FAQs

Application Questions

1. Where can I find information on LSE current vacancies?
2. How do I apply for a vacancy?
3. The deadline for returning my application has passed. Can I still apply?
4. Do you acknowledge confirmation of receipt of applications?
5. Do you have temporary vacancies?
6. Can I revise or amend my application?
7. The person specification states that a particular criteria is essential, can I still apply?
8. Can I speak to a member of the Department to find out more about the post?
9. How/when do I find out if I have been shortlisted?
10. What is LSE's policy on employing ex-offenders?
11. Will I need a DBS check for this post?
12. Can you keep my application on file should a similar vacancy become available?
13. How can I keep up to date with new vacancies?
14. Would you consider a part-time or job-share for this post?
15. Do you have a graduate scheme?
16. How can I find out more about the LSE?
17. Do you employ candidates who require visas?
18. When will referees be approached for references?
19. Do you have a scheme for job shadowing/work experience/internships?
20. I would like to employ an LSE student, who do I contact?
21. Can I submit my application by hand/post/fax?
22. My query is not listed, who can I speak to?

Candidate Questions

1. Can I change the date/time of my interview?
2. I cannot attend the interview, what can I do?
3. Can I have an interview by telephone/conference call?
4. Can I have some feedback as to why my application was not successful?
5. Can I have some feedback as to why I was not successful at interview?

 

 



1. Where can I find information on LSE current vacancies? 
Details of current vacancies can be viewed by visiting our website at www.lse.ac.uk/LSEjobs then clicking on the 'Search and apply' tab at the top and you'll find a search and apply button on many of the pages too. This will take you into the online search engine, which will allow you to search for current vacancies. 

External users will need to create an account and LSE staff should use their network login.


2. How do I apply for a vacancy? 
Once in the jobs section of our website at www.lse.ac.uk/LSEjobs , there is a 'Search and apply' tab at the top and you'll find a search and apply button on many of the pages too. This will take you into the online search engine, which will allow you to search for current vacancies. 
  
Once you have found a job that you would like to apply for, please click on it to enter the online application form. You will be asked to create a user account, and you should ensure that you keep your login details safe so that you can log on at a later date to check the status of your application. 
External users will need to create an account and LSE staff should use their network login. 
Please ensure that you read the 'Dos and Don'ts' and enter all the correct details in your application form, especially your email address, as this is how we will contact you if you are successful. 

 
3. The deadline for returning my application has passed. Can I still apply? 
It is essential that you have submitted your application on the system by 23:59, UK time on the closing date. Regrettably, we are unable to accept late applications. 


4. Do you acknowledge confirmation of receipt of applications? 
When you have submitted your application online, you will receive an automated reply confirming receipt of your application email.

 
5. Do you have temporary vacancies? 
Most of our temporary staff are recruited via a temporary staff agency (currently Spring Personnel). If you are a LSE student looking for temporary work, you are advised to contact the LSE Careers Service either by phone on +44 (0)20 7955 7135 or by email at careers@lse.ac.uk.   

 
6. Can I revise or amend my application? 
Once you have submitted your application via the Online Recruitment System we are unable to accept any changes or amendments. Therefore please ensure you have checked your application thoroughly. 

However, if you would like to advise the Human Resources Division of any changes to your personal details (for example your contact or referee details), please send an email to hr.jobs@lse.ac.uk. The Human Resources Division can then update your details on the system. 


7. The person specification states that a particular criteria is essential, can I still apply? 
We welcome candidates with a wide range of skills and qualifications. However, the Person Specification reflects the essential and desirable criteria and you will need to provide examples of how you meet these in your Cover Letter. 

Some posts will have pre-screening questions, which will determine whether or not you meet the essential criteria for the post in question. 

 
8. Can I speak to a member of the Department to find out more about the post? 
If the role for which you are applying has Further Particulars attached to it, these will often state the name and contact details of the relevant departmental member, should you wish to discuss the post with him/her in more detail.  Alternatively, for a list of names and contact details, see academic departments or research centres. 

 
9. How/when do I find out if I have been shortlisted? 
We aim to notify successful candidates as soon as possible after the closing date, however please note that the timelines may vary according to the number of applications received. 

When the shortlisting process has concluded, you will receive a status message or an invitation inviting you for an interview. You are encouraged to log onto the system regularly to check the progress of your application. 

10. What is LSE's policy on employing ex-offenders? 
All applicants are asked to provide details of any 'unspent' convictions (as defined under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) on the Personal Details form. This information will not be disclosed to the interview panel and will not be used as part of the selection criteria. Should you subsequently be offered a post, any information you provide on your form would be looked at in relation to the job for which you are being considered. For some posts, this information may be relevant, as it may reflect on the individual's character and suitability for the job. 

We may also decide to share this information with your line manager, if it deemed appropriate, but we would inform you of this before the information is passed on. However, you are encouraged to be as open and honest as possible about any unspent convictions at your interview. 

For more information regarding our policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, please refer to our policy statement (PDF).

