Application process

Our application process will ask you to complete some basic information about yourself and then answer three to five questions which are specifically related to the role that you're applying for. These could be in relation to giving excellent customer service, being creative, or solving problems. Make sure your examples are clear, specific and relevant to the job you are applying for. How you answer these questions will give us an idea of how you communicate, your skills, and what you enjoy about your work.

You can print out a summary once you have completed any part (or all) of the application form.

You need to upload your CV. Make sure it's clearly formatted, simple, up-to-date and relevant for the post you're applying for. We also encourage you to delete any personal information, such as your address, date of birth and anything else which is not relevant for us to score your application.

Your answers to the questions along with your CV will help us decide whether to invite you to interview.

After submitting your application, you will receive an acknowledgement email. If you are successful in being shortlisted, you will be invited for interview.

If you've been invited to interview, we'll provide you with all the information you need to help you prepare in advance. This includes the interview questions. We may also ask you to perform a task that is relevant to the role. You will be given information on the task in advance.

Your interview will most likely be in person at one of our sites and may include a tour of the area where relevant. If your current location or circumstances makes it difficult for you to attend onsite, then we can interview via Teams.

You will be interviewed by the recruiting manager and at least one other member of staff.

The interview panel will score your answers based on how much relevant information you have provided.

We want you to feel that you can perform your best at interview so if you need any adjustments to help with this, then please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate this. Examples include more time to answer questions, or bringing a fidget toy into the interview with you.

For information about how the Library holds and uses personal data for the purposes of employment, volunteering, and applications to work with the Library, see our privacy page, and in particular our employment privacy notice.

We are committed to promoting a safe and welcoming working environment for everyone at the National Library of Scotland. We also work to prevent or eliminate any unfair discrimination in our employment practices.

We treat applicants and staff fairly, with respect and without bias. No job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment than others because of:

• Gender or gender identity
• Sexual orientation, marital or family status
• Racial group (including colour, race, nationality, national or ethnic origin)
• Religion, religious belief, or a similar philosophical belief (or lack of any of these)
• Disability (unless such treatment is objectively justified)
• Age
• Part-time or fixed-term contract status (unless such treatment is objectively justified)
• Trade union membership status/activities.

We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and are committed to improving opportunities for disabled people. 

Find out more about our Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) commitments.