Civil service interview help!

[Longtimebrowser]

I have been invited to an interview next week for a job at HEO level in the civil service. I have only ever interviewed in the private sector so aware that this will be very different so want to do as much prep as possible. Can anyone give me any insight into the structure of the interview? I have started prep against each of the behaviours listed as well as more common interview questions but keen to understand what else I should be doing! I will also need to do a presentation (yet to be informed on the topic) so any advice on that would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

When I interviewed and passed (job was crap so didn't take it) I had to use the STAR method. Answer everything based on the competencies on your application.

Yes definitely the star method with your answers. Situation, task, action and result. It’s almost like a checklist that they’ll be marking off to make sure you include all those in your answers. When preparing for interviews I would think of examples I would give and write them down in the STAR format and learn them.
Assuming you received information on the job role that you can use to think up all your examples to suit them? It’s been a while but I have done a few civil service interviews as I started as an AA and was HEO when I left.

You can use the examples you gave in your application form but always good to have a few others ready to give them as well.

Thank you - yes will definitely make sure I prep with the STAR method. Do they talk through your CV at the start of the interview so I can give an overview of my experience?

Long standing civil service employee. In my experience (and I have only ever interviewed internally, and have sat on a few interview panels) they're might be a small bit of chat at the start but will focus on examples and look to discuss in the star method.

On your application did you have to submit several examples? These are usually measured up to a framework of points to hit and cover. You will be asked a qu such as "tell me about a time you took the lead in a situation that resulted in a positive outcome" this would relate to an example about leadership and you would be expected to talk through your specific example against the framework.

Good luck 😊

What did the job advert ask for? Behaviours, CV, personal statement?
You will definitely asked for examples of the behaviours-it is ok to talk about the examples you used in your application. They may also ask strength based questions- you are given a question/ situation and you have two minutes to answer, these are not about right or wrong answers, they will be gauging your enthusiasm, body language , natural reactions etc.

www.interviewgold.com/advice/civil-service-interviews/

Some good guidance here

I would also focus on the way you talk , instead of using passive language like I was asked to do xyz , day for example I was instrumental in the xyz project - make it look like you’re a leader

Thanks @rosegoldivy - yes I had to do a personal statement with examples. I was planning on using those plus additional ones that relate to each behaviour.
Interviews are so daunting and it being on a video call just adds to it!

Yes to the STAR method. Couple of examples to address each competence. Make sure you refer to what YOU have done, not generic “we” - although it can seem unnatural and like boasting it is necessary! If you don’t tell them what you’re done they can’t guess! Relax and realise the panel want you to succeed as they have a role to fill. (Ex SEO, few years retired, quite a bit of interviewing experience from both sides of the desk.)
Good luck.

@iamme21 the application just asked for CV and personal statement. The required behaviours are in the job advert so I'm focussing on those with a couple of examples for each one.

CS experienced recruiter here.

What kind of CS job is it?

Unlikely to go through your CV as all candidates get the same question.

Prepare an answer to: why do you want this job? Or “what attracted you to this role?”. In both cases, your answer should cover both what the job will give you as well as what you have to contribute to the job.

Also think about an answer to “what will your development needs be in this role?”, especially given you come from the private sector.

Agree with STAR format, and that you can use your application form examples but should also have back up examples for each behaviour, in case they are more relevant to the question being asked.

You might get strength based questions (check the application pack) - google civil service strength based questions.

Presentation: stick to the time limit, do your homework (ie google some stuff about the topic area you are going into and what the government is doing on it), structure it clearly and don’t just ramble on with a big list of things to say. Have a beginning, middle, end, have a conclusion.

Good luck!

The fact it is remote is WAY better, you can use notes!

Thanks everyone! Lots of useful advice so much appreciated. It's for a HR role - more junior than what I am doing at the mo but prepared to do this to break into the civil service.

Another small note to add.
When talking about examples be sure to always try and say "I did this, I did that, I took lead etc" focus on what you specifically did.
It might sound obvious but so many people in interview will automatically refer to situations and talk in sense of "we done this, we done that"

And always put a good emphasis on the outcome, its surprising how many people forget to actually detail the outcome for examples

I'm in a similar level in a large public sector organisation and when interviewed, I used STAR but also 'book-ended' the response with 1. A statement to demonstrate your understanding of why they ask this, why this of importance and 2. How you will relate this to the role.

This was the first time I used this technique (a mentor shared this with me) and I successfully jumped quite a few grades to be offered the role.

Good luck!

God I hate the STAR method of interviewing, all it is is a game. What's wrong with straightforward interview questions