Civil service interview - external candidate

[ecuse]

Hi,

I have an interview for a policy DD role (Grade SCS1) coming up in January.

I have never worked in the civil service before - always in private sector. I vaguely understand the civil service to be some bizarre world of its own in terms of interview process. I have spoken informally to the Director recruiting to the role and am assured that they're genuinely interested in external applicants, not just going through the motions.

Understand I need to bone up on success profiles which I am doing - but is anyone with experience of either interviewing or being interviewed at DD level willing to share tips about how best to approach or sample questions? According to guidance, the behaviours most likely to be asked about are 'developing self and others', 'managing a quality service' and 'delivering at pace'. Strengths are more vague though, and not clearly mapped to grades - although they are mapped to behaviours so I guess there's a clue - but will they stick to them, or should I expect to be asked about literally anything?
And I'm confused about 'ability' - selection guide for the role suggest I'll be assessed on ability, but the generic candidate guidance makes that sounds like the (fast stream?) civil service exams. As far as I'm aware, I've only been invited for interview. Am I likely to be doorstepped with a Rorscach test??

There will be a presentation, but I haven't yet had the topic come through.

Any advice appreciated! Basically - I know how to prepare for a job interview generally, but if there are any civil servant insider tips of where this might be different to what I'm used to, I'd really appreciate them!

Congratulations! I joined the CS from academia last year. I’m not SCS yet, but would say:

• for our DD roles you often have to do a group exercise with existing staff. Have you been asked to do this?
• definitely talk to other civil servants if you can. Hopefully someone will come along here who is DD/D level. If not, go back to the recruiting director and ask for contacts.
• we’re just generally doing behaviour based questions still (the old approach) but with some strengths. These are generally more fun and you can’t prepare much for them.
• you really really need to show concrete outcomes/impacts and explain them in a way that will engage the panel. I had to work on this - talking about the impact of my work at its widest level, so for me (health background) that was things like cost saving to the nhs and influencing national policy

Thanks for the response! No, I've heard nothing about a group exercise, just a presentation (for which I don't yet know topic)

Extra thanks for the advice: I got the job! Any tips now on negotiating salary at the top of the band as an external candidate?!

Could you please help by a way of advise how you prepared and applied for the SCS1 job. I am in the process of applying for one. Any advise is much appreciated.
Regards