Civil Service success profiles

[Isleepinahedgefund]

Is anyone familiar with these? My department hasn't started using them yet and I'm applying to one that does, so we have no guidance aside from the Civil Service Learning gumph.

I need some guidance as to how to write the statement they want - do I need to include examples to quantify what I say about myself, or do I just do a blurb? It's limited to 750 words so I can't put too much in.

Eg do I just say
"
In my current role I often have to work tight deadlines in with my current workload when a defendant provides new information whilst a trial is in progress",

or do I also need to include an example of when this has happened and add something like

"most recently a defendant produced a large volume of financial data two weeks prior to the trial, and indicated that supported his defence. I was required to analyse the data and write a further report to court within a week etc i did it like this and it was a roaring success"?

Any advice gratefully received!

[Isleepinahedgefund]

@Natz267 yes - PM it to me

[advicegratefullyaccepted]

@Isleepinahedgefund I have another question if I may! I have about 5 key skills and 6 key experiences relevant to the role. Should I be providing an example of each of the 4 behaviours for each skill? I don't think there seems to be a word count for this section, but just curious to know what is 'normally expected'? How long should this section be? Thanks so much for your help!

[Isleepinahedgefund]

@advicegratefullyaccepted

Include all your relevant skills/experience, but be succinct about it - a couple of short sentences for each - definitely don’t give a long example. It really is supplementary information.

For instance i would write

“Coaching - I am a qualified workplace coach with several years’ experience supporting colleagues 1-1 in my last three workplaces. This translates into my supportive approach to leading teams.”

[Sch28]

Can anyone give me advice on applying for Admin role in Civil Service and need to use STAR example for the Behaviours, one of which is Leadership. I was previously a Team Manager, but don't think any examples would be relevant for this role? What are they looking for exactly?

[Isleepinahedgefund]

For leadership it isn’t about being officially in charge of people, it’s how you behave within your role and with your peers.

At admin level, Examples of what you could use:

When you have had to challenge upwards, and did so confidently, delicately and successfully. Example a coachee of mine used an example of when she realised an IT rollout programme could make better use of the paid for support from the software developer, and brought this to to the attention of senior colleagues along with a plan

When you have mentored a new peer to make them feel included and help them settle in - at admin level I’d rather see peer to peer examples rather than manager to direct report unless the role you’re applying for has line management responsibilities

When you have helped others embrace a change - again, peer to peer. For instance I have a good example from when significant changes were imposed on the whole department without consultation and I played a significant part in helping my same grade team members navigate and embed the changes by supporting and mentoring them

Taking a significant part in corporate activities such as staff network groups

[Maya0108]

Hi Isleepinginahedgefund,

First of all, thank you for taking the time to support everyone here with their CS applications - it's not often we can get advice to the level you have given.

I wonder if you can give some guidance on my predicament - I worked for the CS and took a redundancy 3 yrs ago. I started to work in the family business and had care responsibilites. The job I am applying for very closely matches the job I used to do in the CS (and in which I have over 15yrs experience) but I'm really concerned that the examples for the behaviours I have are 3 years old. Will this be detrimental to my application?

[Isleepinahedgefund]

Hi, doesn't matter how old your examples are. The only thing with old examples is that it's hard to recall the granular details after all that time. Might be a good idea to spend some time just writing down everything you can remember about the scenario, it's amazing how much detail can a come back to you when you do that.

The whole CS recruitment has changed in the time you've been away - it's not the rigid competency based approach anymore.

[Maya0108]

@Isleepinahedgefund.That's really good to know - you've put my mind to rest. Your advice on this thread has been invaluable and much appreciated. :)

[february08baby]

@Isleepinahedgefund

I'm applying for a position with the MOD that someone I know in the MOD said I should apply for as they are looking for people with my type of experience. However, the advert is full of jargon that I don't understand so I'm rather nervous that this would count against me. Its at a naval base. I know nothing about the navy.

The application asks for 250 word answers to demonstrate the following behaviours: leadership, developing self and others, and working together.

Do you have any tips for me please? Should I give examples related to the navy etc? How do I stay within the 250 words?

I'm disabled as well so I fear that may count against me :(

[Darbs76]

@february08baby - have you had a look at the success profiles website? You need to read through the info. Use the info provided above as it applies still. Use the STAR approach to display your example. Use the behaviours indicators as a guide. I’ve worked for the Home Office for nearly 20yrs and done a lot of recruitment, though not yet under success profiles. I have however ran some courses on it for staff. If you get to interview stage there’s some really good examples of people being interviewed, especially helpful for the strengths quick fire questions which is new.

If you are disabled you can get a guaranteed interview, but you still need to meet the minimum mark, so for example if the mark is 4 usually to pass for interview, but they increase it to 5 as they have a lot of people with a 4, you will still get an interview. So worth ticking the box that you see disabled. I’ve certainly never discriminated against anyone for disabilities, I have a chronic illness myself.

Make sure your example is an example of something you’ve done, not as a team for example. Use the behaviour indicator to make sure you’ve covered everything, as when it’s marked that’s what will be used to score it. Good luck

[february08baby]

Thank you. The quick fire questions might be something I struggle with as I'm deaf. It all sounds so complicated!

Is the MOD very isolating and internal, in that there isn't much engagement with external organisations? You just never really hear about partnership working with the MOD whereas in this current job I do a lot of partnership working and networking.

