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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Civil service AIBU

29 replies

gossipgurl · 20/10/2023 20:05

One for the civil servants out there!

I have been a SEO for 3 months. Just found the G7 equivalent of my role in another area come up.

Already in role I have G7 exposure - on a day to day basis, I am my G7 in my lead area which includes weekly meetings with SCS, G6. G7s are my peer group as my G7 focuses on other lead areas and doesn’t touch it. I have been on TDA on occasion too. I have experience of the essential criteria already and could apply.

I’m not sure how much staying in my current role to repeat these responsibilities would propel my career forward? A lot of my role encompasses what I’ve done previously, any skills I would gain in this role are the same as my old job so feel stagnant staying in place.

So aibu to already be considering my next step so early in new role? I want a job that fits me, whether it’s a level transfer or promotion, and I feel like I’m in a stop gap job atm

OP posts:
BranchGold · 20/10/2023 20:07

are you currently in a probation period and then unable to apply for internal transfers?

Original poster
gossipgurl · 20/10/2023 20:08

No I have been a CS at other grades, passed probation years ago

OP posts:
BranchGold · 20/10/2023 20:11

Then if you’re eligible to apply, apply.

im sure you’ll be familiar with the pot luck approach to behaviours assessments!

VanWeezer · 20/10/2023 20:11

Go for it. If you feel ready for promotion at least start applying. The recruitment process takes so long anyway you'll have a couple more months under your belt by the time you are in post

Original poster
gossipgurl · 20/10/2023 20:36

BranchGold · 20/10/2023 20:11

Then if you’re eligible to apply, apply.

im sure you’ll be familiar with the pot luck approach to behaviours assessments!

I’m sifting and interviewing soon so will hopefully get some insight from the other side!

OP posts:
Original poster
gossipgurl · 20/10/2023 20:39

VanWeezer · 20/10/2023 20:11

Go for it. If you feel ready for promotion at least start applying. The recruitment process takes so long anyway you'll have a couple more months under your belt by the time you are in post

Thank you, yeah recruitment takes a while! I don’t know if I’d benefit from a different SEO role first. I guess there’s not a general benchmark for G7 expectations that I can tick off

OP posts:
Dishwashersaurous · 20/10/2023 20:48

Genuinely intrigued to know how you've been on tda on occasion when you've only been SEO for three months.

Three months is obviously very new to role, so will be tricky to have behaviours with significant strength and stretch from such a short period

Justtobeclear · 20/10/2023 20:54

Go for it but use it as an exercise in understanding what you need to get promotion. The fact that you’ve been SEO for 3 months is likely to be an issue but really it depends on the interviewers/your performance. Do the interview and prepare to succeed but have realistic expectations about the outcome and, should it not be promotion, push for feedback and use that for your PAR going forward.

Original poster
gossipgurl · 20/10/2023 20:54

Dishwashersaurous · 20/10/2023 20:48

Genuinely intrigued to know how you've been on tda on occasion when you've only been SEO for three months.

Three months is obviously very new to role, so will be tricky to have behaviours with significant strength and stretch from such a short period

It’s a small team and an unusual set up. Just say my lead area is recruitment, it should be my G7’s lead area too, but he leaves me to it and focuses completely on his other lead areas. It’s a matrix organisation structure. He’s my manager for HR but I go to other seniors for my deliverables.

Therefore any queries for recruitment are always directed to me, I liaise directly with SCS about recruitment and am involved in high level recruitment decisions and meetings. So it makes sense for me to be on TDA when required to step in for him or other G7s in my lead area.

OP posts:
Dishwashersaurous · 20/10/2023 20:56

Interesting. Are you formally on that and paid for it?

Just never known tda be granted for less than four months before.

But given that the set up seems so unusual, then normal views and assumptions wouldn't really apply, so go for it.

Ro79 · 20/10/2023 20:57

Go for it - nothing to lose. The sift and interview won’t score you on how long you’ve been an SEO, they will be all about the content of the examples you can give. So if you think you can meet the requirements, that’s all that matters. It’s not even that uncommon to skip grades. I know of an SEO interviewed this week for a G6 role.

Definitelynotem · 20/10/2023 21:19

I’d say go for it. If you meet the essential criteria your current grade should be irrelevant really. Worst case scenario you don’t get it!

