Civil Service Application Low Score

[HannahGW]

Hi all,

I just applied for an Executive Officer Role. I have never worked in the civil service before so new to the VERY confusing application process.

However, my friend works in the CS and helped me with my application - I just received my scores and got a 2 on my CV and 3 on personal statement.

My CS friend also got a 2 on her CV yet she ended up getting an interview and the job anyways.

With this in mind, I listed all my relevant jobs, gave very detailed descriptions of my responsibilities making sure to highlight those relevant to the person specification - I then wrote an achievement section for each role highlighting the job spec again, ie using words like "delivering at a pace on X because of X which shows X".

I really spent time to tailor my CV to the job role and use achievements that directly reflected the person spec. Its not like I just listed my roles with no further information.

Im therefore so confused how I scored so low? The job spec also didnt ask for any specific job requirements or experience rather was open to everyone and wanted more general stuff like "interest in policy, management skills" . My job roles have been in policy and management so I ticked the boxes there.

Im just so so confused.

I also got a 3 on personal statement - I made sure I answered the questions they asked me and used explanations. I do agree looking back that I could have done better but they asked 6 questions and only gave you 750 words so thats only 125 words per questions! Its impossible to get your point across in such little words?!

I think I should have at least scored 4's and be allowed to interview.

Does anyone have any insight into why I scored so low - particularly on the CV section?!

I have two degrees from good universities, I have a lot of good job experience - I'm potentially slightly under qualified for the role but not by a large margin, I feel like I really tailored my CV to the job spec particularly in highlighting my achievements.

I have asked them to give me more feedback and am trying to raise them to look at my application in more depth because I really do not think it is fair.

I understand the Civil Service is another world, but my CV has got me some great jobs and no one has ever said it is weak, rather the opposite.

It just feels like a total punch in the face.

I've been told there is an art to applying for jobs in the civil service and it's very specific. I'm sure the will be lots advice online if you research it.

Don't be disheartened, I know people who have applied lots of times and it took them a while to work out how to approach the application.

They wouldn’t have taken your academic qualifications into account really. The Personal statement needs to score a 4 (out of 7) to get an interview.

Were there specific questions or did they have a person specification you needed to match your statement to?

I thought cvs were scored differently but I could be wrong, I’ll check in the morning.

I work for civil service and recently sifted for a internal EO post but not all adverts are structured in the same way

Thank you so much for your message and your help I really appreciate it! I know I’m clever and have experience but getting such low scores has ruined my confidence and if I understood where I went wrong, I think I’d feel better!

So, they asked for a CV and for you to outline your main achievements - which I did.

The personal statement asked you to write a statement showing;

● Strong interest in policy development

( I wrote that I did have a strong interest and it’s evident as i work for an NGO in teaching about law and policy and could bring my knowledge of policy development, passion for change and ability to teach to the dept)

● Project management skills

(Could have probably done better was pretty generic in saying I had all the key skills and I have managed several projects - but could have been more specific and proved it a bit more rather than saying I had all the skills)

● Good people management skills

Again think I could have been more specific but used all the “buzz” words and said stuff like I’ve trained junior staff and managed my teams work load. But again so hard to say all this and back it up with specific examples in 115 words.

● Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills

(Again probably too generic but said I’d done presentations and written reports and been a representative for my company at networking events so have good verbal skills and written skills as I write client reports and emails and static website content and am educated to masters level which requires strong written skills)

● Able to organise a daily workload by priorities and be able
to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment

( I think I did really well on this one, I used a good example of me helping to move all our work online due to covid 19 and we had network issues which caused our workload to be doubled however We worked at a pace and delivered on time and to a high standard - maybe what marked me down was that I used a mixture of “I” and my team, I said my team and I worked at a pace.....? Maybe they didn’t like that?

I think a 2 and a 3 is incredibly harsh.

I think I probably deserved two 4s and looking back on my application I could kick myself as now that I’ve spent more time in reading through all the literature and reading online comments and YouTube videos I do understand the CS a bit more.

I think it’s just really alienating for people who excel and get good CV and application feedback from private companies, yet get absolutely slated in a CS application.

I know how to write a CV and application, I got several people to read my application - two were senior managers and one is a CEO and all of them said it was good.

So to get a TWO out of 7 on a CV to me, feels like they’re saying you can’t even spell your own name.

Anyways! I clearly wasn’t what they wanted or I clearly sold myself short and it’s a learning experience! I just would like to understand a bit more so I can improve and do myself justice in future if I applied to a CS role.

I’m hoping they will give me more feedback but I don’t think they will at this stage.

I have a job and a roof over my head so am grateful! Onwards and upwards!!!