The actual MOD job I could do easily I reckon but just worried I won't be as out and about as much.

How long is the recruitment process?

[Darbs76]

I’m afraid I don’t know anything about MOD. I suspect you’re right that it’s very insular. But I’m not sure, as we have never had anything to do with MOD like we do with some other government departments.

It’s called quick fire but you have 2-3 mins to answer, so you’ll be ok, they will have to accommodate for your disability, if you need a signer they should be able to arrange that. It’s just a certain way you answer them, so definitely watch the success profiles strengths videos on YouTube. There’s also some videos on there for the behaviours too

[Maya0108]

@Darbs76
Hi, you mentioned courses you ran and that there are good examples of people being interviewed and the strengths quick-fire questions. Is there any material I can look at for this and is it just quick fir on strengths?

Thanks

[Millie4007]

@Isleepinahedgefund apologies for re hashing this old thread but I'm also trying to complete a CS application using the success profiles. It's all new to me having come from another service & I'm not sure exactly what they are looking for in my answers. There are 4 behaviours, Making effective decisions, delivering at pace, communicating & influencing and seeing the bigger picture. I've read your advice re making effective decisions & am quite confident I can find a suitable example for that one, could you offer any advice on the others. I'd love to run the application by you if that's possible?
I know I have the skills & experience for the role but just need to know how to put it across, can you help ?

[ElinaHandbasket]

Hi
Why you say winged which example/method did you use?
I'm driving myself crazy with typing and reworking it.
I feel every example could fit in all categories!

[Tinkerbell9]

@Isleepinahedgefund whilst scratching my head trying to figure out how on earth I was going to approach the application form for a job I'd really like with DEFRA I came across this superb thread. Thank you so much for the advice you have given thus far. I currently work for MoD and haven't applied for a new post in 4 years, in which time, Success Profiles has come in. I appreciate that at the time we were told that this was to make it easier for us to apply for jobs but to be honest I'm finding it more difficult as it all seems to be a bit woolly! I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction please. There is a box for entering my employment details and below this a box for previous skills & experience. I'm assuming that the former is just a list and the latter is to demonstrate the skills & experience that I've gained that are pertinent to the job advertised? Many thanks in advance.

[Tokidoki78]

Hi i'm currently doing a course to help me on my way to becoming a work coach but am really struggling to write a 1200 word personal statement. Any hints and tips would be greatly received!

Thanks in advance i'm very new to all this and have never posted before. :)

[EmmacbPops]

Hiya - this has all been really useful. I know this post is old but is anyone able to give me some advice on a CS personal statement. I need to write 500 words providing examples of how things I have done in the past and my skills and experience helped me demonstrate the Civil Service Behaviour Communicating and Influencing. I just need to know how to start off, I'm probably over thinking !

[Ansa]

Hi I need so help with writing the statements ? Where do I start 😭

[MylosMum]

@Ansa

Hi I need so help with writing the statements ? Where do I start 😭

I'd help you but I didn't get through to Interview stage. Welcome to pm me. :)

[MylosMum]

[quote Darbs76]@february08baby - have you had a look at the success profiles website? You need to read through the info. Use the info provided above as it applies still. Use the STAR approach to display your example. Use the behaviours indicators as a guide. I’ve worked for the Home Office for nearly 20yrs and done a lot of recruitment, though not yet under success profiles. I have however ran some courses on it for staff. If you get to interview stage there’s some really good examples of people being interviewed, especially helpful for the strengths quick fire questions which is new.

If you are disabled you can get a guaranteed interview, but you still need to meet the minimum mark, so for example if the mark is 4 usually to pass for interview, but they increase it to 5 as they have a lot of people with a 4, you will still get an interview. So worth ticking the box that you see disabled. I’ve certainly never discriminated against anyone for disabilities, I have a chronic illness myself.

Make sure your example is an example of something you’ve done, not as a team for example. Use the behaviour indicator to make sure you’ve covered everything, as when it’s marked that’s what will be used to score it. Good luck[/quote]
This probably is a silly question but how on earth do I start my personal statement. Should I go 'boom' straight in with the examples or explain abit about myself and why I want the job. I'm sure I'm over complicating things.. any help welcomed

[SuperlativeScrubs]

Another putting in for a civil service job (MoJ) and struggling to find examples of Managing a Quality Service, Working Together and Making Effective Decisions.

I know what I need to put but I am struggling to put it into words and find the guidelines a bit vague?

[Smiley2882]

@Isleepinahedgefund Hi there, I hope I can get some help. Applied for Civil Service Job. I am really stuck on a Personal statement. I have been working in the same job for the last 15 years. I need a new challenge as my kids are in high school. Would you be able to give me some tips so I can build my statement on that. I would be really grateful.

[arcangels10]

Please can I send you my Civil Service application so that you can have a look. I have had two unsuccessful attempts.

[Ammistar]

Hi,
I was delighted to see all the help and information you are giving people who are like my self seeking help. I am currently in the process of applying for CS role as a work coach, I am struggling with starting off the behaviour statement. I have been a full time Mum for most of my adult life ☺️, I have worked in the retail sector in between having children so I do have a few years experience. I’m just feeling so anxious because my mind is blank on what kind of examples to use, I’ve dealt with home life and growing children who are at University now so I have definitely got life skills or should I say dealing with so many different situations. I’m just struggling to give examples, Please help any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance