FAQs about applying for a job with Royal Mail Group

Recruitment for Christmas employees normally starts in September each year. Please check the website at this time for an update.

Royal Mail only accepts applications through an online recruitment system. Royal Mail does not accept paper applications. Please follow the detailed instructions online using the link below:

Search & Apply (new window)

Royal Mail’s recruitment system will only enable you to proceed when all sections have been completed. Please log back into the system and check that you have a tick against each section on your summary page. If your application status displays ‘Submitted’, you have completed your application correctly.

When completing your details please ensure that your activity history covers the last 5 years. If you leave a gap of more than 14 days in your activity history you will not be able to progress with your application. For your current activity please ensure that you leave the end date section blank.

Occasionally job adverts may be closed earlier than the planned date, due to a high volume of interest. Try searching in your preferred area to see if there are any other vacancies available.

Please contact your line manager.

If your status in the summary page is showing as incomplete application, you can cancel at anytime by selecting the withdraw option.

If you have submitted your application, received an email to complete an online test and wish to withdraw, you do not have to take any action. You should receive an email to notify you that you have not been successful. This does not affect you applying for other Royal Mail Group jobs.

If you are due to attend an interview and wish to withdraw, please send an email to the address provided in the interview confirmation email you will have received.

If you choose to withdraw an application, this will not affect any other applications that you may have made, or may make at a future date.

Work experience placements are offered at the discretion of local managers, depending on local operational circumstances.  If you are interested in a work experience placement, you should write to the manager of your nearest Royal Mail Delivery Office and they will be able to advise you whether or not any opportunities are available.

Royal Mail has contracts with Angard, Manpower, Pertemps and Depoel. Angard manage the supply of all industrial workers, Manpower and Pertemps supply drivers only to the organisation except in instances where Angard cannot supply. Depoel provide all PFWW supply regardless of job role.

Under the Agency Worker Regulation, you can apply for any role that is advertised for internal candidates or any role that is advertised for external candidates. You can apply in the same way as any other applicant. This is generally through Royal Mails intranet or internet sites.

Please contact your Royal Mail line manager.

You are expected to answer truthfully any questions regarding unspent convictions or pending prosecutions and Royal Mail Group Ltd will require your consent to a criminal record check as part of the recruitment process. The following offences if ‘unspent’ are considered unacceptable in new recruits to Royal Mail.
PPlease note: The list below is not exhaustive but instead is designed to give an indication of the type of offences that Royal Mail normally considers unacceptable.

• Theft and all offences of dishonest appropriation (including going equipped to burgle, taking a vehicle without consent, handling stolen property, making-off without paying)
• Fraud, forgery or counterfeiting offences (including benefit deception, traveling on public transport without paying)
• Firearms and weapons offences (including possessing a sharp object in public, possession of a noxious gas)
• Terrorism (other than certain conflict-related offences subject to the Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement - these do not need to be declared during application and will be considered by applying the employers’ guidance issued by the Office of the First Minister & Deputy First Minister, Northern Ireland)
• Offences under the Postal Services Act 2000 and prior legislation
• Arson
• Supply or intent to supply any category of drugs or possession of category A drugs
• Offences against the Justice System (including perjury, bribery, making false statements, contempt of court)
• Offences against the person (including assault, causing grievous or actual bodily harm, battery, affray, racial or verbal harassment, making threats)
• Sexual offences
• Breaches of orders

In addition for certain roles e.g. driving vacancies, the requirements may differ and for some roles may be determined by industry security standards.

Please be aware that none of these examples are exhaustive and if unsure, advice should be sought prior to making any decisions based on these.

For further information please see the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.