Back to Work - Civil Service?

[Jobsearcher]

Hello,

I'm looking at going back to work now my youngest is at school nursery. I'd like to get into the civil service. I have a degree and some work experience but several years of gaps due to caring for young children, but I have done voluntary work during this time.

I'm in my early 30s and would now like a job and career, to do something for me. Financially, we can manage on my DH's salary, but obviously it would be nice to have a little more money! Therefore I'm looking for jobs which I could progress in and make a career of, and I'm fortunate to be able to be a bit pickier and take my time choosing.

Can anyone please give me some advice for applying for civil service jobs, please? Am I best going for apprentice level positions to get a good on the ladder? How long does it take to hear back? I applied for one which the posotion starts in October, and the interviews are held early to mid July. The job closed beginning of June, but my application still says 'application being reviewed' - could they have offered others interviews and I'm on a reserve list?

Also, to those who recruit in the CS, do you only see competency answers when reviewing applications, or do you see the job history / gaps? Will having gaps make a difference? I left my job for maternity leave 4 years ago and never returned so I'm worried that will stand against me.

Thanks so much for reading if you still are! It's so hard trying to return to work, fingers crossed to those in the same position.

[Isleepinahedgefund]

Go in at the highest level you can - EO/HEO as a start at least, higher if you have examples that meet the criteria. Just because you have been out of the workforce doesn't mean you need to start at the bottom.

I wouldn't apply for apprentice jobs because they are fixed term and no guarantee of a job at the end of it - even if they like you, if there are no permanent positions they won't employ you going forward.

When we get your application to sift we see definitely see job history and competency answers. Can't recall if we see the rest at hat stage, but definitely get the whole application for interview. We never know your date of birth at any stage though.

Don't worry about gaps in job history, just say "time out raising family" or similar - CS is probably just about the only place that isn't held against you!

Application being reviewed means they're still at sifting stage and no one has been interviewed unless it is a rolling programme and they're reviewing in stages. CS recruitment can take a very, very, very long time - I moved govt departments recently and it took six months from application to bum on seat, which everyone thought was very quick!

Also career wise, think of the whole civil service as your career path - once you're in and have passed probation it's easy to move around. I just completely changed career paths after 12 yrs in a specialist profession.

Happy to help if you have any more questions :)

[Isleepinahedgefund]

Another couple of points:

Reserve lists are run after the campaign is competed and everyone has been interviewed - say there are 6 jobs and 12 people "pass" the interview, top 6 will be offered and other 6 places on reserve list. It's very common to be appointed from reserve lists as people often drop out.

If you need flexible working you negotiate this when you've had a provisional offer. It should be clear from the advert if it's offered (will say FT, PT, Flex working etc). I would also ring the vacancy holder prior to applying to get the lay of the land, eg if you would need to work at home 4/5 days but they need you in the office 3 days you probably don't want to apply. Some jobs have specific policies for instance at my last job you had to be office based for 6 months because there was a lot of on the job training, but aside from that they offered PT/compressed hours from the off and would offer some home working after 6 months.

[jackparlabane]

Everything Hedgefund says - in London try to get in as HEO, though EO more likely outside London.
There's a lot of jobs going atm, especially in London - we honestly can't recruit fast enough, so it's a good time to apply, especially if there's lots of areas you would be happy to work on. The big recruitment rounds might be good for you to try, as you don't have to be the best person for the job, just good enough to fill one of many posts.

[Jobsearcher]

Thank you! I think I've lost so much confidence in the time I've been off work, I've applied for a few non-civil service and haven't even had an interview - not even a no but no thanks email. I think even getting to interview stage will boost my confidence. I'm spending several afternoons a week whilst my youngest is at nursery looking and applying, it's such a disheartening process.

I'm in Yorkshire so will continue to look at EO jobs, good point about being able to move around, so will broaden my search!

I'm also relieved to know application being reviewed means just that. How much notice is there normally given for interviews? On one of the positions, it stated interviews will be held beginning of next week, I'm guessing if they're still reviewing that the interviews won't be that soon?

You've really helped reassure me and given some really helpful advice, thanks so much

[Isleepinahedgefund]

Interviews you'll have plenty of notice for - a couple of weeks I'd say.

The civil service recruitment process is pretty unique from application to appointment, so I'd strongly recommend you post here for more help as you get through each stage. The interview is uniquely formatted - not to trick you, just that it's easy to fail purely because you don't understand the process.

I'd be happy to look over your competency examples if it would help.

[whitehalleve]

I absolutely love working in the civil service as a mum. It's the most flexible, family friendly workplace. I changed to it from being a medic and it's the best thing I've done. Good luck.

[Jobsearcher]

Fab, thank you @isleepinahedgefund. I'll keep you updated!

That's great to hear, @whitehalleve. I really want to do something for me, as much as I've enjoyed being at home with the kids. It's reassuring to hear you say it's a family friendly place.

I did have a civil service fast stream interview 8 years ago. First time I didn't get past the application stage but the second stage I was invited for an assessment day in London. I wasn't too disheartened when I didn't get through to the next however as I was offered another job the day before I was told I wouldn't progress further!

[Jobsearcher]

That should read the second application!