New civil service application process

[tequilasunrises]

Hi everyone

My DH is applying for a CS job at HEO level. He isn’t currently civil service - I am, but have been in a while so my knowledge is a bit out of date!

The application process has changed a lot and they are asking for a personal statement outlining why you want the job and why you think you’d be a good fit. All fine, but the spec mentions behaviours which seem similar to the old competencies.

So DH isn’t sure whether he needs to use the STAR format to demonstrate these behaviours or if there is a different way to do well these days? And I’m not sure how to advise him! He’s got plenty to write on why he wants the job and the technical side but just not sure how to fit these behaviours in.

Could anyone help please?

Thanks

I had to do a personal statement for my current post. It will be assessed against the behaviours so whilst you don’t need to do competency style examples you do need to make sure what you’re saying is relevant to the behaviour. So for example if one of them is Developing self and others, you’d need to say something like “I excel at developing others and have demonstrated this through my extensive work as a mentor in my current organisation” and expand on it, rather than do it in the “tell me about a time when you developed self and others” competency style. I did put in examples but with the personal statement you’re often more restricted on the word count so it’s impossible to evidence each one with a specific example. I’ve sifted personal statements and we sifted in people who did give examples and some who didn’t didn’t, so long as the behaviour was broadly evidenced. Of course at interview you’d go into much more detail but the personal statement can be much more high level. Don’t just say “I’m really good at this” though, you have to back it up “... and have demonstrated this through my work as blah blah blah”.

And to answers if its different these days - it varies, some recruiters are asking for 250 word examples for each behaviours, some are asking for a personal statement. The pattern I’m seeing is that for bulk recruitment where we get hundreds of applications we’re asking for personal statements as they’re quicker to sift, for single or small no. of vacancies we ask for 250 word examples of the behaviours like the competencies.

Can I ask where he is finding heo jobs advertised for external applicants? Ds is looking and most seem to be eo or entry level jobs. So far long answers aren't proving successful so trying star approach.

Having just spent the whole afternoon sifting G7 applications, more than happy for anyone to PM me.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles good place to start

Thanks for the responses. I will PM you if that’s ok @Dinosauraddict.

@LIZS he found the job on the CS jobs and website although I had an email alert too as I have them set up for HEO roles.

Hi Peeps, I really need some help!!! I am currently in the process of applying for a HEO role at the Home Office. The Personal Statement's word limit is 1250 a mini essay really the competency's are separate so I do not need to incorporate them into it. It's a dream job role for me opportunity to work with senior officials and also has an international twist to it. Is it possible to send the personal statement to anyone and they could give me feedback?? Please

I'm applying for civil service and the application is daunting, its so long since I applied for anything

All the info about the behaviours is on the Cs website in the success profiles section.

1250 words is not that many if you are writing against the requirements of the role. It is approx 5 x250 words depending on what the requirements are.

The good thing about the approach is that once you have one lot of behaviours sorted you can use them for multiple applications with just a tweak. And you pretty much know what they are going to ask you in interview.

Good luck!