Did she do this so I don't take the job?

[Isaac143]

I have been offered a job with the civil service, all checks completed and just been waiting for a call back to discuss hours. I got a call today saying that they will be offering me different post, I asked for details and I was given a very brief answer of 'it's just an average admin job, most of the time you'll be sat in front of a computer, doing things like ordering stationary'. She didnt really highlight the job in a positive way at all, just kept mentioning all the negatives such as no parking late days ect. She then paused after waiting for me to give her an answer. I then said I need time to think, she told me to let her know by today.

What are your thoughts?

What job did you go for?

What’s the role offered? If you have a role title you can Google it?

Dh is a civil servant I can ask him

What was the job you originally applied for? The description of the new job could describe many office jobs once you strip out the 'we're looking for a talented individual who is passionate about service delivery' job-description gobbledygook.

Do you want the job?

If you do, go for it, you can always leave it if you don’t like it.

Is the new job the same grade? Presumably you spoke to someone in HR, they probably don't know the ins and outs of the job, so gave you a description of a general admin job. Perhaps you should ask to speak to a manager in the new section for more details of the role.

I would accept, and then see what the contract says.

I’d ask for a full job description too.

I agree, it depends on what job you were going for. I wouldn't be influenced by how she's sold it, maybe it's her idea of a nightmare and she's unprofessional.

If it's the same money and something you'd be interested in then I'd accept.

But I'd also ask what's happening with the other role...

Is this the UK Civil Service? If so, you can always move jobs once you've got your feet under the table.

@MattHancocksSexTape

I would accept, and then see what the contract says.

I’d ask for a full job description too.

Agree with this, say yes now and once you have more info you can always change your mind. Does sound very odd though.

@Thehop
Within DWP, CFCD AO grade.

Take it. It must be the job you looked at the job description & applied for?
It won't have suddenly turned in to a completely different job with completely different responsibilities and expectations.

Same grade/pay, similar job however still lots of major differences. The original job yes I wanted and was looking forward to, this on the other hand not so much after how she described it.

Once you're in the civil service its easier to move

If it’s the same grade I’d take it.

@BrilliantBetty

No it is.

I would imagine either the person that called you was up for the job or has a friend that wants it so she was trying to put you off

She's probably sick of recruiting for the same job because people expect it to be interesting and then leave so she's just being completely honest so you can't say you didn't know what the role was about.

What did they say about why they weren't offering the job you interviewed for?

Was it HR or the manager of the job who phoned you? Whichever it was, ring the other one and ask if you can clarify the change of offer, and also ask whether the original job will be advertised again. Sounds a bit like someone trying to get 'your' job for a friend instead.

Oooh cfcd can be very very interesting even at AO grade. Most likely involved in admin of folks suspected of fraud. The EO will do the investigation part. Probably likely involved in booking appts and sending out appt letters. And ordering stationery. If you're smart you'll soon be doing other things!

This seems to happen quite a lot in the civil service. I know two people who have had this happen, however they have both now moved very quickly through the ranks and have better jobs at higher grades/pay. I'd go for it.

It is not necessarily the same post applied for, it happens quite often. I applied for one post, got accepted for another as the original post was filled under a TUPE agreement. Was same grade, same conditions, different department, different boss... they still wanted me in the organisation enough to offer a job, I took it and transferred later on to a more interesting job internally.

Take it and move once you are in - it is so difficult to get into the civil service but once in you will have more flexibility. And who knows what was going on with her, and whether she was downplaying the job for some reason.

The civil service is a huge organisation and as others have said, once you're in it is really easy to move around. Take it and see how you like it. You can apply for sideways moves and/or promotion once you're in.

You need to see a written job description with hours and pay before you can give them an answer

@BeyondMyWits

Yes, this is what was said to me when I asked, something along the lines of the job has been filled. I didn't want to seem like an idiot so didnt say much more.
Yes, this is also same grade, same conditions, different..ish department and different boss