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Original poster

Civil service interview score and reserve list

37 replies

Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 07:20

Hi

I had an interview for a customer service role with the CS , about 2 months ago now .

I had an email last week saying that they were still going through applications and I’ve just had an email this morning saying that my application met the required standard but they’re unable to offer me a role immediately so I have been placed on a reserve list until May 25 2025 .

I feel quite sad about it , but I’ll pick myself up !

There were 100 vacancies for this job, so I’m assuming if I’m on a reserve list then 100 others were better than me 🤣.

I have looked at my feedback and the comment seems positive , although short and it was “Strengths” that were assessed and I scored 12 . Does anyone know where this comes in the scheme of things ? Is it very low? I can’t find anything online and it would be useful to know and have an idea of where I went wrong - for future reference !

Thank you

OP posts:
AGreatUsername · 31/05/2024 07:24

What role was it for? HMRC tend to do mass recruitment for roles with high turnover such as compliance caseworker. Anything with 100 roles is likely to be something that will be filled over time in tranches from the reserve list.

When I first joined (as a caseworker!) I passed interview and sat on the reserve list nearly 9 months before being recruited. It does happen quite often for mass roles.

It's unusual you only had strengths though? Were there no behaviours? I have never sifted a strengths only campaign so have no idea how those scores work. You can however email the contact email address in recruitment and ask your place on the reserve list. You might be anywhere on it!

devildeepbluesea · 31/05/2024 07:25

If you’re on the reserve list I’d say it’s highly likely you’ll be offered a job in the next year.

Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 08:56

AGreatUsername · 31/05/2024 07:24

What role was it for? HMRC tend to do mass recruitment for roles with high turnover such as compliance caseworker. Anything with 100 roles is likely to be something that will be filled over time in tranches from the reserve list.

When I first joined (as a caseworker!) I passed interview and sat on the reserve list nearly 9 months before being recruited. It does happen quite often for mass roles.

It's unusual you only had strengths though? Were there no behaviours? I have never sifted a strengths only campaign so have no idea how those scores work. You can however email the contact email address in recruitment and ask your place on the reserve list. You might be anywhere on it!

Thank you. I was hoping to know soon , I’m a teacher and this is quite a drop in pay but I hate teaching . I’ve been offered a role for next year that I need to decide on asap , I don’t really want to do it but I’m also worried about not having a job for September 😞 I have been reading that some have had a job offer pretty soon after ( I thought reserve meant that I was unsuccessful) but it seems it’s hit and miss .

A lot of people were shocked about it only being strengths based when I have posted before - but it definitely was . I’m not sure how many strengths I was assessed on so I’m not sure whether that score is good or not . All it says is Strengths total score 12 and other than that it says “ experience - 0. not assessed “ - my comment says “ You gave a good interview and clearly demonstrated a good understanding of the strengths required. “

Do you have any idea where I would email to find out where I am on the reserve list ?

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Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 08:57

AGreatUsername · 31/05/2024 07:24

What role was it for? HMRC tend to do mass recruitment for roles with high turnover such as compliance caseworker. Anything with 100 roles is likely to be something that will be filled over time in tranches from the reserve list.

When I first joined (as a caseworker!) I passed interview and sat on the reserve list nearly 9 months before being recruited. It does happen quite often for mass roles.

It's unusual you only had strengths though? Were there no behaviours? I have never sifted a strengths only campaign so have no idea how those scores work. You can however email the contact email address in recruitment and ask your place on the reserve list. You might be anywhere on it!

Sorry , meant to add the role is customer service advisor for HMRC ( tax )

OP posts:
Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 08:57

devildeepbluesea · 31/05/2024 07:25

If you’re on the reserve list I’d say it’s highly likely you’ll be offered a job in the next year.

Thank you , that’s reassuring . I guess I’ll have to decide on what I want to do in the meantime !

OP posts:
platwlob · 31/05/2024 09:00

Bulk recruitment is a numbers game, 100 positions means hundreds of applications, sifting and marking tends to be rushed, applications blend into one, not always applied consistently (as much as the CS prides its recruitment on consistency the truth is different people interpret and mark differently).

So don't take it personally is what I'm trying to say, it's great you made the reserve list, it means they think you're capable of the job. Hopefully something comes up soon.

XiCi · 31/05/2024 09:01

I've been on a civil service reserve list twice in the past and both times offered a start date pretty quickly so fingers crossed you will be the same.

Devilshands · 31/05/2024 09:04

That’s a long reserve list! I’m on one atm which is three months!

