Application tips

Application process

The first step is to identify which career pathway is best for you, either

A) Bank of England career programmes

If you are at the start of your career, returning to your career, or you are a researcher, you may want to apply for one of our career pathway programmes.

B) Recruitment portal

If you have work experience, you can search for jobs through our recruitment portal. 

We run an anonymised application process to ensure that hiring  managers will not be able to see your personal information (including CV and covering letter) when reviewing your application. It’s important that you complete the sections on ‘work history’ and answer all screening questions fully at application stage. These answers form a critical part of the initial selection process. If a role is advertised as more than one location you will have the opportunity during the application to select your preferred location. Please note your preferred location will have no bearing on the successful outcome of your application.

If you are applying for a specific program, information is available on our Future talent page. 

The Disability Confident Scheme

We’re a member of the Disability Confident scheme and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace.  

When applying for a job with us, applicants have the option to disclose any disability. Applicants who choose to share their disability with us – who also meet the minimum requirements of the job description - will automatically go through to the first stage in the assessment process (except in the case of very high application volumes, where it may only be possible to select those who best meet the minimum criteria).

The selection process

Depending on the type of role you apply for, you may have to sit a test or a short series of tests before we can consider you for an interview. This is usually the case for analytical, clerical or administrative roles. We will let you know ahead of time if you have to sit a test.

Whatever role you apply for, if you are successfully shortlisted (pass screening), you will need to attend an interview - either virtually or in person - at our offices. This will be with at least two members of staff.

The interview will cover:

• your CV or application form
• questions around the skills and experience required for the role
• and questions relating to Our Bank Behaviours.

Our Bank Behaviours define effective behaviours we need to reflect in our daily working practices, encouraging everyone to act in a way that empowers us to give our best.  

For the majority of roles, you may be invited to attend a second interview with a senior manager and if you have applied for a senior or specialist role, there may also be a third interview.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring that reasonable adjustments are made to our selection processes where needed and that workplace adjustments are available to our employees.

Our ‘Bank Behaviours’

Our Bank Behaviours is our ethos on  how we do things, how we treat others, and how we expect to be treated. The behaviours are to:

Pre-employment checks

If we offer you a job, the offer will depend on:

• references
• security clearance
• identity checks
• criminal record checks
• credit checks
• proof of qualifications
• immigration clearance (where relevant).

You will also need to complete a medical questionnaire.

Please note, National Security Vetting (NSV) is required for all staff joining the Bank of England. This usually takes around 3-4 weeks after a position has been offered, but can take much longer. During this time, we advise that you should not hand in notice to your current employer. If security clearance is not granted, we will have to retract our offer of employment.

There are the following geographical limitations to this:

• We cannot conduct National Security Vetting (NSV) on any individual - be it a contractor or member of staff -  if they have no UK footprint and have no intention on working from a UK jurisdiction (such as UK embassies and other UK ‘managed’ locations).
• National Security Vetting (NSV) is required for all roles at the Bank. Please note there are occasions where the Bank must complete overseas checks to obtain assurances for security clearance -  when someone has resided outside the UK within the last five years. There are certain overseas countries where it is not possible for the Bank to complete the necessary checks to obtain the assurance needed for security clearance. In these situations, the Bank will be unable to employ you. It is important that applicants provide details of any residence outside the UK within the last five years. The list of countries where we are unable to obtain sufficient assurance changes from time to time, so please check with your Bank contact if you obtain an interview.

Where will I work?

The majority of roles are located at either our London offices in Bank and Moorgate or our Leeds city centre office. On our jobs adverts you’ll find the location(s) where the role is available from and can select your preferred location during your application.

How we’ll contact you

We'll email you after you apply to acknowledge receipt of your application.

If you are unsuccessful at the screening stage, we will email you to let you know.  Please note that due to high volumes, we can’t offer individual feedback at this stage.

If successful at screening stage, we will email you again (please ensure you check junk and spam folders) shortly after the application deadline to arrange tests/interviews with you. We keep in contact throughout this process and will update you with the outcome.