

No, we aren’t able to sponsor people to work in the UK or Ireland. If you are able to obtain the right to work independently but don’t have it yet, you can still apply but we will need to see evidence before the agreed start date, as all our job offers are made subject to a right to work check.  

I don’t live in the UK but have the right to work in the UK or Ireland – can I still apply? 

No, we need our employees to live in the UK.  

Does it matter where I’m based in the UK? 

No, we have employees based all over the country, including rural areas.  

The application process 

Can I use AI to support my application? 

We use AI internally and using it to support an application can be helpful, especially if it’s used for purposes such as editing an application. It might also be a reasonable adjustment to accommodate a disability or condition. However, we do want applications to reflect your individual experience, skills and understanding. An application purely generated by AI may be rejected on that basis.  

Do you use AI to screen candidates? 

No, we currently don’t. Every application is read by a human. 

Do you accept late applications? 

No, we don’t accept late applications. The only exception is rare, if we find we can’t fill a role the first time we try to recruit. If you see a job after a deadline and want to find out if this has happened, contact hr@nbn.org.uk, but please don’t send your CV just in case.  

My application timed out and I’ve lost what I was writing – how can I stop that from happening again? 

To prevent this, please note our portal will lock applicants out after an hour of not being used. Please save your application regularly so you don’t lose everything.  

I accidentally sent an incomplete application or want to change something about my application – what can I do now? 

Write to hr@nbn.org.uk and ask for the application to be deleted so you can reapply. Please note that the account is only monitored during office hours on a part-time basis, so if this happens close to a deadline there’s a risk we won’t be able to help. If it’s an opportunity you’re really interested in, please leave yourself time to prevent anything like this from happening.  

We will not be able to accept applications sent to other internal email addresses, and need all applications to come through the Breathe portal.  

Do you respond to applications? 

All applications get an automated response when their application is received. Once we have reviewed your application, we will also let you know the outcome.  

Can I get feedback on my application? 

We get a high volume of applications and we regret that we can’t give feedback on them. The most frequent reasons for rejecting applications is that they’re incomplete, AI-generated or that we received many good applications and had to make difficult decisions based on small differences within the application.  

How long do you keep my application? 

Applications are stored for 90 days after an offer is accepted by the successful candidate, then deleted.  

The interview process

How do you carry out interviews? 

Interviews are almost always carried out on Teams, and with a panel. Interview dates or weeks are usually quoted in the adverts. Everyone is asked the same set of core questions. Some roles will require additional tasks like presentations, which will be explained to you in advance.  

Making an offer 

How do you make job offers? 

The hiring manager on the panel will call you to make you a verbal offer. If accepted, you’ll then be asked to carry out a digital right to work check, using your passport, and receive a written contract of employment. 

Do you contact referees? 

Yes. We will ask you for the name, title, email addresses of two referees as part of a job offer, so you’ll know who and when we’re planning to make an approach. One of these must be a current or most recent employer. The references must be satisfactory in our opinion to confirm the job offer.  

Can I get feedback on my interview? 

Yes, if you ask the hiring manager they will give you feedback on your interview.  

Flexible working and working from home 

What’s your approach to flexible working? 

This is an important feature of working at the Trust – all our staff work from home and work flexibly.  

Is there any time I would be asked to work away from home? 

We invite all staff to attend our annual conference, which happens in November in different venues around the country, and we occasionally have staff meetings. We encourage people to attend and aim to make it as easy as possible for them to do so – plenty of notice is given, we reimburse reasonable travel expenses and time off in lieu is available for travel.  

Particular roles might require additional in-person attendance, either for team meetings or events. Where this applies, we outline this in the job advert and are happy for this to be discussed at interview.  

If you really can’t make a particular event, you can discuss this with your line manager in advance and they won’t unreasonably refuse a request not to attend.  

What do I need to be able to work from home? 

If offered a job, we will ask if you need any equipment such as a laptop, keyboard, monitor or assistive technology and can order that for you. You’ll be required to keep the items safe, report any damage and return anything we supply to you if you leave our employment.  

We expect people to have accommodation which means they can work from home in privacy and securely, with a reliable broadband connection.  

How do you keep in touch with each other? 

We hold online team meetings (currently fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons) and use Outlook and Teams.  

Equity, diversity and inclusion 

What if I need an adjustment to the application and/or interview process?

We aim to be an inclusive employer and have many staff with conditions and disabilities, as well as caring responsibilities. Please don’t be afraid to ask, just let the person leading the panel on your invite know if you need an adjustment, and they’ll do their best to accommodate wherever possible. This includes circulating questions in advance of the interview, which we do on request.  

What’s the demographic of your staff? 

People work for us from all over the country. We have a high proportion of staff with neurodivergent conditions, other conditions and/or disabilities (43% declared in our most recent survey) but we are under-represented in terms of race and ethnicity. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and situations.  

Environmental careers 

Do you accept speculative applications?  

We accept and will register CVs sent to us through the link on our page. We aren’t able to accept speculative applications sent by email. Please make it clear when you send your CV which department you’d like to work in.  

Do you take people on work experience? 

Unfortunately, we don’t offer work experience placements because we’re a small charity with limited resources. We really hope to be able to change this in future.  

How can I find out more about environmental careers? 

The website www.greenjobsfornature.org is an excellent resource for anyone interested in working in this sector.