I would keep hunting in the mean time though as at least 4 departments have paused external recruitment except ‘specialists’ for the moment. But congrats :)

ShiftySandDune · 31/05/2024 09:07

Sometimes, if they feel they need more time, they put everyone on the reserve list as they continue to go through the applicants.

mrssquidink · 31/05/2024 09:10

On the Strengths score, how many strengths questions did they ask you? Strengths are (or should be) marked on a 4 point scale where 4 is the highest.

testing987654321 · 31/05/2024 09:15

I was on a reserve list and was offered a job about 9 months after interview. Started 1 year after I applied. Speedy they are not!

Bjorkdidit · 31/05/2024 09:45

Another thing to consider is that not all the people who are offered jobs will actually accept them and start working there.

I'm in the civil service and we've had a lot of vacancies in our department over the last year or two and I'd say that only 70/80% of those offered a job actually went through with starting work with us.

Reasons being that they've got a different job in the time since they were interviewed, they've not passed vetting or references or they've not accepted the salary offered - often a scale is advertised but in reality it's rare for anyone to start on anything other than the stated minimum - many people don't realise this.

So it could be that you're offered a job in the next few weeks if you're near the top of the reserve list.

Allenetall · 31/05/2024 09:50

Could you resign and do supply till a role comes up? I do realise that wouldn't suit everyone.

TooTiredToAdultToday · 31/05/2024 09:56

I was on the reserve list for CS and was offered a role about 6 weeks later.

whiteboardking · 31/05/2024 10:02

Exactly as @Bjorkdidit said.
They'll have ranked everyone in order and work down the list. You have passed the grade just others passed higher. If several scored the same they'll review again etc

Hereyoume · 31/05/2024 10:07

Reserve list in CS usually means that they have placed you in a role which isn't immediately going live, but will in the near future.

It may be a few months, but expect an email with an offer.

Doesn't help in the short term though.

Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 10:07

Allenetall · 31/05/2024 09:50

Could you resign and do supply till a role comes up? I do realise that wouldn't suit everyone.

I’m doing supply at the moment, so I will have that , but I really need something more secure . Realistically, I know deep down that I don’t want to go back permanently in a school right now . The role I’ve been offered is in the school I do some supply at and it’s lovely - but I still have that dread and just don’t want to do it. More than anything , it’s guilt . My husband works so hard and I have the opportunity for a job that’s £250 a month more than CS … but the thought of it fills me with dread

OP posts:
Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 10:09

mrssquidink · 31/05/2024 09:10

On the Strengths score, how many strengths questions did they ask you? Strengths are (or should be) marked on a 4 point scale where 4 is the highest.

I’m not sure , the interview was a blur as I was nervous 🤣 I think there were 6 questions but I don’t know if each one was a different strength . I wish I had taken more notice !

OP posts:
Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 10:09

Hereyoume · 31/05/2024 10:07

Reserve list in CS usually means that they have placed you in a role which isn't immediately going live, but will in the near future.

It may be a few months, but expect an email with an offer.

Doesn't help in the short term though.

This is reassuring , thank you x

OP posts:
platwlob · 31/05/2024 10:10

@Justnavigating long term vision needed here, CS is good for progression, your entry level role might be lower paid now but if you apply yourself, look at mentors, qualifications etc you can work up the ranks. The pension is much better than a teaching pension. And if you have children it's very flexible.

Bellevilles · 31/05/2024 10:13

You have a very good chance of being offered a role, don't be downhearted.

CS recruitment makes continental drift look speedy so I would recommend getting on with your life until you hear from them.

TooTiredToAdultToday · 31/05/2024 10:30

I left teaching to go to the civil service, took about a £600+ wage drop pcm. I haven’t regretted it for a second. And as people say, you progress quickly. With in year awards, instant rewards and a promotion I’ve only actually been paid my original entry wage twice!

whiteboardking · 31/05/2024 10:30

Every candidate who passes interview to offer then has qualifications and eligibility to work checked and many fail. Some turn the money down.. hold out as long term CS is a great option as lots progression opportunities

Devilshands · 31/05/2024 10:31

Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 10:09

I’m not sure , the interview was a blur as I was nervous 🤣 I think there were 6 questions but I don’t know if each one was a different strength . I wish I had taken more notice !

Show quote history

Each strength is worth four points! 😀

3 is okay and 4 is good. Anything below 3 is awful (means you should no aptitude for that strength...)

I should have said in my earlier reply - might have been more helpful!

Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 10:56

Devilshands · 31/05/2024 10:31

Each strength is worth four points! 😀

3 is okay and 4 is good. Anything below 3 is awful (means you should no aptitude for that strength...)

I should have said in my earlier reply - might have been more helpful!

Show quote history

Hopefully there were no more than 3 assessed then - otherwise I’ve done very poor ! 🤣

OP posts: