Frequently asked questions

Please reach out to our People team at jobs@rcog.org.uk or call us at 020 7772 6453. We are here to help and will respond as soon as we can.

You can explore our mission, values and the work we do on our RCOG website. We are proud of our work to improve the health of women and girls across the world and encourage candidates to learn more about our values and what we do before applying. To learn more about our recruitment process, benefits and more, please explore our Careers site.

We require all applicants to complete the online application form through our Applied platform. This helps us ensure a fair and consistent assessment process, as each candidate’s responses are scored anonymously based on specific role requirements. CVs can be uploaded as part of the application but not as a substitute.

We do not accept speculative CVs. All applications must be submitted for specific roles through our Applied platform. This helps ensure a fair, inclusive and consistent recruitment process.

Each job application should be tailored to the role you are applying for. Since each role may require different skills or experiences, we encourage you to review the job description and respond specifically to the questions for each position.

Once you submit your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation within a few minutes, please check your spam folder. If you still cannot locate it, contact us at jobs@rcog.org.uk.

We only contact referees if you are offered a position with us and we will request your permission before reaching out to them. This ensures confidentiality and respects your current employment arrangements.

Yes, all candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application. For shortlisted candidates, we aim to be in touch within two weeks after the application closing date. We are committed to keeping you informed throughout the process. The majority of communication during the recruitment process will be via email. Please make sure that you enter your details carefully and check your inbox and spam folder regularly for updates.

Be honest! Focus on providing clear and specific examples of your skills and experiences relevant to the role. Each answer should be complete and able to stand alone as they will be scored separately. Take time to familiarise yourself with the job description and use Applied’s guide How to Answer Applied Sift Questions for additional tips.

Yes, each job posting includes a deadline. We encourage you to apply early, as roles may close if we get a lot of applications. We are a small team and this helps us to manage application levels  and give you a positive candidate experience. If you need extra time due to accessibility or other reasons, please contact us.

Yes, you are welcome to reapply for roles that match your skills and interests. Each application is evaluated independently, so you can submit updated materials or examples. To be appointed, you will need to meet the essential criteria.

After the role closes, we review each application based on answers to role-specific questions and the CV, scored anonymously through the Applied platform. When shortlisting we are making an assessment of how closely your application meets the essential criteria that we set out in the job description and person specification. The hiring team will go through your application in detail looking for specific evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role. Unless you have provided specific evidence in your CV and each separate answer, supported by relevant examples, you are unlikely to be shortlisted. This objective process ensures each applicant is evaluated fairly, based solely on their skills and experiences.

Disability Confident is a government initiative designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with health conditions. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, RCOG guarantees an interview to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for a role. This does not mean that all disabled people are entitled to an interview. You must meet the minimum criteria set out in the job description and person specification. The Disability Confident scheme only guarantees an interview – it does not automatically mean that applicants interviewed will gain employment with the RCOG. This scheme reflects our commitment to inclusive recruitment and support for disabled applicants.

We do not conduct Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all roles, however, all offers are subject to verification of identity and right to work in the UK check, receipt of satisfactory references and where applicable, additional pre-employment checks. If this includes a DBS check, we will let you know. This helps us ensure a safe, secure and compliant workplace for all employees.

If you are offered employment at RCOG, it is important you disclose any relevant information during this process and that any information you do provide is accurate. If you provide false or misleading information at any point during the recruitment process, your offer of employment will be withdrawn or if you have started with us, your employment will be terminated.

RCOG values flexibility and supports hybrid working where feasible. Many roles offer a blend of working days remotely and in the office while some need to be fully office based. We have employees who come into the office most days to enjoy the onsite perks, such as free lunch, while others split their days between work from home and coming into the office regularly for one to one meetings, team collaboration, events or in person meetings. While all of our employees need to be able to work from our office regularly, we are committed to providing flexible arrangements to support work-life balance, so please discuss any specific requirements with us during the recruitment process.

We are a UK based organisation, with stunning offices in Borough, London, and while we offer agile working options within the UK, you will need to be able to come into the office regularly. Any accommodation or travel expenses associated with coming into the office for interview or when you are working for us are not covered by RCOG. It is the responsibility of applicants and employees to cover any travel or accommodation costs for in-office attendance.

We encourage all interviewees to prepare thoroughly for the interview. Start by exploring the RCOG website to gain a good understanding of our mission, work and values. Review the job description carefully and note the essential criteria in the person specification. It is helpful to think of specific examples from your past experience that showcase how your skills align with each criteria. Familiarising yourself with our values will also give you a sense of how we operate, what we prioritise and how we will expect you to behave. Remember, interviews are a two-way process – this is your chance to find out if we are right for you. Think about what you will want to ask us during the interview, which can give you insight into our culture, the team and the role itself.

At RCOG, we conduct interviews through a combination of virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams and in-person interviews at our offices located in Borough, London, near London Bridge station. Once your interview is scheduled, you will receive an email with all the necessary details, including confirmation of whether the interview will take place virtually or in person. This allows you to prepare accordingly, ensuring that you have the right technology or travel plans in place. You will need to be able to attend the interview in our chosen format. Please note that for virtual meetings you will need to have your camera switched on, this is both to aid our conversation and for the security of our process. We want to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible, and will provide any additional information you may need ahead of time.

The type of skills assessment you will be asked to complete depends on the specific role you are applying for. These assessments may include a short question to test your problem-solving abilities, a technical test to assess your expertise in the relevant area, or a presentation to evaluate your communication and presentation skills. You will be informed well in advance about any assessments you need to undertake, and we will provide clear instructions on how to complete them.