Top tips for your RLA application

Thinking about applying to be a Residence Life Assistant? Amazing!

RLAs are a vital part of the Residence Life Team at the University of Leeds. They help create welcoming, inclusive communities in halls, support fellow students, and make a real difference.

Whether you're passionate about helping others, want to develop leadership and communication skills, or simply love the idea of being part of a team, the RLA role could be a fantastic opportunity for you.

We know applying for any role can feel a little daunting, so we’ve put together our top tips to help you feel confident, prepared, and excited about the process!

Understand the Role

Before you start your application, make sure you know what you're signing up for.

Take time to read the RLA role description and terms and conditions. It’s important to understand the responsibilities and expectations so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Understanding the role allows you to write about your transferable skills in your application.

Speak to Current RLAs, Wardens, or the Residence Life Team

Want the inside scoop? Chat with someone who’s already in the role!

They can share what it’s really like, offer advice on the application process, and help you understand how to make your application stand out.

Visit the Careers Centre

The Careers Centre is an incredible resource available to all University of Leeds students.

Their expert advisors can help you write a strong application, prepare for interviews, and boost your confidence.

You can even book a mock interview! Visit the Careers Centre website to get started.

Use the STAR Method

When answering competency-based questions, structure your responses using the STAR method:

• Situation – What was the context?

• Task – What needed to be done?

• Action – What did you do?

• Result – What was the outcome?

This helps you give clear, focused answers that show your skills in action.

Highlight Relevant Experience

You don’t need formal work experience to apply. Think about times you’ve supported others - maybe through volunteering, group projects, societies, or personal experiences.

Show us how you’ve demonstrated a willingness to participate in community life, strong time management, communication, empathy and problem-solving.

Write in Full Sentences and Answer the Question Fully

This is a competitive process, and a strong application is key to securing an interview. Take your time to write clear, complete answers using full sentences.

Make sure you’ve fully addressed what each question is asking - vague or brief responses often miss the mark.

Think of your application as your first impression: make it count!

Be Authentic

We’re looking for RLAs who reflect the diversity of our student community. Don’t worry about writing the “perfect” application, we want to see you!

Let your personality and passion shine through. Avoid using Ai tools to write your application; instead, take the time to share your genuine interest in supporting students in halls.

Ai applications often look the same, lack personal touch, sometimes contain inaccuracies and are easily detected by our recruiters.

While Ai can be a valuable tool, it can be detrimental to your RLA application, so we would advise you avoid it.

Don’t Leave it to the Last Minute

Give yourself plenty of time to reflect on your experiences, draft your application, and get feedback. Rushed applications often miss key details and we want to see your best!

Applying to be a Residence Life Assistant is a brilliant opportunity to grow personally and professionally while making a real impact in your university community.

If you're enthusiastic about supporting others and building inclusive, welcoming environments in halls, we’d welcome your application

Take your time, use the resources available, and show us who you are.

If you have any questions about the application process you can always email us at residencelife@leeds.ac.uk  Good luck - we can’t wait to read your application!