Our hiring process
Our recruitment pledge
We want 'everyone in our recruitment process to find it a positive and rewarding experience. We do this by providing an engaging, inclusive and accessible process.
We'll do whatever it takes to ensure you can be at your best by putting you at the heart of the process. We will strip out any barriers stopping you from being successful. We also offer advice and support to every candidate who applies to a role with us.
We want you to bring your true self, which is your best self to the process. Sharing what makes you who you are, and why you want to join our very special organisation.
We also hire for a mixture of technical skills and experience, knowledge, potential, values and behaviours. If you're not sure you tick all the boxes, then even better. We want to hear from you.
We can't promise every candidate a job, but we guarantee that we will do everything to ensure you walk away from your interview feeling positive.
We are really excited to meet you, listen to you and hear all about your journey to date. Best of luck in your application and check out our How to Apply Toolkit for further information and advice.
Help with your application
We have created a toolkit to support you in your job application. This includes helpful topics, including:
- Top tips to complete your application
- What happens after shortlisting
- Tips for your assessment or interview
- Recruitment adjustments
- Providing us with feedback.
If you want to discuss your application or anything further about careers at Macmillan Cancer Support, please email us: peopleservices@macmillan.org.uk.
Frequently asked questions
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How do I apply?
You can create an account on our recruitment portal called eArcu. Keep your username and password handy for every time you log in. You can also log in using your Google, LinkedIn, Facebook or Microsoft account.
Once you have completed your personal details you then need to go to current vacancies to find the vacancy you are interested in, then click ‘Apply Now’ and this will take you through the application process.
Our application process is anonymised, so that everyone has an opportunity to be part of a fair, robust and inclusive process. Please note for some of our vacancies we might ask for your CV and a supporting statement as we embed this process. -
Will my interview be virtual?
If you’re shortlisted, we’ll invite you to attend an interview, or for some roles an assessment centre. We will send you details of your interview and confirm if it will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams or in person.
Most of our interviews and assessments are held virtually. This is to accommodate both candidates and our hiring managers who may be based in different locations across the UK, and to keep our interviewing process flexible and accessible to everyone.
We currently use Microsoft Teams for all virtual interviews. You can download the latest application or access Teams via your internet browser on your desktop or mobile device.
Download Microsoft Teams
When invited to interview, you will be told whether your interview will be in person or virtual. Interviews in person will only take place in line with the government COVID-19 guidance. -
If my interview is in person, where will it take place?
If you are invited to interview you will receive an email asking you to log in to the careers site to book a slot. The interview slots will state where the interview is taking place and provide you with a map of the location.
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What shall I wear to the interview?
We encourage you to dress as you usually would for an interview (smart or smart casual).
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What is an assessment centre?
We tend to use assessment centres if we are recruiting more than one person into a role, typically our fundraising managers or customer support roles. Assessment centre sessions typically last from 10am to 3pm and include a range of group and individual exercises.
They are a good opportunity for you to show your potential in a variety of work-based scenarios – and equally provide an opportunity to find out lots more about us and the role. -
Where are you based?
We have offices in Glasgow, Shipley and London. Find out where our offices are.
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What does home-based or split location mean?
Home-based simply means your home location will be your office as opposed to being based in one of Macmillan’s UK offices.
Where this arrangement is in place, we will provide the standard equipment and materials necessary to carry out your role eg stationery, IT equipment and any office furniture. You will also be reimbursed for reasonable costs of necessary travel on Macmillan business from your home location.
Dual location or split location means that you can carry out your role working from home and based from one of our offices. The expectation for the number of days based at home or in the office will be outlined in the job advert, but if it isn't it is something we would recommend asking the hiring manager.
Examples of this are:- 2 days working from home, 3 days based in our London office
- 4 days working from home, 1 day based in our Glasgow office.
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How can I prepare for my interview?
At Macmillan, we interview based on values and competencies. Here is a useful guide to help you get a feel for our process, the types of questions we might ask, and some tips for how to prepare for a virtual interview. Make sure to review the role profile and think of examples where you have demonstrated the skills, experience and values we are looking for. Also have a good look through the Macmillan website and LinkedIn to understand the sort of work we do and how the position you are interviewing for might fit in.
Don’t forget to bring your passport with you for proof of your right to work in the UK. If you don’t have a passport see following FAQ.
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What if I don't have a passport?
If you don’t have a valid passport see this list of other documents that you can provide to prove your eligibility to work in the UK.
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Do you pay for interview travel expenses?
Unfortunately we are not able to contribute to candidate travel expenses so please bear this in mind prior to booking your interview.
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I'm applying for a job asking for my CV, but I can't upload it. What's wrong?
Make sure your CV is in one of the following formats: txt, rtf, doc or docx. Because of the way the software creates your application form we are unfortunately not able to accept documents in PDF format, but our system will convert your CV into a PDF when you upload it.
If your CV is in one of the accepted file formats listed above but you are still having problems then please contact the People Services Team. -
I can't apply online - who do I contact?
