Guidance

Sifting job applications and issuing results (vX)

Guidance for recruiters on completing sift evaluation forms and issuing results to candidates

Reviewing applications

Guidance for reviewing applications is available in this vacancy holder guide

Download name blind applications

As a recruiter, you can export applications which exclude details such as names.

This export is only available while applications are still in a name blind state, for example at Sift Application status.

  1. Select applications.
  2. Go to Print book.
  3. Select Hide applicant name.
  4. Select Skip other applications display.
  5. Select Full application form - recruiter version for select summary sheet.
  6. Select other options you require and select Submit to generate a file.

Completing a Pre-Sift Evaluation Form

  1. Select Advert to Offer on your Dashboard.
  2. Use the Vacancies Closed within the last week widget to find the vacancy.
  3. Select Applications from the vacancy summary.
  4. Select the link for ‘Pre-sift actions required’ status.
  5. Choose the candidate, then View.
  6. Select Application Forms, then Full Application Form to review the candidate’s application.
  7. Select and complete the Pre-sift Evaluation Form.
  8. Submit.

The candidate’s status will change to ‘Pre-sift complete’.

If you have multiple candidates to enter scores for, select the double arrow button to toggle between them and follow steps 7 and 8.

Changing a candidate status to ‘Sift application’

  1. When all candidate pre-sift evaluation forms are complete, go back to the vacancy and select the Applications tab.
  2. Select the link for ‘Pre-sift complete’ status.
  3. From the Selected dropdown, choose Select All.
  4. From the Status dropdown, select Progress Application then Confirm.

Completing a Sift Evaluation Form

  1. Find the vacancy.
  2. Select the Applications tab.
  3. Select the link for ‘Sift application’ status.
  4. Choose the candidate, then View.
  5. Select Complete Sift Evaluation to complete. Candidates can see your comments.
  6. Submit

The candidate’s status will change to ‘Sift Evaluation - Feedback Captured (Not Issued)’.

If you have multiple candidates to enter scores for, click the arrow button to toggle between them.

Uploading Sift Evaluation Forms in bulk

  1. From the navigation panel, select Applications then Export Recruitment Form.
  2. Complete the mandatory fields. For:
    • Form to use as template for export, select ‘Sift Evaluation’.
    • Read application data from, select ‘Leave blank’.
    • How many blank rows, select your number of candidates - round up to the nearest number.
  3. Select Export Recruitment Form to download the form.
  4. Open the form, and complete all relevant fields.
  5. Save the form.
  6. From Dashboard, select Applications, then Import Recruitment Form.
  7. Select Choose Excel File, then select your saved form.
  8. Submit.
  9. Select View Applications imported Successfully to check the results have uploaded.

Reviewing and issuing sift results

Reviewing results

  1. Find the vacancy.
  2. Select the Applications tab.
  3. Select the link for ‘Sift Evaluation- Feedback Captured (Not Issued)’ status.
  4. To review scores, select the Customise layout dropdown, then Quick Review - Sift Feedback.

Issuing Sift Results

  1. Find the vacancy.
  2. Select the Applications tab.
  3. Select the link for ‘Sift Evaluation - Feedback Captured (Not Issued)’ status.
  4. Click the Selected dropdown, then Select All.
  5. Select the Status dropdown, then Progress Application.
  6. Confirm

Unsuccessful candidates will be automatically emailed to inform them of their rejection.

Successful candidates will move to the ‘Selected for Interview 1’ status.

Inviting candidates to interview

You must create an interview schedule before inviting candidates to interview.

Change status

  1. Find the vacancy.
  2. Select the Applications tab.
  3. Select the link for ‘Selected for Interview 1’ status.
  4. Click the Selected dropdown, then Select All.
  5. Select the Status dropdown, then Progress Application.
  6. Confirm

Select interview and send email

  1. Select the correct Interview Selection Method:
    • Auto Select lets candidates see all interview schedules for the vacancy.
    • Specific Interview lets you choose which schedule candidates see.
  2. Select correct email template from the Correspondence dropdown.
  3. Edit the red text within the template, including your departmental requirements.
  4. Add any required Attachments.
  5. Select Send Invite.

Successful candidates will be emailed to invite them to interview.

Help and support

Contact the Product and Support Team if you have a technical problem: support.csjobs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Updates to this page

Published 15 July 2019
Last updated 7 January 2021 + show all updates
  1. Added reviewing applications section

  2. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page