Written assessment for Civil Service role - shamelessly posting for traffic and advice!

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Shamelessly posting for traffic - sorry!

I recently applied for an executive officer role (entry-level role) with the Civil Service.

The role involves some writing and drafting, but I'd prefer not to give too much specific detail about what it is on here, if that's okay.

The application process for the role has three stages: submitting answers to several competency questions, a written assessment and an interview.

I've just found out that I've been invited to the written assessment. I'm not sure what it involves, as I haven't been given any specific information so far.

Any tips on how I can prepare for it please?

Thanks :)

I did the prison planning one too when I first joined the Home Office at HEO level. Someone who started the job in my dept quite recently did the prison one too.

It will be straightforward with no trick questions.

From their point of view they want to end up with a choice between several good candidates. So at all parts of the process everyone you meet will be willing you to do well and to show yourself at your best.

Thanks everyone :)

So the plan is to:

• write in standard English as clearly and concisely as I can
• skim-read any material I get given before I have to start the writing part of the exercise
• double-check and proofread my work
• make sure I finish the task on time.

There's only one vacancy, so I'm quite stressed about proving myself and showing them how much I can do. I'm sure loads of people will have applied.

That all sounds very sensible - good luck!

Good luck! With the expanding civil service atm, there will be more similar vacancies very soon. I got my current job by not quite getting two I went for and being asked if I was interested in two other roles they wanted to fill quickly.

Take a copy of the EO desirable behaviours in with you, so when you answer questions you can make sure you've addressed every point in your answer.