To hate the civil service

[Canunot]

I first applied for a civil service role at the end of September. I did the final interview on the 3rd of November and I still don’t know if I have been successful!

To make matters worse there may not even be a role available as I believe reserve lists are a big part of their recruiting. So I may meet the standard but they don’t have a role available in my chosen locations. So I’ll stay on a reserve list for a year in case one pops up.

There seems to be a lot of people suggesting on student rooms that they are really incompetent when it comes to recruiting for this department as in last month several people have been told they were successful only to be told a week later that this was actually a mistake.

I have an interview for a promotion at my current workplace on Wednesday and this is really starting to stress me out, as I do really want to get the civil service role but I’m against mucking my current employer about.

Does anyone have any similar experiences and think that it would be a good idea to send an email asking for a timescale?

[Canunot]

@tttigress

Can't comment on the CS specifically, but I think all employers drag their feet.

What I want when I apply for a job is a yes or no as quickly as possible, so I can mentally move on to the next thing (be it applying for another job, or convincing myself I don't hate my current employer that much really!!)

This 100%

It’s taking up so much space in my brain now! I feel like my life is on hold until I find out 🙈

I am in a lucky position in that I quite enjoy my current job and I think I have a decent shot at this interview on Wednesday. I’d I was in the position where I was successful with both it would be a difficult choice.

[TheHateIsNotGood]

I think it's unfortunate that so many jobs are part of the CS, who seem to have adopted a mass-bulk, blanket approach to recruitment.

So many here state 'I, DP, or the dog' "work for the CS", or am "applying for the CS" but no one seems to state what actual job or even sector these "CS roles" are in.

Just curious.....any responses appreciated.

[Walkinginawingingwonderland]

I’m currently on a waiting list. Closing date was March, interview end of June, outcome mid August.

[JunoMcDuff]

My mum applied for a freelance position with them last year. They did in fairness warn that the recruitment process is looooooonnnnnnng. She applied in May 202, interview Nov 2020 response June 2021, started September 2021!

[ThousandsOfTulips]

@JunoMcDuff

My mum applied for a freelance position with them last year. They did in fairness warn that the recruitment process is looooooonnnnnnng. She applied in May 202, interview Nov 2020 response June 2021, started September 2021!

Wow. That is total madness.

And the thing is, people who are senior/ have lots of skills and are looking to move roles won't hang around that long, so they must miss out on a huge amount of talent as a result. In that space of time many people will have found another role, been promoted and now looking for the next step so probably moved out of the CS's price range for the original job before they've even offered it!

[Terribleluck]

@thehate I applied (and got) a UC agent role at the DWP. The irony was that the salary was so low, I would have ended on UC.

[Skysblue]

Yanbu. When I applied the recruitment process was insanely slow. I thought it must just be a recruitment thing, it’ll be fine once I’m in there.

Everything about it was insanely slow and bureaucratic. If you are from a private sector job I think you’ll find it very frustrating and disappointing (unless you’re just there for the hours / flexibility for part time working etc which to be fair is excellent).

I left 😬