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Original poster

Civil Service - DWP Interview

85 replies

lmcintyre8676 · 03/09/2018 15:25

I may potentially have an interview coming up with the civil service within the DWP and i'm trying to come up with answers for the 2 other competencies that i might be asked on. These are 'making effective desicions' and 'collaborating and partnering'.

I've got a few situations in my mind that i could use from previous jobs but the dificulty is trying to fit these answers around their framework and how relevant my answers are.

For the making effective decisions one i have one along the lines of recognising that the way work was allocated across the team wasn't fair or equal leaving others with substantially more work than others, advising the team leader of this and taking suggestions on board from the rest of the team as to how this can be improved. Weighing up pros and cons of what was suggested and putting forward what i felt was the best solution to the team leader.

I'm struggling a bit with the collaborating and partnering, nearly every job i've had i've worked as part of a team sometimes small and sometimes larger also built good professional relationships with external clients/contractors etc

Any advice would be great!

OP posts:
madvixen · 29/09/2018 14:56

The key is to make your written competencies as strong as possible to get you to the interview stage. You can worry about finding other examples after you've sent the application in.

I always find the interview ones a little easier as you aren't limited to 250 words 😮
I love working for the MoD so I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you. Is it a London role?

2BorNot2Bvocal · 29/09/2018 15:19

Jajoanna They didn't ask anything about the examples given on the application form or even refer to any information on the form at all, not even one of my most recent jobs which would be highly relevant. I think I only went back to one of those examples to answer an interview question.

The questions were not as general as tell about what makes a great team leader & when have you demonstrated that. I went off on a tangent on one which was quite specific but they guided me back to what they actually wanted. They will ask further questions to flesh out an answer if you only partially cover it.

I think my tip for interview would be after remembering STAR, remember 'I'. We're all so team focused in our workplaces that We is engrained language.

Jajoanna · 29/09/2018 15:35

2BorNot2Bvocal Thanks. So I guess the best bet is to have examples for each competency prepared, and learn to talk about it so as you use STAR approach and you include every single point from the relevant framework table...?

Jajoanna · 29/09/2018 15:40

madvixen yes, you are right. I have only one out of five left to finish, otherwise it's just the personal statement and application itself.

This particular one I want to apply for is outside London. I will be looking into London based ones too, but from what I've seen so far, there aren't any of my preference around there.

Jajoanna · 29/09/2018 15:43

madvixen and thanks for your support. Civil Services jobs is something I discovered not a long time ago, but it seems like an extremely family and work-life balance friendly environment to work in. I am not holding my breath, but want to try to know I have at least attempted it.

madvixen · 29/09/2018 15:58

It's the most supportive employer I have ever worked for. It's also the most fun I've ever had in roles, which always surprises people when you consider what we do.

With regard to London jobs, very few jobs ever make it to the external recruitment stage. When you get in (positive mental attitude there 😀) you will see far more advertised on the internal version of CS jobs. You will also have access to the internal talent schemes which opens up even more opportunities.

ScabbyBabby · 29/09/2018 16:24

Congratulations Wizzywig!!! That's fantastics news, well done- and it sounds like you were in much the same situation as me- I stayed at home with the kids for 10 years.

ScabbyBabby · 29/09/2018 16:27

Good luck Jajoanna, it sounds like you will be well prepared.

Madvixen, so glad to hear your words about what a good employer they are, can't wait for my start date now.

Jajoanna · 29/09/2018 16:30

Wow ScabbyBabby, this sounds like great achievement of yours then:) I have been in employment so far (now just part time from home as my third and youngest will only start nursery next term), but nothing worth exploring. Now it's high time for me to do something for myself...

ScabbyBabby · 29/09/2018 16:43

Jajoanna, thank you, I used competency examples from over 10 years ago when I was working, I'll be honest, I really struggled to remember the details. I'm just so grateful to have found an employer that doesn't judge on career gaps.

