If you work for the civil service, how easy is it to get into?

[FerretChops]

Just that really!

Thank you!

My DH doesn't work for them any more but did for about 10 years until recently.

The interviews are scored to a strict matrix which is very fixed and I recall it took him two goes to pass the interview. But then once he picked it up he was employed and then promoted several times.

Research the interview answers as they have to be marked very specifically - for example on one of his internal interviews, he did not answer in enough detail because he knew the interview board so knew they would be familiar with his experience, but they just couldn't score him on things he hadn't said in the interview room.

@TomWambsgansSwans thank you!

I do a lot of CS recruitment. Sometimes very very hard and sometimes very easy. We have campaigns where we don’t get enough applicants so scoring will be more lenient.

If it’s a single role it’s very hard to be the best applicant as even externally advertised roles will receive internal applicants on promotion.

Best bet is to go for one of the massive national campaigns. Usually for caseworkers or Border Force shift workers. Anything where it’s 100% office attendance or night shifts.

London jobs easier to get than regional.

Prison Service is desperate. Now recruiting from abroad.

PS. there’s a virtual freeze on external recruitment now so give it a couple of years.

How can there be a recruitment freeze when many are so understaffed ie. Prison and probation service?

There's definitely a knack to it, took me a few goes before I cracked it. Read the behaviors and make sure you structure your answers, there's actually loads of help on the CS jobs website and just via Google. Good luck!

Because of political pressure to reduce headcount.

Just because more people are needed, doesn't mean vacancies can be filled.

OP there's also jobs available at arms length bodies that are on CS T&Cs, pension etc, but nothing like 'civil service' work. But when there are vacancies that are being recruited, they're advertised on CS jobs.

I've been in the CS for over 35 years. I don't think I'd get through the interview process if I were to apply now. 🤣