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Original poster

Police support staff

30 replies

Flappyjack · 21/05/2019 20:42

Desperately seeking advice....

I have been lucky enough to land myself a job interview as Police support staff on Thursday. I applied for the job in March.

Now here is the problem. I was working in the civil service and was unfortunately dismissed a couple of weeks ago.

I had already added them as a reference before dismissal. I emailed the Civil service reference dept today and they confirmed that any reference requested would include dismissal information.

I am fucked, aren't I?

Anyone know how I can cover this in my interview? To avoid dripfeed I was dismissed for poor attendance due to one ongoing problem which has resolved itself now.

I am fucked, aren't I?

OP posts:
Isthisnecessary · 21/05/2019 20:48

Not necessarily.

The police aren't stupid, and should give you a chance to explain.
Be honest with them from the start, it will look better.

You'll be ok. If you don't get the job, keep applying for others. Just don't rely on this one, or any one particular job. Get as many interviews under your belt as possible...you can always turn them down.

NerrSnerr · 21/05/2019 20:51

I would see what happens and be honest with them. I can imagine the reason you were dismissed will factor highly but just make sure you're transparent with them.

Original poster
Flappyjack · 21/05/2019 20:52

Do you think I should email beforehand and explain or try and wow them at the interview and mention it at the end.

I have already emailed to tell them I am no longer in the job. They didn't ask why but I think they may have made an assumption because it was a fixed term contract.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Crime Jobs
runwithme · 21/05/2019 20:54

What's the job? I've not been asked about why I'm leaving/looking in the interview that I had. It will come to light in the reference stage if they make a provisional offer but might not at the interview

Original poster
Flappyjack · 21/05/2019 20:55

I have emailed the Civil service and asked them to write a letter of confidence to attach to my record.

No reply.

Sigh.

I am concerned that flu and post viral flu sounds like a bad excuse, but it actually is the truth! Gah

OP posts:
Isthisnecessary · 21/05/2019 20:55

I wouldn't do anything right now. You're panicking.

Sleep on it tonight.

Original poster
Flappyjack · 21/05/2019 20:57

Do they always check references?

It's for intelligence officer.

The job looks amazing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flappyjack · 21/05/2019 20:58

Isthisnecessary you are right. Definitely panicking

OP posts:
runwithme · 21/05/2019 20:59

They asked my last two jobs for a reference and yes, they will check. They might have further questions, as any prospective employer would. Will the CS give an explanation of why you were dismissed?

CallMeRachel · 21/05/2019 21:00

Do they always check references?

It's for intelligence officer.

Absolutely yes they do! It's a major security risk not too, plus the job will be privy to very sensitive and highly confidential information.

The way I would tackle this would be to blow them away at the interview, then when they ask about your current job (they will ask) then you be honest and tell them what's happened since you applied for the role.

Honesty goes along way. Keep it factual.

Good luck

WallisFrizz · 21/05/2019 21:02

Yes they will check references. Why did you get dismissed for flu and post viral flu (which has now resolved itself)? How long had you worked for civil service? Had you ever had a year with no sickness. If sick records are the issue, and you can prove it is not fair maybe show evidence that shows previous good attendance.

hammylehamster · 21/05/2019 21:06

Don't panic.

If you want to cover it in interview ask them at the end if there's anything you haven't covered that they would like to discuss to ensure you are the best candidate for the role, it may prompt the HR rep to ask if they've already looked into your references. They may consult with occupational health.

Good luck!

Pppppppp1234 · 21/05/2019 21:07

Yes they do check references and you will have to confirm your sickness record for the previous 12 months leading up to the role.

For an intelligence officer role you would need management vetting, maybe security depending on the intel you are handling, this includes friends and family and financial vetting.

I’d be open and honest,

Original poster
Flappyjack · 21/05/2019 21:37

Thanks guys, just discussed it with my husband and actually it has left me with a disability which I disclosed in the application. I am thinking of coming at it from that angle.

Thanks for your honesty. I knew I had to do it. I want to run away but I am not going to. I am going for it.

Hurrah.

OP posts:
Papergirl1968 · 21/05/2019 22:08

I'm ex police staff.
Intel is a really interesting field to work in. It's like putting pieces of a jigsaw together until the whole picture is revealed.
Go for it, and hopefully your enthusiasm will shine through.
It might work in your favour that you have a disability as they may well have quotas to work towards.
You know police staff interviews are competency based, right, or at least they were in my force? Probably the civil service was similar.
Rather than an informal chit chat, there's likely to be a panel of three, including someone from HR, and interviews will follow a certain format. They'll expect examples from your previous role so go through the job specification and think of previous projects you've worked on that you can refer to.
I would just say at the end briefly what you were dismissed for and be clear it is sorted.
Good luck!

Pppppppp1234 · 21/05/2019 22:17

www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Development/competency-and-values-framework/Pages/Competency-and-Values-framework.aspx
This is the framework as previously mentioned, you would be practitioner level.
I’d imagine when you applied there was a similar reference to it.

You will have to give examples to include these

baubled · 21/05/2019 22:33

In my force they definitely take sickness records in to account, have a look at the person spec and see if it mentions what they class as a "good sickness record".

It's likely that the people interviewing you will be different to the ones checking references so I would say absolutely go and completely wow their socks off but also explain the circumstances surrounding your sickness/disability, try and keep it as positive as possible.

Hopefully you will get the job and then even if recruitment/HR say no based on your reference, the managers who interviewed you will say "it's okay, we still want her it's been explained and we're happy with that".

To be honest, there will be more of an allowance around a disability if it was declared on your application form.

Out of interest, what Force have you applied for, is it a large northern one by any chance?

Original poster
Flappyjack · 21/05/2019 22:34

Gosh, I really want the job.

I was wondering about competency based questions because they haven't mentioned anything about it. I will swot up tomorrow.

The application was competency based so it seems likely.

Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for tips/advice/links. I am feeling much more positive 😁

OP posts:
Original poster
Flappyjack · 21/05/2019 22:36

Baubled I haven't had a sick paper in twenty years. It was horrifying to lose my job in such a way.

I am in the south

OP posts:
Manclife1 · 21/05/2019 22:41

If they find out you’ll probably be passed over for the job. Sorry, but that’s what usually happens. There’s a massive issue in the police with sickness absence so are clamping down on it. I know of loads of people who would’ve been ideal for policing but failed to get the job based on sickness records. Add to that you were dismissed and it’s not looking good.

wizzywig · 21/05/2019 22:43

Good luck op. That job sounds amazing!

Kanga83 · 21/05/2019 22:48

Does it require DV if for intel? (Previous civil service here with DV so you can fill in the gaps). When I left (not on good terms either) it was just a basic reference, start and end dates and not performance related in any way. Because if it's DV or SC it will all come out anyway so I would say don't worry, things happen, life happens, but don't actively lie about it either.

PawPawNoodle · 21/05/2019 23:21

Totally OT but I'm shocked you lost your job for that. When I was in the Civil Service (left 2 years ago) it seemed impossible to get dismissed for illness-related absence.

AlwaysCheddar · 22/05/2019 05:10

You got dismissed for being off sick /poor attendance yet hadn’t been sick otherwise for 20 years? That sounds somewhat questionable.

Intothe · 22/05/2019 05:17

You were job-hunting before they dismissed you, so were you on a warning?

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