 
11. Will I need a DBS check for this post? 
If your post requires a DBS check, this will be stated in the advert and the Further Particulars, which will be attached to the post. If you are subsequently offered the post, you will be provided with a DBS form to complete and you will be required to arrange to meet a member of the HR Team to check that the form has been correctly completed and also to provide us with the necessary documentation required by the DBS as proof of identity. 

For more information regarding the storage and handling of DBS disclosures, please refer to our policy statement (PDF). 

 
12. Can you keep my application on file should a similar vacancy become available? 
You can register yourself on the online system to receive job alerts when a suitable vacancy comes up. Your application will be saved on the system and you will be able to go back into the application to adjust it, should you want to apply for a vacancy of which you are notified. 

When you go into the search engine page, click on 'register for job alerts' in the top left hand corner of the screen and you will be prompted to enter your details.

 
13. How can I keep up to date with new vacancies?
You can register on line to receive regular vacancy alerts, when a vacancy matches your requirements we will automatically notify by email.
Job alerts do not require you to submit an application, just an email address and areas of interest. 

 
14. Would you consider a part-time or job-share for this post? 
Generally, all posts that are suitable for part-time working or a job-share will be advertised as such. However, the School recognises the need for flexibility and is keen to support staff in achieving work-life balance. We will therefore always consider any requests from staff or job applicants to work flexibly. 

If you would like to make a request to apply for a full-time job as part-time or a job-share, you should make your case to the appropriate department within your Cover Letter, who will give your request their full consideration. 

 
15. Do you have a graduate scheme? 
No, the School does not have a graduate scheme. 

 
16. How can I find out more about the LSE? 
You are advised to visit our website at www.lse.ac.uk for further information about the School. 

You can also view testimonials from existing staff, see: What do current staff think of working at the LSE. 

 
17. Do you employ candidates who require visas? 
The School is able to sponsor applicants for academic and research positions under the Tier 2 category, however we are not normally able to sponsor candidates requiring visas for professional services roles, except in exceptional circumstances. Possible options will be discussed with you at appointment stage, should you require a visa. For further information please visit www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
 

18. When will referees be approached for references? 
For academic and research appointments, three references must be obtained prior to the Selection Committee, to assist them in the selection process. Referees will not be contacted without the candidate's permission. Sometimes, references may be required at application stage. This will be clearly stated on the advert. 

For professional services posts, it is a mandatory requirement on the online system that two references are provided. 
Referees for professional services posts will only be contacted in the event that a candidate is made an offer of employment. 

 
19. Do you have a scheme for job shadowing/work experience/internships? 
Regrettably, the School does not have a scheme for job shadowing, work experience or internships. However, some schemes may operate at departmental level. You are advised to look at the appropriate section of the website for the department in which you are interested in working, or to contact the departmental manager or administrator. 

 
20. I would like to employ an LSE student, who do I contact? 
You are advised to contact the LSE Careers Service either by phone on +44 (0)20 7955 7135 or by email at careers@lse.ac.uk.

 
21. Can I submit my application by hand/post/fax? 
The School operates an Online Recruitment System, which enables you to submit your electronic application quickly and easily. Therefore we are unable to accept paper applications. If, for any reason, you are unable to access the online system, please contact the Human Resources Division at the earliest opportunity on +44 (0)20 7955 6659. 

 
22. My query is not listed, who can I speak to? 
If your query relates to the recruitment process, you should send an email to the HR team (hr.jobs@lse.ac.uk), quoting the post name and reference number, if applicable. If you require more specific detail on the post for which you are applying, you may wish to contact the relevant Departmental Manager. However, the Human Resources Division can also pass on any such queries to the relevant Department. 

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Candidate Questions

1. Can I change the date/time of my interview? 
Regrettably, the availability of selection committee members is often very limited and for this reason, we would not normally be able to offer you an alternative date if you are unable to attend on the required date. If, however, another candidate would be willing to move their interview time, it may be possible to offer you another time slot on the same date. 
For certain posts, candidates will be able to self-select their own interview slots, but this function will not be available for all posts. 

 
2. I cannot attend the interview, what can I do? 
If you are unable to attend an interview please contact the Human Resources Division immediately on +44 (0)20 7955 6659. 

 
3. Can I have an interview by telephone/conference call? 
While we very much hope that candidates can attend their interview, we recognise that there may be extenuating circumstances where this is not possible. Please contact a member of the Human Resources Division in the first instance to discuss the available options. We will always try to accommodate candidates where possible. 

 
4. Can I have some feedback as to why my application was not successful?  
Due to the volume of applications the School receives, we regret that we are not able to provide feedback to applicants that were not shortlisted for academic or professional services roles. 

 
5. Can I have some feedback as to why I was not successful at interview? 
We are able to provide feedback to candidates who attended an interview but were subsequently unsuccessful at this stage. Please email your feedback request to hr.jobs@lse.ac.uk stating your full name, the position you applied for and the date of your interview. 
The Human Resources Division will liaise with the members of the Selection Committee to obtain feedback. Whilst every effort will be made to provide you with feedback as promptly as possible, please be aware that this is dependent on the availability of the Selection Committee members and it could take approximately up to two weeks.


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