Did you use the behaviour framework and cover the key points at the appropriate grade? It's unusual for the CV bit to actually be assessed, but re PS we don't look for generic statements, we're looking for demonstrable evidence. Buzzwords don't work well either. A 3 means you just didn't quite hit the bar. No-one gets 7 so don't think of it that way. Essentially 4 is a pass and 3 is a not-quite. A 2 is quite unusually low though, so I wonder if you put something which they saw as a negative and marked you down. Also worth considering how you came across in terms of SPAG etc. Did you also follow the application rules (e.g. didn't use name of Uni etc). (I'm CS and do a lot of recruitment.)

It IS AN ART. That I need to learn 😂

I think in one way the behaviours are great and from the surface it looks like a great way to apply and use the STAR method ect. However, in practice .......it’s impossible. I’ve read loads of comments online saying people have used the same application for several CS posts and the marks differ radically.

I clearly wasn’t up to scratch and that’s fair, but I think the marks are far too harsh. 2s and 3s seem like I did the bare minimum. I certainly did not do the bare minimum! I’d expect 4s as i answered the questions and gave examples and my CV was relevant and directly reflect the job specs. However, could definitely have been more specific and brought in more behaviours.

Yeah I totally agree with you with the personal statement and it needed to be on the mark a bit more - for my CV there’s no evidence of my universities, took out all the names. Can they mark you DOWN?!

I would have thought marking down would not be allowed?! Surely your experience shouldn’t be a negative but only a positive?

Yes, marks do differ unfortunately across the board. I’m pretty sure cvs are not scored out of 7 but I’d need to check.

It’s so disappointing as you clearly have loads of examples. The civil service applications work well with STAR with the main emphasis on the impact of your actions etc.

It’s a loss for the civil service really as good people like you aren’t getting a proper look in.

PM me if you’d like me to look over anything, I may be able to help make it more “civil service” in case you wanted to apply for other jobs

I’m a current civil servant and always use the same competency answers on the application form. I’ve scored from 2-7s using the exact same answers! I’ve just received feedback for one job and scored 4s and 5s.

Awh your so kind thank you !!! I really appreciate you saying this. I feel like I did miss the CS mark and thanks to everyone’s comments I can accept that and realise where I went wrong. I’m just upset I let myself down as I know I could do this job, and I genuinely feel that if the team I would have worked with, read my statement, they’d probably have given me an interview as my experience perfectly matches. It was for a Cultural property advisor - I have a full working knowledge of the law, teach law to law makers abroad, I’m a trained researcher and have had senior management roles. I also discussed my passion for cultural heritage protection through policy and how I basically dedicate my every waking moment to doing it.

And have two degrees in archaeology and cultural heritage management. And volunteer all my time to protecting heritage.

This really was a dream job in cultural heritage policy that I’m perfect for.

I just sold myself short. Never mind! I’m sure there will be more posts in the years to come and I will apply again!

It's definitely a bit of a specific skill.

In my profession we are always looking for definite examples/evidence rather than just buzz words. Plus as its non-HR civil servants who do the sift (in my case) the clearer you can make it the better, so one example per person specification/behaviour, to save us hunting around in a personal statement.

For example for the delivery at pace: an intro sentence with some buzz under stress/time words so it's clear you are addressing this behaviour. Then "I was asked to do x, within x timeframe. I did steps x, y while balancing other commitments x, y. Despite the tight deadline I did x to ensure high quality. I completed it on time and therefore x happened as a result."

Please don't be put off from applying again!

Don’t be hard on yourself. I was just part of an interview and sift panel for a EO boring job at MOD (basically inbox management). 200 applications. I’d say about 75% of those who applied were more qualified for a Director level job. The level of applications atm is incredibly high so people are being marked lower simply because the bar is higher and we cannot reasonably interview 100+ people.

On the six questions and 125 words a question. It’s an art. In a speedy policy job (like those at MOD or FCDO) you need to be able to write concisely and quickly.

You’ll get there. Just instead of thinking about all the things you think you did right, focus on the areas you could improve.

For example...for excellent verbal and written communication skills...they’re looking for someone they can stick in front of a Minister/SoS and get the job done without senior hand-holding. They won’t be fussed about reports you’ve written or people you’ve line managed etc; they’ll want proof you can explain complex policy quickly and concisely to Ministers. Some Ministers will take a ‘box-note’ which is 120 words. Imagine, for example, having to explain an assassination attempt on a visiting diplomat including next steps and implications in 120 words or explain why a particular decision and to be taken immediately in 120 words. That’s the sort of level some managers will be wanting in an employee.

Next time think about what skills you have that can be transferred and WHY they want to know rather than just throwing examples out into the air. One good example is better than three average ones

You are so spot on and this is AMAZING advice. Wish I’d spoken to you all BEFORE. But it’s happened and more roles relating to my interest will come up in future. It’s been a great learning experience that’s for sure. You guys are amazing and offering such good advice and I definitely missed the mark but in future I wont!!!