Asiatoyork · 21/10/2023 00:29

It depends where you would like to end up in terms of work area I think. If you are ok to stay I the same area (I’m guessing something like Board recruitments/public appointments) then yes of course go for the promotion.

However, if keen to move to a more policy based area it is worth thinking whether a step across to get more relevant experience would be more beneficial in the short term.

It also depends how ‘popular’ your department is - some have trouble recruiting so have a smaller field of candidates, some are more in demand.

Original poster
gossipgurl · 21/10/2023 00:52

Dishwashersaurous · 20/10/2023 20:56

Interesting. Are you formally on that and paid for it?

Just never known tda be granted for less than four months before.

But given that the set up seems so unusual, then normal views and assumptions wouldn't really apply, so go for it.

Yes. In my department as long as you’re coving the role for over 2 days you can get TDA pay

OP posts:
Original poster
gossipgurl · 21/10/2023 00:54

Asiatoyork · 21/10/2023 00:29

It depends where you would like to end up in terms of work area I think. If you are ok to stay I the same area (I’m guessing something like Board recruitments/public appointments) then yes of course go for the promotion.

However, if keen to move to a more policy based area it is worth thinking whether a step across to get more relevant experience would be more beneficial in the short term.

It also depends how ‘popular’ your department is - some have trouble recruiting so have a smaller field of candidates, some are more in demand.

Thank you. I don’t think my chances are high enough to get this role as it seems to be geared up for an internal candidate if that makes sense, but worth it to see how my application stands up I suppose

OP posts:
Asiatoyork · 21/10/2023 02:21

Thank you. I don’t think my chances are high enough to get this role as it seems to be geared up for an internal candidate if that makes sense, but worth it to see how my application stands up I suppose

My first G7 was also earmarked for someone else but they ended up giving it to me. You never know!

Dishwashersaurous · 21/10/2023 09:50

Gosh that is such an unusual tda set up.

Good luck.

The only thing I'd say is think about where you want to be in five years, in terms of the job, rather than the grade.

Do you want to stay in hr or do you want to do a different sort of role?

Original poster
gossipgurl · 21/10/2023 11:09

Maybe the better term is deputising? Covering your manager whilst they’re on leave attracts TDA standard

OP posts:
Original poster
gossipgurl · 21/10/2023 11:09

Asiatoyork · 21/10/2023 02:21

Thank you. I don’t think my chances are high enough to get this role as it seems to be geared up for an internal candidate if that makes sense, but worth it to see how my application stands up I suppose

My first G7 was also earmarked for someone else but they ended up giving it to me. You never know!

How did you find that role, were people a bit funny with you? Did you work with the person earmarked for the role?

OP posts:
Asiatoyork · 21/10/2023 11:24

It was fine - the person earmarked was in an adjacent team and he was very gracious about it. :)

HamstersAreMyLife · 21/10/2023 11:47

Totally agree with others to go for it. My current role was earmarked for someone else and I applied for practice. You will benefit from from experience even if unsuccessful

Dishwashersaurous · 21/10/2023 12:12

Thanks for explaining.

It's definitely unusual to be paid for deputising when someone is on leave etc. I've never heard of it.

Normally just have to do it.

Love mumsnet.com, learn something new everyday.

Good luck

GabriellaMontez · 21/10/2023 12:17

BranchGold · 20/10/2023 20:11

Then if you’re eligible to apply, apply.

im sure you’ll be familiar with the pot luck approach to behaviours assessments!

Slight thread hijack... but can you expand on this?! I'd like to know more about the pot luck approach. Thanks.

CrapBucket · 21/10/2023 12:21

Totally not the point but I’m not a civil servant so I love reading all the acronyms as they are totally different in my life. Good luck with the Search Engine Optimisation. I love how many Ta Daaaaa’s work for government 🤣

Good luck with your career OP.

MoonlightMuse · 21/10/2023 12:22

Dishwashersaurous · 21/10/2023 12:12

Thanks for explaining.

It's definitely unusual to be paid for deputising when someone is on leave etc. I've never heard of it.

Normally just have to do it.

Love mumsnet.com, learn something new everyday.

Good luck

I work in one of the largest civil service departments and you can get TDA if you’re covering more than one full day for a higher grade.