Civil Service Job - Reserve list query

[fatasapancake]

I have been told I have been successful in my application for a 2 different roles in the civil service. Both these roles are recruiting for all the positions they anticipate needing over the next 12 months and confirmed at the application stage that successful candidates would all be put on a reserve list with the first posts being filled in July/Aug.

They are very clear that they cannot tell you where you are on the list.

Having never applied for a civil service role before, can anyone who knows more about it tell me if the list will be everyone who met a minimum standard or the (eg) 20 people they anticipate needing plus and additional 5 for anticipated drop out?

I am particularly keen to do one of the jobs since it is a step into something I have been training for outside of my normal job for 3 years but I find it difficult not to have an outline plan. I can't decide whether to carry on looking for another job or not. I don't dislike my existing job and I work with nice people but I am really looking forward to being able to use my training.

If being on the reserve list means I am almost guaranteed to get a role, I'll hang fire but if not, I need to look at other options.

Thanks very much for any help!

I'd keep your irons in the fire re looking at alternative roles, plus stay in your current role in the meantime while you're looking.

If you are on the CS shortlist, you can take it that they do hold successful candidates and could contact you at any time, so be prepared to respond if they do, but don't put any other options on hold if they are advantageous. It is a common process to do a large recruitment campaign because CS is a significant employer, so it's highly likely you will be contacted if you've already made the cut.

I was on a reserve list with CS and was contacted within two weeks with a start date.