I feel invigorated to apply again.....just need to wait for an opening haha. Don’t think there’s many within the cultural policy dept but I’ll keep my eyes peeled for sure. I’m only 27 so still just at the start of my career.

It sounds from what you said that you put forward your skills quite generically. To score higher you probably need to use a specific example for each question. The question you think you scored most highly on was the one example that you gave a specific scenario. Stick to the STAR format and you'll be on track. Also EO is lower managerial level (although probably without line management responsibility?) But examples should focus on I rather than We (but if your I benefitted the We, all the better iykwim). Rightly or wrongly it's all a matter of technique to get through a sift. But it sounds like you've absolutely got lots of skills, it's just a matter of putting them in the right format. Good luck with future applications & report back when you get your success!

I know it's discouraging and it seems a bit of a dark art but for the examples you give, I think the marks are probably about right. I would probably have only marked the one about moving info online well as it's the only clear example you give.

As PPs have said, it's a specific technique. The CS isn't really that bothered about your academic quals (although they might be included as a requirement more of a filter than anything).

Just use one example per answer, use STAR and look at the profiles online. Focus on what you did and what this achieved, not a vague list of skills with no proof. As you mention your experience is in policy, for comms, why didn't you give a policy example, not writing reports and emails?

To echo a PP, for a policy job, concise writing is essential. Ministers simply do not have time to wade through submissions that are long and wordy, they need clear summaries and recommendations. This is a good way to demonstrate that.

I'm a senior civil servant and do some recruitment.

There is definitely an art to CS applications - as people have said you must use the STAR method and always give specific examples. For example, in situation (problem that needed to be solved) I used X tactic (because of...) with X results.

Don't give generic examples but be very specific and talk about results and how the results were evaluated.

I hope that helps, by the way 3 is not a poor score. Nearly everyone I have interviewed has scored between 4.1 and 5.9.

6 and 7are almost unheard of.

I mean everyone who has been successful at interview. So, 4.1is a good score.

Agree re the applications being an art, and also different departments/teams/people marking the same application differently - partially depending on what they're looking for. Definitely don't let it put you off applying again. Good luck!

Thanks everyone!

I feel so silly now as I knew of the star method and on the application it asked for you to do the INTERVIEW in Star but said nothing about using it in your written application so I just didn’t see as a requirement. I obviously gave examples and evidence but was generic in the hopes of covering more skills and showing my breadth thinking the interview would delve deeper into things.

I feel like the CS need to be clearer with what they want as what they want is so specific and not really required by private employers - I’ve always had really strong feedback on my cv and applications and usually get the job!

However!! I also think I just didn’t grasp it and I made an obvious mistake knowing what I know now - and I think if I had a chance to re-apply I’d get that 4 or 5 easily.

Just need to wait! Hopefully they’ll be another opening in the department within the next 12 months!

@unbotheredbutbewildered - crikey, was it an internal or external role you were recruiting for? That’s a lot of applicants!

Glad you’ve got some good advice and feel inspired to reapply. Hope a good post comes up for you soon.

Just to reiterate on the score as well, it’s not really helpful to think of it as 2/7. 7 is basically “ this example is absolutely perfect and far exceeds the standard required” - I’ve worked lots of CS jobs and recruited in most of them and have never been given a 7 on an application, I don’t think I have ever assessed anyone at 7 either. 6s are also pretty rare as again it’s exceeding the standard. 4s are good scores, 5s are very good.

I've never given out a 7 either. Nor have I received one (and have got plenty of job offers over the years).

Some great advice above. As others have said, use STAR at all times! My general advice would be: the main mistake I see most people making is trying to get across the breadth of their experience, when what I want to see is the depth of their skill and ability. You’ve already recognised that you took a different tack to this. And re concise writing - yes this is how you’re expected to be able to write in the job, the best way to assess that is to expect you to write that way at application.

Good luck!

Hi All

Such great advice!!

I think i am absolutely clear on the application now!

What I am still confused about though is the CV!

Does anyone know how the CV is scored?

What is a bad CV?

Do they look for specific job roles?

Do they look for specific descriptions within the job roles?

Do they look for specific acheivements?

Would anyone be able to send me their CV?

Or maybe look at my CV?

Thanks all, you guys are amazing!!!! You deffo have taken me out of my slump!

[quote WalrusWife]@unbotheredbutbewildered - crikey, was it an internal or external role you were recruiting for? That’s a lot of applicants![/quote]
External but even soo...

My FCO colleague who had jobs on the internal board recently reported that even for really boring mundane jobs (and not the ones overseas!) she had 50+ applicants! It's so competitive atm

unbothered yep it absolutely is mad out there at the minute. I've got 50 applications in for a not very exciting EO support job and a week to go on the ad. Last time it was recruited, they had one applicant. Accepted her out of desperation for cover and ended up stuck as she didn't really have the skills.