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Original poster

Working for Civil service (DWP) - anyone?

20 replies

lechatnoir · 20/12/2022 10:21

I've been looking for a change of career and applied for the role of DWP General Executive Officer (with an offer of AO a potential if I don't meet EO standard) without really giving it much thought other than salary & location were a big improvement on current job and I want somewhere customer facing with potential for career progression and a decent pension all of which it seemed to tick. My application has been accepted and I'm now on stage 2 of 3 having passed the Situational Judgement Test and been invited to interview.

I'm now having a bit of a panic about working for the civil service generally, realities of the job itself and everything else in between . It seems like there are literally hundreds of these roles (50 vacancies in my area alone) so hoping someone can help if not this specific role then working for DWP/CS.

OP posts:
Yale445 · 20/12/2022 21:52

Bumping as interested !

HumourReplacementTherapy · 20/12/2022 22:16

It's a tough job I'm not gonna lie but there are really good benefits to working for the civil service especially if you're a parent.
Downsides:
High pressure to progress customers
Expect a fair bit of abuse
Can be monotonous
Stressful
A lot to learn- it's a complex system but is more user friendly than it used to be.
I'll not go on..... Grin
Upsides
Rewarding- it's really good when you do make a difference
Great staff-majority of colleagues are lovely
Great terms and conditions
Support available (well-being wise there is a lot)
Ability to progress/move/apply for other roles once you're past probation period.
Flexible working
On MN you're about as popular as a traffic warden. Grin
It's a long time since I was customer facing but I still
Know a lot of staff who are, they are a bit ground down but I think the cost of living crisis is making their jobs extreme difficult and they're finding it hard to leave it behind at the end of the day.

Go for it! An interview is after all a 2 way process.

Original poster
lechatnoir · 22/12/2022 13:39

Thanks @HumourReplacementTherapy I've got an interview in the NY so will see how it goes from there but really helpful to have some insight (& no nasty surprises from what you've said)

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
Jayblu7 · 23/12/2022 15:42

Applied for EO work coach role as well. Done the situational judgement test and video interview. Just awaiting feedback

hellswelshy · 23/12/2022 17:28

OK as you have asked OP. It's a demanding job, and you'll potentially face lots of difficult scenarios & customers. The training can be very poor and the organisation structure & the support it offers can vary wildly depending on the office you're based in. The plus sides can be flexibility (although a colleague doing an EO UC work coach role tells me he has no flexibility or hybrid working now compared to his previous non Jobcentre based role), great colleagues, and you will obtain masses of experience and transferable skills. I'm at the end of my DWP role as my office is closing shortly and happy to be leaving to be honest but acknowledge the varied and interesting 20 years I've had!

ScottishLavender · 23/12/2022 19:58

I worked for them for many years and loved the variety of work. If you want to progress you get good opportunities; if you don't that's ok too. The training can be a bit hit or miss but if you keep asking questions you'll be fine. Good hours, flexitime, family friendly policies. Join the staff association if you're into sports, membership of that can also get discounts at various companies. Join the union. I always found colleagues to be very friendly, there's usually an active social life there too (drinking)

Just be prepared to hesitate when someone asks you what do you do. Not that I was ashamed of it but some people's perception of it is not always positive.

saying that I only left because I was made redundant.

Charlottehmqueen · 07/02/2023 19:20

I hope all of your interviews went well! I have just heard back, do any of you remember any of the questions asked as I am trying to be as prepared as possible 🙂

Gough20 · 27/02/2023 17:56

Nope, not really!

Karenpoo · 01/08/2023 12:40

Hi can anyone tell me if you work for DWP can you have a look at people you know their details if you are just curious? Just a bit anxious as acquaintance working for DWP

RaininSummer · 01/08/2023 13:17

Definitely not. This would be gross misconduct. It is also randomly audited.

Karenpoo · 01/08/2023 13:21

How would they get found out if they did?

AnxiousShep · 01/08/2023 13:34

Staff are limited to what systems they have access to and there are random checks on access.

Karenpoo · 01/08/2023 16:12

Thank you

Karenpoo · 01/08/2023 18:50

Sorry to be a pain but what is meant by limited access to peoples DWP details?

Karenpoo · 01/08/2023 18:58

I thought that any DWP person could just type in your name and address and get all your details

RaininSummer · 01/08/2023 19:38

In theory they could but they are risking their job.

Karenpoo · 01/08/2023 19:56

Hi Rain. Do you work for DWP?

TenOhSeven · 01/08/2023 20:00

You don't have to work for the DWP to know it is not possible for their staff to do that. They could only look up your details if they had a work-related reason to do so, otherwise they would get into a lot of trouble as previously said.

Karenpoo · 01/08/2023 20:19

Thank you again guys

AnxiousShep · 01/08/2023 23:03

Different benefits are on different systems. Staff only have access to the system they need to do their own job. Some systems, such as UC, restrict further. Staff only have access to the customers in their area.
As above, accessing without a business need would risk your job.

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