Please email the People Services Team and we will be happy to assist you.
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How can I get feedback on my interview?
We offer feedback to all interviewed candidates. This can be arranged by contacting the People Services Team, who will forward your request to the hiring manager.
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How can I get notifications of new vacancies?
You can register for job alerts on our website. You can also follow us on Twitter and join us on LinkedIn.
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Who can help me with technical problems?
If you are having problems applying online please email the People Services Team and we will try to solve the problem for you.
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How do I become a Macmillan professional?
Macmillan professionals are experts in providing cancer care. Based in hospitals, in doctor's surgeries as well as in the community, together, they listen to people living with cancer to understand what they need and deliver the right care at the right time. They don't just treat the cancer, they treat the whole person. Find out about Macmillan Health and Social Care professional jobs and apply for vacancies through the NHS jobs website.
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How can I intern at Macmillan?
We are currently reviewing our internships, apprenticeships and graduate scheme offering for 2022. Read more about Early Careers at Macmillan.
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How can I volunteer for Macmillan?
Find out more about volunteering at Macmillan.
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I didn't get shortlisted, can I get feedback?
We are unfortunately unable to give individual feedback to applicants not invited to interview due to the large amount of applications we receive across a wide range of vacancies.
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When will I hear the outcome of my application?
We aim to inform all candidates of the outcome of their application within a week of the closing date. However, there are occasions where the volume of applications means the shortlisting process can take longer than expected. So you may have to bear with us.
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How will I find out if my application has been successful?
We will communicate with you via the email address you registered with to keep you up to date about your application, including:
- confirmation of starting your application
- confirmation of submitting your application
- outcome of shortlisting
- invitations to book an interview
- outcome of your interview
- ad hoc information and updates.
If you don’t hear from us via email, please check your spam/junk email filters and add peopleservices@macmillan.org.uk as a contact.
If you are still not receiving emails, you can check the status of your application by logging into your profile and clicking on 'My progress updates.' If you need to speak to someone please contact us. -
How will you use my data?
Macmillan will use the personal data provided by you on this site for the purpose of recruitment services, to provide you with information and contact you about any job applications that you might make.
We will also share the information that you provide with our recruitment partner, eArcu Limited, for the purposes set out above and in order that it can deal with personnel issues for successful candidates. Should you have any queries regarding the use of your personal data, please contact peopleservices@macmillan.org.uk.
We promise to keep your details safe and never sell or swap them with anyone. Our Privacy Policy explains how we keep this promise.
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How do I apply for a role at Macmillan?
You can create an account on our recruitment portal called eArcu. You can create and login in using a Google, LinkedIn, Facebook or Microsoft account.
Keep your username and password handy for every time you login.
Once you have completed your personal details, go to current vacancies and find the vacancy you are interested in. Click 'apply' and this will take you through the application process. -
What is the application process?
We use a partial anonymised process. This aims to prevent recruiting managers from consciously or unconsciously applying bias.
Candidates are expected to complete 3 to 4 questions as part of their application on our careers site rather than submitting CV information. CVs only tell us half the story, so by using application questions you have the opportunity to be yourself, show your values and have some fun in this process.
Application questions make our recruitment process fairer as we look for a mixture of skills, strengths, experience, knowledge and values. This is why we don't ask for education information. We may ask for a summary of your career experience and not the names of the organisations you've worked for in the past.
Each application question has a character limit. You can find this on the bottom of the question box.
During the application stage, we may also ask for personal information. Once the application has been submitted, the hiring manager will not be able to see any personal details relating to each candidate. They will evaluate the candidate based on the merit of their answers. -
When will I hear the outcome of my application?
We aim to tell all candidates the outcome of their application within 10 days of the closing date. However, there are occasions where the volume of applications means the shortlisting process may take longer than expected.
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How will I find out if my application has been successful?
We will contact you via the email address you registered with. We will send you updates including:
- confirmation of starting your application
- confirmation of submitting your application
- outcome of shortlisting
- invitations to book an interview
- outcome of your interview
- other information and updates.
If you don't hear from us by email, please check your spam or junk email folders and add peopleservices@macmillan.org.uk as a contact.
If you are still not receiving emails, you can check the status of your application by logging into your profile and clicking on 'My progress updates.' If you need to speak to someone about your application, please contact: peopleservices@macmillan.org.uk. -
How can I prepare for my interview?
Make sure you have a good look through the role profile. Think of examples from your work or personal experience where you have demonstrated the values, skills and experience we are looking for.
Don't worry if you don't think you meet all the criteria. We are also interested in meeting candidates who demonstrate potential for the role.
Have a good look through our website and Macmillan’s LinkedIn page to understand our work we do and how the role you are applying for is valuable to the organisation.
Don't forget to have your passport and other important documents available which show proof of your right to work in the UK. If you don't have a passport, read the following FAQ. -
If my interview is in person where will it take place?
If you are invited to an interview, you will receive an email asking you to log in to the careers site to book a slot for your interview.
The interview slots state where the interview is taking place and provides you with a map of the location.