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Frequently asked questions

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FAQs

At Macfarlane, we update our website the moment a new role becomes available. We encourage you to check our website regularly for the latest vacancies. Please note that while we strive to remove closed vacancies weekly, some job adverts may remain active on our partner platforms (job boards like Totaljobs, CV Library, etc.) until the end of their paid period.

We only accept online applications for all roles within Macfarlane. However, if you encounter any difficulties while applying through our website’s “Apply Now” link, please feel free to contact our recruitment team directly at careers@macfarlanepackaging.com, and provide your details. Additionally, if there are no advertised vacancies that match your profile but you’re interested in future opportunities, you can send us your CV and salary expectations to be considered for our talent pool.

Absolutely! If you have any questions that aren’t addressed in this FAQ section, you can reach our recruitment team at careers@macfarlanepackaging.com. We aim to respond within 1-2 working days.

We understand the frustration of not hearing back from employers. At Macfarlane, we promise to respond to every applicant, even if the outcome is not favorable. While we typically aim to provide updates within a couple of weeks, there may be occasional delays due to project timelines. If you ever have doubts or wish to follow up, please feel free to email our recruitment team at careers@macfarlanepackaging.com to check the status of your application.

If you have an upcoming interview, we will usually send you relevant website links for your review. For future reference, you can access the following links:

Macfarlane Packaging Website

Group Website

Macfarlane Design & Manufacturing Website

Yes, you can apply for multiple roles, but please consider the differences in location, divisions, and core functions of our business. To avoid confusion, we recommend focusing on one application at a time, as multiple interviews for different positions can be complex internally.

UK legislation mandates that we can only employ individuals with the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from individuals without unrestricted “right to work in the UK” status.

As a business, we do not generally contribute towards relocation costs for applicants seeking to relocate in order to take an opportunity with us.

Most of our roles involve a two-stage interview process, allowing you to meet several team members and assess if Macfarlane is the right fit for you. Interviews are typically conducted in a relaxed, conversational style, with some competency-based questions to highlight your experience and strengths. Please note that the interview format may vary depending on the role and department. We may also conduct preliminary interviews via video (Teams/Zoom) for certain positions.

In most cases, we expect candidates to dress in formal business attire or “smart casual.” If you have any doubts or concerns, please email us at careers@macfarlanepackaging.com.

Once you confirm your attendance with our Recruitment team, you’ll receive interview confirmation details, including the location, attendees, and any specific instructions. We provide a contact number in case you encounter any issues, and we recommend confirming your travel plans well in advance.

Depending on the role, our recruitment process may include the following elements:

Presentations: For certain roles, we may request presentations as part of the interview process, with clear instructions and facilities provided.

Aptitude Assessments: Many office/professional roles involve online assessments, mainly focused on personality and psychometric profiling.

Capability Assessments: Some roles may require specific capability assessments, often related to software proficiency (e.g., MS Excel).

Trial Sessions: In later stages of the process, we may offer candidates the opportunity to observe our working practices, team dynamics, and job expectations through trial sessions. This helps candidates make informed decisions about potential job offers.

Field-Based Accompaniment Sessions: For sales positions, we may provide opportunities for candidates to accompany our sales team on customer visits, offering insights into our customer interactions and support practices.

Yes, we require details of at least two professional referees who have known you for at least three years, with one being your current or last employer. Open references, references from relatives, or friends are not accepted. Rest assured; we typically request formal references only after you formally accept our offer of employment.

We aim to provide interview outcomes as quickly as possible, usually within a few days. Following in-person interviews, we provide feedback as part of our policy.

New career opportunities are posted as they become available, so we recommend checking our vacancies regularly. However, if you’d like to register your details in our talent database, you can do so via our vacancies page or by emailing your CV to careers@macfarlanepackaging.com. You’ll receive an email requesting your consent to retain and process your details for potential openings in compliance with data protection legislation. You can request removal of your details at any time.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support individuals with disabilities during the interview process. If you have specific requirements, please contact our recruitment team ahead of your interview at careers@macfarlanepackaging.com, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

In response to changing work trends, we have adopted a hybrid working policy for many roles. However, the feasibility of hybrid working varies by site and role. Job adverts will specify whether hybrid working is an option, and if so, our policy typically requires individuals to be in the office or on-site at least three days a week. Fully remote roles are rare but may be specified in certain job adverts.

While we occasionally collaborate with select recruitment agencies, the majority of our recruitment is handled internally by our team. We may engage agencies for specific vacancies if needed.

  • Be yourself and act naturally; we want to get to know the real you.
  • Research our company and the role you’re applying for to show your genuine interest.
  • Listen carefully to questions, take time to collect your thoughts, and provide thoughtful responses.
  • Don’t hesitate to ask questions; interviews are a two-way conversation.
  • Understand that interviewers may take notes and may not maintain constant eye contact.
  • Prepare for telephone interviews as diligently as in-person interviews.

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