Civil Service job interview AIBU

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

I recently posted about my application for a Civil Service job in another thread.

I’d prefer not to go into much detail about the role here, if that’s okay, but it’s an executive officer (EO) role and would involve quite a bit of writing and proofreading.

I recently sat a written assessment for the role after submitting answers to competency-based questions online.

Earlier today, I found out that I’ve been invited to an interview for the role.

It’s my first interview for a Civil Service job. I’m sure it’ll be a really useful experience and I hope I’ll learn a lot from it, but as I’d really like for it to go as well as it possibly can, I was just wondering if anyone on here might have any tips for the interview please?

Thanks very much :)

[MyHairyToe]

Just to echo what PPs have said, expect competence based questions, prepare your responses using STAR and if you can add ‘repeat’ so how you applied what you learned/did in the situation again... this can make the difference in your score between one grade and the next. Good luck!

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Thanks so so much. everyone!

This is so cheeky but would anyone be happy to read through my interview answers if I sent them via PM please?

Thanks very much again for all of your help! :)

[meredintofpandiculation]

This is so cheeky but would anyone be happy to read through my interview answers if I sent them via PM please? A good approach, to prepare answers in advance. I recommend that you don't try to remember the whole spiel, just bullet points. That will mean you clothe them in your own words at the interview, in a natural fashion, and will give a better impression than reciting a pre-learned text.

The interviewers will ask "can you tell us about a time when you [exhibited competency X]?". From then on it will be very interactive. They will ask supplementary questions based on what you've told them, so very difficult to prepare answers in advance. Just be sure you have a good memory of the situation you're telling them about. See if you can find someone to give you a mock interview.

Worth also thinking about what you learned from each situation.

If no one else offers, I'm happy to read through, but it's a long while since I've been involved in interviewing, so get someone else if you can.

[Bluebell23]

I interview a lot. Please don't take pages of notes in and read them. I would not pass a candidate who did that. I want to hear your own answers not what someone else has written for you. You will sound more natural if you focus on the interviewer and the questions they ask rather than notes you have with you. Interviewers want you to do well. Answer fully saying what you personally did in a situation (not we did). And do know why you want the role. I want engaged motivated people who show an intent in working in that role.

[womanvsfood]

OP, can I be really cheeky and ask if you could point me in the direction of your application thread? I've got one due in at the end of the week, and whilst I'm already civil service I'd be really interested to read the advice you were given.

Good luck with your interview

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Sure @womanvsfood! :) Was it this one, maybe? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3134345-Civil-Service-Jobs-competency-questions-AIBU-tearing-my-hair-out-a-bit

And thanks so much - good luck with your application too! :)

[meredintofpandiculation]

I've sent you a message - it's the first time I've done this on mumsnet, and I had a bit of difficulty - can you confirm your received it please?

[meredintofpandiculation]

That's to WellALwaysHaveParis (OP) of course!

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Hi everyone, just to let you know I got the job! :)

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Thanks so so much for all of your help! :)

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Any tips about starting the job? I’d really appreciate any general or specific advice you might have :)

[MotherWol]

Congratulations! I'm sure more knowledgeable posters will be along soon with tips on settling in, but just wanted to say well done on getting the job!

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

Thank you so much MotherWol! :)