Advice needed - Civil Service application

[SenoraMiasma]

I’d appreciate advice on this and have posted here rather than work as I had no replies to previous post there.

I managed to get an application in for a senior post that I have an outside chance of getting. After submitting I noticed two typos on the cover letter. I stupidly rushed it and after weeks of preparing with notes, ending up writing the letter off the top of my head (which usually works better for me).

I have just seen a junior post advertised which admittedly would be a comfortable fit. I have time to get a better application in.

Should I withdraw first application and apply for junior or just leave first application there and also apply for junior role? It’s the CS/dept I want.

Keep trying if something else comes up. My dept gets 100+ applications per post so it wasn't necessarily a bad application.

Thanks @Anna

Yes, I’ll keep it in mind. Just disappointed!

If you didn't get an interview despite noting that you would like to opt for the guaranteed interview for candidates with disabilities scheme (I can't remember what it's called off hand) then your application did not meet the minimum standard. It would probably be a good idea to get someone who has inside knowledge of civil service recruitment to review for you as it is a very peculiar system and your application might look great to you, but just not tick the right boxes. It is a frustrating system but you can learn how to navigate it.

@emsyj37

They are a dept that put so much online regarding working there - blogs, emails, a recruitment pack, loads of pages with advice. It seemed counter predictive at times - there was too much info. I read every took notes and really thought I’d followed through on everything but as you say - it wasn’t enough for their sift (which seems very quick!).

I will contact them for another open day and see what else I can do. I have an international masters in this field, lots of strong experience but obviously not enough.

It is probably not a lack in experience, but a failure to set it out in a way that allows sifters to tick the boxes and score you. The system is very rigid and you have to play the game, unfortunately - it is nothing like the real world where your qualifications and employment history would speak for themselves, you have to spell it out in the right way. If you can get someone in the CS to review your next application and give you some pointers it would help. I'd be happy to look at an application for you if you like.

Thank you @emsyj37 That is really kind of you. I could send the cover letter?

Have sent you something @emsyj37

@firsttimekat

I'm G6 and often advertise for those levels at the same time and get people applying for both so really don't worry about that. Minor typos also not really a problem.

I don't advertise via a cover letter/cv so might not be the most help after all but I think you've taken a good approach to look through for key skills and experience. Try and say how you've done it or give an example of doing it rather than just listing skills. Eg instead of saying I can bake a cake, say in order to celebrate x birthday, I decided to bake a cake, I planned it out, bought ingredients, made it, finished it in time for the birthday and the person loved it.

The STAR framework is your friend, usually used for competency type applications but it makes sure you capture the right information. Make sure you are using all the allowed space/words. So if they say no longer than 2 pages make sure you write 2 pages. You'd be surprised how many people submit one line applications, I need something to judge you on! Im looking to fill my post, I want you to pass, give me the info to help me do that.

This. It’s all about STARs. Develop a bank of STARs for your application and all stages of interviews if you get through. You’re going to need them. Committ to memory. Practice saying them out loud and succinctly. Keep S and T to bear east minimum. Emphasise and detail the A in terms of what you personally did (don’t do classic female error of using we), and then swing in the punchline R .

Ok, just seen updates. Don’t feel too discouraged - it is very hard to get into. You’ve probably picked up some learnings to make future applications even better. 💐

Thank you @MayMorris
I think it was too wordy perhaps I didn’t make things clear enough - it’s a technical role.