Jobs FAQs

Q: Is the closing date flexible?
Q: How do I know that you have received my application?
Q: How long will it be before I know if I have been invited to interview?
Q: I am unable to attend interview on the date given. Is it possible to request a different interview date?
Q: I have had an interview. How long will it be before I hear if I was successful?
Q: Do HS2 reimburse interview travel expenses?
Q: I am not a British or European National. Can I still apply?
Q: Is it possible to have feedback of my application?
Q: Do you only accept applications on the forms available on the recruitment website?
Q: Do I have to fill out your diversity monitoring form?
Q: Can you explain the sifting process?
Q: What are you looking for in my match to the criteria?
Q: If I do not gain selection for a particular role, will my details be held and considered for other roles?
Q: How do you decide which roles to put out to external candidates and which ones you do not?
Q: What can I expect at my interview?
Q: How long after my interview will it take before I know the outcome of the interview?
Q: If there are internal candidates applying for the role, is it worth me applying?
Q: Can you suggest sources I can use to research HS2, its role and background?
Q: How can I stay updated on the latest roles with HS2?

Q: Is the closing date flexible?
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, closing dates and times have to be strictly adhered to and HS2 Ltd is unable to accept late applications.

All roles close at 23:59 on the evening of their specified closing date. Although roles may still feature on our website, any applications received after 23:59 on the closing date will not be accepted. Roles will be removed from our website during office hours the following day if not before.

Q: How do I know that you have received my application?
A: All applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt, within 24 hours for emailed applications and 48 hours for postal applications.

Q: How long will it be before I know if I have been invited to interview?
A: HS2 Ltd aims to inform all successful and unsuccessful applicants within three weeks of the closing date, though this may be longer in some cases especially in the initial generic campaign. Please do not contact HS2 Ltd as applicants will be informed as soon as a decision is made. If there is a considerable delay, applicants will be contacted to inform them of the situation.

Please Note:  All applicants, successful or not, will receive communication from HS2 Ltd to inform them of a decision.

Q: I am unable to attend interview on the date given. Is it possible to request a different interview date?
A: Unfortunately, due to time constraints, HS2 Ltd is unable to provide alternative interview dates.

Q: I have had an interview. How long will it be before I hear if I was successful?
A: HS2 Ltd aims to inform all successful and unsuccessful applicants within two weeks of the interview. However, this is not always possible. In this case, please do not contact HS2 Ltd as applicants will be informed as soon as a decision is made. If there is a considerable delay, applicants will be contacted to inform them of the situation.

Q: Do HS2 Ltd reimburse interview travel expenses?
A: Unfortunately, HS2 Ltd is unable to reimburse travel expenses.

Q: I am not a British or European National. Can I still apply?
A: You can apply if you have an up-to-date Work Permit/Visa that allows you to work in the UK. Your Work Permit/Visa must be valid for the duration of the contract of the role you have applied for. If the role is permanent, you will need a long term Work Permit/Visa or permanent residency in the UK.

Q: Is it possible to have feedback of my application?
A: Unfortunately, due to high numbers of applications, HS2 Ltd is unable to give feedback to those applicants who do not reach interview stage. Applicants who have been interviewed can request feedback by emailing: HS2Jobs@hs2.gsi.gov.uk. In the subject field, please put ‘Interview feedback request’ and the role you were interviewed for. Due to the number of roles and time constraints in place, it may take some time to get back to every applicant that requests feedback, please bear with us.

Q: Do you only accept applications on the forms available on the recruitment website?
A: Yes in order to have a consistent process and to be fair to everyone, we ask that all candidates fill out the application form provided. This is clearly stated and applications in other formats will not be considered.

Q: Do I have to fill out your diversity monitoring form?
A: Yes in order to have a consistent process and to be fair to everyone, we ask that all candidates fill out the diversity monitoring form. Completing the form helps us to monitor the demographics of our advertising campaign and demonstrates where we have successfully reached out to a diverse audience. Similarly it shows us where our campaigns aren’t working and helps aid future improvements. If you are uncomfortable completing the form, there is an option that states ‘do not wish to complete’ at the top of the form.

Please note: All diversity monitoring forms are extracted from your application and will not form part of any decision making process. The form is used for monitoring purposes only.

Q: Can you explain the sifting process?
A: Candidates will be sifted against the principle accountabilities and experience required for the role.  Candidates that are able to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and expertise against these criteria will be invited to interview. The principle accountabilities and experience required can be found on the role descriptions in the vacancies section of the recruitment website.

Q: What are you looking for in my match to the criteria?
A: Examples from your work, educational, social or other areas of your life which evidence how you meet what is being sought.

Q: If I do not gain selection for a particular role, will my details be held and considered for other roles?
A: During the recruitment process your application will be considered across a number of HS2 Ltd roles and if necessary you will be added to their Talent Pool for consideration. You can also continue to apply for other vacancies as they are advertised on the website. If you have not been contacted by HS2 Ltd you can assume that you will need to watch for other roles to be advertised and apply in the normal way.

Q: How do you decide which roles to put out to external candidates and which ones you do not?
A: There is a strict internal process to advertise roles externally and the Senior Management Team decide on the most appropriate route to take. If there have been difficulties in the past, the role is highly technical or particularly urgent then these could be a reason to decide to advertise externally.

Q: What can I expect at my interview?
A: All interviews are in panel format, are competency-based and tend to last approximately 45 minutes. Candidates invited for interview will be sent full details of the interview time, duration, location, any preparation expected for the interview and any testing that will take place.

Q: How long after my interview will it take before I know the outcome of the interview?
A: This will depend on the panel and how many candidates are seen, how many days the interviews are spread over and the quality of candidates seen. Our general approach is to offer the role to the successful candidate before standing anyone down. In some instances this can delay the process and means you get any news later than anticipated. The reason for this is that we have a Talent Pool in operation and we always like to ensure the preferred candidate has accepted before making any rejections.

Q: If there are internal candidates applying for the role, is it worth me applying?
A: The process is robust and consistent, designed to allow all candidates equal opportunity to make the case for their fit with the role. A candidate will be assessed against the key requirements for the role and the core competencies – the most suitable candidate will be offered, regardless of whether they are internal or external.

Q: Can you suggest sources I can use to research HS2 Ltd, its role and background?
A: For further information about HS2 Ltd and the work we do, please visit our About us pages or www.dft.gov.uk.

Q: How can I stay updated on the latest roles with HS2 Ltd?
A: All roles will be advertised here on our website.