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Original poster

Civil Service Reserve list- anyone get offered a job?

40 replies

BarbiesPinkShoes23 · 25/10/2017 12:56

I recently applied for AO role within the Civil Service. I was really pleased to get my first interview in ages. Due to circumstances- one of my DC was in hospital, I wasn't as prepared as I would have liked for the interview.

I haven't been offered a job but placed on the reserve list for 12months incase a vacancy becomes available. Given the circumstances and it's not the type of job I've ever done before I'm pleased to have even passed the interview.

I don't want to get my hopes up, so just wondering has anyone on the reserve list been offered a job at a later date? Thanks.

OP posts:
Purpleball · 25/10/2017 12:59

Yes I did but it was 1991. I don’t know if it’s the same now

Original poster
BarbiesPinkShoes23 · 25/10/2017 19:54

Thanks for your reply purpleball. Bumping for evening crowd.

OP posts:
VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 25/10/2017 19:58

Yes, I work with several colleagues who were on a reserve list in multiple roles. Most were approached within weeks. HEO roles and whatever the one below is, I'm sorry, I can never remember the letters!!

Good luck.

Siouxsie76 · 25/10/2017 20:02

Yes, I work in the Civil Service and candidates on the reserve list are regularly offered roles. Good luck!

ChickensGoBoak · 25/10/2017 20:02

Lots of people (in my area of the business anyway!) come in via the reserve list. For our team, recruitment and DBS checks take an age, by which time the favored individual will have often taken something else.

I'd say you have the best chance if there were multiple posts/lots of candidates, as the extended interview process delays things, and that can also lead to drop-outs.

Good luck!

Original poster
BarbiesPinkShoes23 · 25/10/2017 20:41

Thanks for your replies everyone. There were several hundred posts UK wide so around 50 for my area, so maybe I still have a chance

OP posts:
hardworkharriet · 26/10/2017 10:32

It depends on the dept and area but yes, most people get stuck on. A reserve list for a bit before being offered a post.

flyingpigsinclover · 26/10/2017 10:33

Yes but it was years ago. I turned it down.

ronswansonstache · 26/10/2017 13:03

I was placed on a reserve list for an EO post and was offered a job off the back of it about 4-5 months later! This was in 2003.

Polarbearflavour · 26/10/2017 19:03

I was offered a job in London (EO) from a reserve list from a job a couple of months ago but as my personal circumstances have changed I’m not taking it.

emwithme · 26/10/2017 19:14

I have my current job because the person who had it before me had their reserve list (from 11 months before) come up.

tissuesosoft · 26/10/2017 19:16

I was put on a reserve list in September and I'm now starting in December.

Original poster
BarbiesPinkShoes23 · 26/10/2017 19:23

Thanks for all the positive stories. Tbf I'm probably quite far down the list. I got 5,4,4,4 so a 4 overall; I'm not that bothered with the score just happy to have passed the interview since it was my first in so long.

OP posts:
Dinosauratemydaffodils · 26/10/2017 19:31

Yep. Was interviewed for a job, they told me I did well but that I should be looking at higher grades. Didn't mention the reserve list or anything.

About 2 months later I got a phone call asking if I was still looking for a job and would I be interested in starting the following week. The position was a grade higher than the one I interviewed for so I jumped at the chance. That was mid 2000s.

Ditsy1980 · 26/10/2017 20:11

DB did, interviewed in May, got a phone call end of September and starts next week.

PrudenceDear · 02/02/2018 09:40

Just come across this thread, have you been offered a position yet?

I’ve been on the reserve list since December but been told unlikely any offers will come up
Although also been told they will be having a large intake for the universal credit roll out....

Polarbearflavour · 02/02/2018 09:51

I’m now on THREE reserve lists! How annoying. October, November and January. I’m not holding my breath. I’m internal too.

PrudenceDear · 02/02/2018 11:34

Don’t you have any insider info????

I’ve been offered a position but it’s way out of my preferred locations and not really feasible. At my interview I was told the position was likely to come about in spring/ could be a long wait but now being told if I don’t take this it’s unlikely anything else will come up. Recently made redundant so feel in limbo and struggling

Polarbearflavour · 02/02/2018 13:22

No insider info. Two jobs are MoD and one in Land Registry.

PrudenceDear · 02/02/2018 16:09

I was only joking about the inside info.....

Good luck, I hope something comes up soon

Polarbearflavour · 02/02/2018 17:29

I’m looking elsewhere now.

Funny how they are trying to cut CS posts but continually recruiting - mostly for senior management posts!

siamesecat1 · 02/02/2018 18:04

I was on the reserve list and was offered a role three weeks later (a week ago) . My scores weren't great (6,5,5,4) and it was a fixed term role so had pretty much written that one off.

PrudenceDear · 02/02/2018 20:41

Oh really Siamese, that’s good. Will you take it?

I think I’ll give up now and look elsewhere. Maybe try for another reserve list!!

MeadowHay · 03/02/2018 10:44

I interviewed for an AO role and it was a fairly large recruitment drive I think, unsure of how many people they were hiring but a bunch of roles in like 4 different local offices, so must have been quite a few. I applied in like June, interviewed in September by which time I had already gone into a new job and had changed my mind about this job anyway, but I still went along to see what happens, I was put on the reserve list and not heard anything since. However I seem to remember my reserve list was only for 6 months not 12? Maybe I'm remembering. I'm pregnant now anyway so definitely wouldn't take it if something came up as it would mess up my SMP and I'm sure they wouldn't be over the moon to take on a pregnant lady.

Enni2S · 07/02/2018 09:04

I have been on a reserve list 3 times. All three times I have been offered a role within 3 - 6 months

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