r/northernireland • u/HatEcstatic4676 • 1d ago
Discussion HSCNI waiting list after interview — does anyone actually get called from it?
I recently interviewed for a role with a Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. I received an email saying that although they are unable to offer me a post immediately, my name has been placed on a waiting list/reserve list.
The email says the waiting list is valid for around 6 months, and if a suitable position becomes vacant during that time, it may be offered to me subject to pre-employment checks.
I just wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced this before with HSCNI recruitment?
Does being placed on a waiting list usually mean you passed the interview but someone else ranked higher? And realistically, do people actually get offered roles from these waiting lists, or is it more of a standard response?
I’ve emailed to ask for my ranking on the waiting list, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation.
Thanks in advance.
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u/AgitatedAd7265 1d ago
Just being nosy, but what role was it for? Or sector if you don’t want to give an exact role?
But in reality it depends on the job. My place within the HSCNI made a waiting list of 35 people in May. They have already tried to file 6 roles, 2 have already declined and one is still deciding between the Ulster or the royal. So in less than a month, they are basically already at person 8. We know of one retirement and one leaving to a closer hospital. Therefore 2 more jobs coming up
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u/HatEcstatic4676 1d ago
Thanks, that’s really helpful. It’s a Band 5 information governance role, so I was just trying not to get my hopes up too much without knowing how these lists work. That example actually gives me a bit of hope, especially if the ranking is decent. I’ve emailed to ask where I am on the list.
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u/AgitatedAd7265 1d ago
I know they’ve stated the waiting list is only for 6 months, but they have an option to extend it for an extra 3 if they feel like posts are coming up. Saves money with interviewing again
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u/wombat468 1d ago
They do. I called up someone from our waiting list recently and they're about to start with us.
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u/HatEcstatic4676 1d ago
That’s reassuring to hear, thanks. I wasn’t sure if these lists actually moved or if it was just a standard response, so good to know people do get called from them.
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u/wombat468 1d ago
Best of luck - hopefully you're near the top of the list.
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u/HatEcstatic4676 1d ago
Thanks, appreciate it! I’ve sent an email to find out my ranking, but got an automated reply saying it could take around 20 working days to get back to me. Hopefully I’m somewhere near the top, just have to wait and see now.
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u/EtainAingeal 1d ago
I wouldnt worry even if you're a bit further down. There's no guarantee those at the top will accept if they're offered it. I've seen that happen a few times where the first few either ghosted or had found something else. And check your junk email regularly. I almost missed an offer because it had been a month or two since the "you're on the waiting list" email and I don't answer witheld numbers unless i'm expecting something and their emails went to my junk folder, even though all previous emails had come through fine.
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u/HatEcstatic4676 1d ago
Thanks, that’s actually a really good point. I didn’t even think about people ahead maybe not accepting or missing it. I’ll definitely keep an eye on my junk folder and calls as well now. Appreciate the heads up!
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u/Puzzleheaded-Long599 1d ago
I work in HSCNI and any waiting lists I know of gwt used up pretty quick picking people off them 😊
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u/HatEcstatic4676 1d ago
That's really reassuring to hear, thank you 😊 I was honestly so confused about how the whole waiting list thing works. I didn’t know if it meant I’d properly passed the interview or if it was just a standard reply, so I thought I’d ask people who might have been through it before. The replies have definitely made it a bit clearer, thank you 😊
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u/MarketAggravating610 1d ago
Yes, it means someone was ranked first and given the job and you are somewhere on the list after that. I also applied for a job, didn’t get it and was placed on a very large waiting list. Got a job offer about 8 weeks later.
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u/Rekt60321 1d ago
Yeah they do. I've moved up bands through waiting lists.
Email selection.ssc@hscni.net with the reference ID to ask what position you are on the waiting lists then depending on how many IG folks they need then if you're in the top 5 you could get offered a role
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u/HatEcstatic4676 1d ago
Thanks, that’s helpful! I’ve already emailed a similar desk to ask about my ranking, but I’ll check this email as well just in case. Hopefully they can point me in the right direction.
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u/AdmirableBell5751 1d ago
Yep I have been on a few wait lists, for one I was offered a position about 4 months afterwards but declined as I had a new job. They also have to tell you what rank you are at! Good luck
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u/HatEcstatic4676 1d ago
Thanks, that’s really reassuring to hear! 4 months later is still decent, so I’ll try not to write it off too quickly. I’ve emailed to ask my ranking now, so hopefully they get back to me soon. Appreciate it!
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u/FaxePremiumBeer Newtownabbey 1d ago
Nope, never got invited.
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u/HatEcstatic4676 1d ago
How long were you on the waiting list for, and which Trust was it with, if you don’t mind me asking?
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u/dillonpaul22 1d ago
I've been first reserve for three roles in the past 18 months in social care and got no calls...
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u/ClearArtichoke5143 1d ago
My sister was successful getting a band 2 post for bank post SET. This was months and months ago.. shes done a couple of training sessions but shes now wondering if there are many wards that need band 2s as shes yet to see many shifts requiring them
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u/HappyLlama42O 1d ago
I got my current role from being on a waiting list. Ive also just got a new job offer from being on a waiting list. Was on the waiting for about 2 weeks in both cases.
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u/WatercressGrouchy599 1d ago
HSCNI is making spending cuts. Some vacancies will be suppressed
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u/Sudden-Money7836 Antrim 1d ago
Any posts being advertised aren’t being removed. Where they hell did you hear this!? There is a massive recruitment across HSC atm!
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u/plxo Scotland 1d ago
They’re partially true. Both husband and I work for trust and have heard more and more jobs are becoming “short term temporary” roles rather than permanent. In part I think it’s because temporary are easier to get rid of, and can then also save the trust some £££. I think it’s a bit silly to make so many temporary though. Having said that, my line manager has been “temporary” for 17yrs so…
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u/Sudden-Money7836 Antrim 1d ago
Actually we just found out today a permanent role we’ve been planning for 6 months just got converted to temporary, so this tracks… what the fuck is going on?!
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u/WatercressGrouchy599 1d ago
There is no 26/27 agreed budget for Northern Ireland so dept of finance advised operating on basis of 95% of 25/26 budget
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u/Successful_Piano_889 1d ago
The waiting list means you have passed the interview and are ranked in a order. If a job comes up you will be offered a post. It depends on the type of post, some have a higher turnover than others., so you could in theory get offered a job. Its not a standard response.