Civil service interview scores & candidate pool…

[Awcw1234]

Recently had a CS interview. Heard a few days ago that I had successfully passed the interview and I was being placed in a ‘candidate’ pool for 12 months. Does this mean I wasn’t one of the highest scoring candidates and I’m basically a reserve?

I scored 3 x 6s and 3 x 5s. Are these decent scores? This was my first CS interview.

Thanks

Those are definitely good scores. The last recruitment I did we wanted the candidates to score 4 on each competency.

Different campaigns are run differently, so can't comment on what the candidate pool means - I'd email the recruitment team to ask them, they'll be happy to explain.

Did you interview for a particular position? It sounds to me that they'll offer you a post as soon as a suitable one becomes available. But I could be wrong.

Yes, I did and there were 6 positions available. However, they interviewed many people!

Does this mean I wasn’t one of the highest scoring candidates and I’m basically a reserve?

Yes it means someone beat you for this particular job but they thought you were a good candidate and may offer you the next similar post that came up. They are good scores

There is a civil service recruitment freeze on in many departments just now.

Presumably you are in the list for similar jobs to the one you went for and if they can’t fill another post that arises (presumably after checking internally for transfers who want to come into tht area) they’ll let you know.

Those are very good results and would often be enough to land you a job. However, it means you're on a waiting list. You know you've got the skills based on these results, so definitely worth applying for other roles.

Thanks.

A little disappointing but at least I know I did alright. It was my first CS interview so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I'm in a similar position. Has anyone ever been made an offer from the reserve list?

Just an update. I was offered the job a few days after I posted this :)

I was put on reserve list in March and offered role in May.

@Awcw1234 but the big question is have you actually passed PECs yet?!

Yes I started in April! :)

5 months, breakneck speed from the CS hope you're enjoying.

Thank you, there's hope yet then.