To ask if anyone works for the council as a Gateway Services Officer

[velvetroses]

I have an interview tomorrow for this role in my local council. I had to complete some online tests, maths, English and some scenarios.

Does anyone have any advice in what the interview is like? When I booked the interview it says 'interview with a test'. I'm not sure how I should prepare for this interview so would appreciate some advice!

I have no idea but bumping this for you.

Is gateway like customer service?

It's been a long time since I was interviewed for the council but I was warned there would be a question on my understanding of equal opportunities, and there was! The test (for my admin/reception job) was just basic MS Office stuff. We were given a brief where had to write a letter to a service user, and we also had to do a bookings spreadsheet for an event. It was done on points so every little thing you say will be written down. If you can look at the council's website and read up on your department, and also the structure of your area like wards, councillors, areas of deprivation, forward plan etc it might give you some extra points somewhere. Good luck!

I think it is like customer service. Apart from that I have no idea what the role is about in terms of the department's of the council.

Will do research on the council in general as well as the questions that are generally asked in interviews.

I used to work for our local council - the Gateway where I am is just the name for the separate building where the public go to ask questions/advice, where they used to come into the town hall. We have CAB in the Gateway too. I'd assume customer service questions, dealing with difficult customers and how you would handle it etc. We have council tax, homeless advice, benefits advice, that kind of thing.

And good luck!

I've done the most stupid thing ever. I missed the bloody interview. It was today at 10.15am! I genuinely thought it was tomorrow. I went to double check the address and saw the date was today. Quickly went to email the woman who had been contacting me saying I'm sorry and to please reschedule the interview.

I cannot believe this has happened. I doubt I'd get another chance which is so heartbreaking because I really wanted it.

Hi OP, how incredibly annoying!! I'd follow up your email with a telephone call first thing tomorrow, expressing your apologies and asking if it can be rescheduled. You have nothing to lose and a voice is more personal than an email. It might depend on how many people have applied, but I've rearranged interviews for candidates who looked promising but couldn't make the interview as planned.

Again, good luck!

Lobsterquadrille2 I am really annoyed with myself for missing it..i hand on heart thought it was tomorrow. I've just been busy with my graduation and I'm doing woe experience at a primary school so it slipped my mind.

I feel nervous calling them!

Councils love a SMART interview. Always go in knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Always show your understanding of equality and diversity. Always show how you shine in a team.

Oh shit saw you missed it. I'm so sorry. Hopefully they will reschedule

I really hope so to, in the email I was honest and said I was busy this week with other events and it literally slipped my mind. I thought at least I'd have an evening to prepare as I was out yesterday and today was at the school. Only once I'd finished my preparation and went to check the address did I realise it was today...

velvetroses completely understand your nervousness - but as before, you have zero to lose in this situation. Call as soon after 8.30am as you can - most councils these days have flexitime so someone will be there. Damage limitation - so you missed the interview but look as keen as possible today! Let us know how you get on.

Good news! The interview has been rescheduled to next Tuesday which gives me a few days to prepare for it. I'm so glad! Hoping this may mean they liked my application and answers else why bother rescheduling.

That's great! Definitely means that they feel you're a candidate worth seeing. Wishing you the very best of luck for next week!

A gateway officer will be front of house customer service

A gateway combines council service's in a onestop shop so you can often get your bus pass there , you'll answer queries about council tax , housing benefit, often they're housed in libraries

You'll have to demonstrate how you would deal with difficult queries, customers, manage your workload, answer enquiries in a timely fashion

I use the Star technique to answer! So all your answers should paint the S - situation, say what the T - task was, what you actually did: a - action , r - what the result , outcome was ,

Also add in what you would have done differently

Good luck

Example of gateway service's:
Says what they do and offer

www.thanet.gov.uk/about-us/thanet-gateway-plus/

Is it a Gateway to Home Choice role? That is quite different to what Big Chris has linked to so best to be sure before you start your prep. Have they got a job spec that they have sent you that you can study?

Thank you.
I've heard of the star technique before and have used it in job applications.

It's more customer service i don't think it's what someone mentioned earlier. Did not receive any job specifications but will look back through the questions i answered for this application.