It sounds like the civil service will be perfect for you, it feels like a proper career move doesn't it? Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Jajoanna · 29/09/2018 16:57

madvixen good to hear you enjoy it so much. My unfulfilled dream is to get a job and be genuinely happy with what I'm doing;)

ScabbyBabby yes it does! Hence I'll be trying, let's see how it goes.

wizzywig · 01/10/2018 08:47

I had 1 question per competancy and i was expected to talk for 10 mins per question. What is nice is that the interviewer will ask you more probing questions to ensure you fulfil the competancy. They want you to do well. Obvs they arent going to guide you

ScabbyBabby · 10/10/2018 11:32

How is it going Jajoanna?

2BorNot2Bvocal · 22/10/2018 14:54

I was not successful after interview. Putting it down as an interesting experience Smile.

ScabbyBabby · 23/10/2018 06:43

Commiserations 2Bvocal.
You can chalk it up to experience and practice now for the next time.

2BorNot2Bvocal · 23/10/2018 07:56

Thanks Scabby.
Not sure there'll be a next time. As on other thread I think the £125 train ticket for a 4 question interview is hard to justify.

ScabbyBabby · 23/10/2018 12:11

That is so expensive, I can understand that 2Bvocal.

I’m guessing you live somewhere more rural?

Hope something comes up soon for you, that’s within easier reach.

Jajoanna · 31/10/2018 21:23

Hey everyone,

ScabbyBabby I got to the interview stage. Had it on 19th and it went well I think (I already got feedback on my profile). Was waiting for their next email communicating whether I got it or not, but instead discovered on my profile that I''ve been put on a reserve list... I am still waiting and hoping that maybe they will offer me one of the original posts...

The lady at interview said that apart from 5 original posts they might have some more as the whole department is being restructured and some additional people could move up freeing up more posts.

2BorNot2Bvocal that's a shame you didn't succeed after interview, you did well though to have got to that stage:)

I wanted to ask if any of you can explain what
"selection exercise 2 &3" mean in my feedback section?
Under selection exercise 1 I have my interview feedback for each competency plus an overall rating which all seem to be good if you ask me.
I am trying to determine if that's it (didn't get any of the original posts and on the reserve list) or if there is still a chance....

Jajoanna · 31/10/2018 21:25

Under "selection exercise 2 &3" it still says: "Your application is awaiting review" hence I'm still hoping...

2BorNot2Bvocal · 01/11/2018 14:24

I think selection exercise 1 feedback is comment on your application form. I then had application awaiting review (with a number for performance in the online test under the next tab). Then you have been listed for interview. That didn't change until 5 weeks after the interview to not successful or whatever the phrase was with competency grades.

2BorNot2Bvocal · 01/11/2018 14:25

You might be waiting for the sesurity checks to go through before it updates?

Sounds a good result though !

Jajoanna · 01/11/2018 14:47

Hmm, I don't know- it's confusing...
Under Sift feedback I have ratings for my application written competencies,
Under interview feedback there were selection exercise 1,2 &3 which before interview all said "Your application is awaiting review".

After interview the selection exercise 1 holds my interview feedback but the other two are still unchanged while my application's status is "in reserve".

I haven't heard from them in respect of security checks yet...
It probably all depends which department one applied for and what the application process looked like...

Oh well, if nothing changes in the next week and a half I will probably email them to ask what the situation is...Needles to say the wait is nerve wracking....:/

hollytom · 01/11/2018 18:18

I am in a similar situation I was interviewed on 16th October been checking the site and now I have scores on there with some comments but my status is still scheduled for first interview. I was told that if I pass everyone will be put on reserve list. It’s all a bit complicated

Jajoanna · 01/11/2018 20:42

hollytom are the scores and comments regardnig the interview? Is it under "selection exercise 1"?
After my interview the status of application changed to "being reviewed".
From what I read in various different threads, it can be a very long winded process and the system is not always updated promptly, leaving the candidates on their toes...

radioband · 01/11/2018 20:57

Hi, I was put on the reserve list and offered a job about 6 weeks later, I declined it due to location but was offered another the next day locally, unfortunately I had to decline this as well as I couldn't attend the training date. They've kept me on reserve for future vacancies though.