Guidelines for sending applicants to apply on your website

When posting a job on Patchwork Hub, you can choose how applicants apply. 

If you wish to manage candidates using Patchwork Hub’s candidate management system, simply leave the 'Provide URL' section blank on the Post a Job page. When candidates click ‘Apply Now’, they will then be required to upload their application to Patchwork Hub directly. For more information on this, read our ‘What type of material can candidates submit to us?’ article.

However, if you would like the candidates to be taken to an external or third-party website, you will need to include the link to the particular webpage you'd like applicants to be directed to in the 'Provide URL' section on the Post a Job page.

Accessibility considerations when sending applicants to apply on your website 

When directing applicants to your own or third-party websites, please be aware of the accessibility standards of the website you are directing candidates to. 

The website you have linked to might not meet the required accessibility standards for candidates who use assistive technology or have additional needs. If a website is not accessible, our job seekers may be excluded from applying for your jobs, or may not be able to access the external website entirely. It’s also worth noting that a certain minimum level of web accessibility is now a legal requirement. Please read this Overview of UK website accessibility laws if you require any further information.

Here are some of our top tips to ensure that your website is as accessible as possible:

Allow users to adjust font size and contrast

It’s important to ensure that your content can be easily adapted to meet the needs of every user. For example, some people may be unable to read text if there is not enough contrast between the text and background. As part of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Level AAA requires a contrast ratio of at least 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. To check your contrast ratings, you may wish to use Webaim’s Contrast Checker.

Add alt text to all images

Alt text, or alternative text, describes an image for those with visual impairments and individuals using assistive technology. This allows screen readers to “read” pictures for candidates who are unable to see them. In some cases, alt text may also provide a description of images if a webpage is unable to load for any reason. For advice on how to write good alt text, check out this GOV.UK article.

Check that your site is keyboard-friendly

Many assistive technologies rely on keyboard-only navigation. It’s therefore important that your website has full keyboard accessibility. For more information about keyboard accessibility, check out Webaim’s article on this.

Structure your content

Break up your content where possible by using headers and bullet points. Additionally, write any content in plain English, and try to keep sentences to 20 words or fewer. This will make your website easier to navigate and digest. For more information about accessible writing, you can read about the Crystal Mark standard.

If you need support to make your website and content more accessible, Patchwork Hub and our impact partners can help. We offer a range of services focusing on digital accessibility and also provide training and consultancy services on inclusive recruitment. To find out more about our services, please visit our Services Overview page or get in touch via our Contact page.