Your Journey to Joining MFT: Tips, Guidance & What to Expect

Connecting Talent to Opportunity – ALL HERE FOR YOU

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), we want your recruitment experience to be as smooth and supportive as possible. Here’s what you can expect – and how to give yourself the best chance of success.

Explore Opportunities

Start by browsing the rest of our Careers Site , where you’ll find a wide range of roles across our Clinical Groups – Hospitals, Community services & Corporate Services.

Tip:
Read the Job Descriptions and Person Specifications carefully and make a note of the Essential Criteria – do you meet them?

Submit Your Application

Understanding the Trac or NHS Application Form

Once you’ve found a role that excites you, complete your application online. You’ll need to provide details of your experience, qualifications, and a supporting statement.

The Trac or NHS application form is your opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and motivation for the role. It’s structured to ensure fairness and consistency, so every candidate is assessed against the same criteria.

Key Sections of the Trac or NHS Application Form

Personal Details

Basic information: name, contact details, right to work in the UK, etc.

Tip: Double-check your contact details for accuracy.

Employment History

List your current and previous jobs, including dates, employers, job titles, and main duties.

Tip: Highlight relevant experience and explain any gaps in employment.

Education and Qualifications

Include all relevant qualifications, training, and professional memberships.

Tip: List the most recent first and include grades where possible.

Supporting Information / Personal Statement

This is the most important section. Here, you explain how you meet the Person Specification and why you’re suited to the role.

Tip:

Use the Job Description and Person Specification as a checklist.

Give clear, specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Show how your values align with the NHS and the Trust.

Be concise but thorough—avoid generic statements.

References

You’ll need to provide details for at least two referees, usually including your current or most recent employer.

Tip: Let your referees know you’re applying so they’re prepared to respond quickly.

Declarations

Questions about criminal convictions, health, and safeguarding.

Tip: Answer honestly and provide any required explanations.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

This section is not seen by the shortlisting panel and is used only for monitoring purposes.

Top Tips for Completing Your Trac or NHS Application

Read the Instructions Carefully: Each section may have specific requirements—follow them closely.
Tailor Your Application: Address the Essential and Desirable criteria in the Person Specification. Don’t be lazy and re-submit a former application from a different job! The Hiring Manager will know that this is likely a piece of text that has been copied and pasted, and this could minimise your opportunity of getting shortlisted.
Be Honest and Accurate: Don’t exaggerate or leave out important details.
Proofread: Check for spelling and grammar errors before submitting.
Save as You Go: Trac & the NHS Jobs system can time out – save your progress regularly.
Submit Before the Deadline: Late applications are not usually accepted.

Remember: The supporting information section is your chance to stand out. Use it to demonstrate your passion, experience, and suitability for the role.

Tip: Tailor your application to the role. Use examples that show how you meet the Person Specification and values of MFT.

Final Top Tips

Shortlisting

Our Hiring Managers will review all applications. If your skills and experience match what we’re looking for, you’ll be shortlisted and invited to the next stage.

Tip: Double-check your contact details so we can reach you quickly.

Selection & Assessment process

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to a selection process—this could be in person, by phone, or via MS Teams. Some roles may also include assessments, presentations, role plays, in tray exercises alongside an interview. You’ll be told in advance what the process will comprise of to enable you to adequately prepare. You’ll also need to bring documentation with you to prove your identity to the process. Your invite to selection email will guide you on what to bring.

Tip: Prepare by researching MFT, reviewing the Job Description, and thinking of examples that demonstrate your skills and values. Practice answering competency-based questions.

Offer & Pre-Employment Checks

If you’re successful, we’ll make you a conditional offer. We’ll then carry out digital pre-employment checks, in-line with NHS Employers guidelines for the role in which you have been appointed. This may include but not limited to Identify Check, Right to Work Check and Reference Checks, some roles will also require additional checks such as Qualification Checks, DBS Checks etc. 

Tip: Respond promptly to requests for documents or information to avoid delays.

Welcome to MFT!

Once all checks are complete, we’ll confirm your start date and welcome you to the team. You’ll receive a full induction and support to help you settle in.

Tip: Take advantage of induction resources and ask questions—everyone is here to help you succeed.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU – for our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application – especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions – is written by you.  This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive.  We look forward to receiving your application.