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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:
Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 10:57

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!

That fills me with so much hope , thank you!!

Just hearing another teacher say they don’t regret it! I’m glad it has worked out for you x

OP posts:
TooTiredToAdultToday · 31/05/2024 11:08

Ive met a lot of ex teachers in the CS and they’ve all said the same thing, so if you do make the move you’ll be in good company!

mrssquidink · 31/05/2024 11:16

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

I wouldn’t say a 2 is awful. Strictly speaking, it means it’s classed as a learnt behaviour. I have appointed people who’ve scored 2 although this has always been in the context of interviews that test a number of things.

For the OP the theory is that it’s better to appoint someone who demonstrates the strengths required of the role even if they don’t have the experience (a score of 3 means the candidate demonstrated the energy that indicates it’s a natural strength even if they didn’t set out any experience, whereas 2 means the candidate showed they’d got experience but didn’t display the energy that would indicate it’s a natural strength). Having said that, I think nerves do mean people can underperform in them.

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Jobs
Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 17:28

Thank you everyone ! I have just noticed that in one of the emails I had it said if I passed the interview , I would be placed on a reserve list and then they would go through the applications and make offers based on scores , so I’m not sure if this means they are now going through the applications and I may be one of the ones who’s offered a place or not . But I did have this reply to an email I sent this morning asking ( in a professional way obviously ! ) what place I was on the list :

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide further details of position on merit list as this changes day by day. The campaign is still under review, when these have all been reviewed we are then able to discuss your merit list position.

OP posts:
ChannelLightVessel · 31/05/2024 18:56

I work for HMRC, and in my experience they tell everyone who has passed the interview for these large recruitments that they are on the reserve list initially, even the people who are at the top of the list. So you may well get an offer in a matter of days or weeks, rather than months. Fingers crossed!

Original poster
Justnavigating · 31/05/2024 19:21

ChannelLightVessel · 31/05/2024 18:56

I work for HMRC, and in my experience they tell everyone who has passed the interview for these large recruitments that they are on the reserve list initially, even the people who are at the top of the list. So you may well get an offer in a matter of days or weeks, rather than months. Fingers crossed!

Thank you ! I’m hoping this is the case but I guess it’s just a waiting game now !

I keep having positive moments- I have a good 15 years of customer service ( over the telephone ) experience , I’m a teacher so I have transferable skills and also a degree and a post grad , so I’ll think of that and think “ yes , I’m qualified to do this ! “

But then I’ll have days where I think “ well actually I’ve only been a teacher for 2 years and spent 18 months of that on supply …. I’m not an experienced teacher - plenty of very experienced teachers are applying for jobs out of teaching so I’m up against people with far more experience , skills etc “ . Then I’ll feel very pessimistic about it 😞

OP posts:
ChristmasJumperz · 18/12/2024 10:03

@Justnavigating Hi, I was wondering if you were offered a role eventually? I found your thread as the same thing has just happened to me and I was trying to find out more. I hope things worked out for you.

whiteboardking · 18/12/2024 22:23

ChannelLightVessel · 31/05/2024 18:56

I work for HMRC, and in my experience they tell everyone who has passed the interview for these large recruitments that they are on the reserve list initially, even the people who are at the top of the list. So you may well get an offer in a matter of days or weeks, rather than months. Fingers crossed!

This happens in my part of CS also

Rumanax1 · 07/05/2025 14:23

.

Rumanax1 · 07/05/2025 14:24

Hey, did you end up getting your job?

Linolou · 13/09/2025 10:00

Hello there - did you get a job offer? I’m in the same boat - really need a new job and was gutted I didn’t get it but hopeful for the reserve list - I’m on two as applied for 2 positions within HMPPS. 😀

BuildingABetterMe · 25/09/2025 17:57

@Justnavigating were you ever offered a position? I am also a teacher looking for a way out, and 1 month into a 12 month reserve list! X

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