Civil service - provisional offer - following up...

[birdbybird]

Hi,

I received a provisional offer for the civil service in the middle of august. Have just finished week 3 of waiting for outcome of the security checks.

Earlier this week I sent a follow up email to the HR woman and left a voicemail earlier today. When we last spoke 3 weeks ago she said she gets weekly updates from the vetting team. All I’m after is an update as I have another provisional offer (also from the civil service as well as other interviews. Is this normal ‘etiquette’ for civil service HR to take so long to respond to you?

No wonder they lose so many people if they can’t even acknowledge your email.

Yes its normal! And the reason we lose so many good people during the recruitment process.

Yup. Frustrating isn’t it. And the checks take feckin ages which is completely unrealistic.

Yes. it's government. everything takes forever

I was offered a job in May, still waiting for SC clearance. So frustrating!

Yep. It took me four months to get into post!

I should have also said, I haven't had any updates other than when I have asked for one, and that usually takes about 3 days when I have emailed them.

Yep normal. Took 4-5 months for me to get into post 0 communications pretty much ... that was 10 years ago tho so it may have improved

@Everythingmagnolia

I was offered a job in May, still waiting for SC clearance. So frustrating!

How many weeks ago did you submit the vetting questionnaire? I may be 3 months behind you. Mine’s also a security check. Have you managed to get any updates in this time?

Ah just saw your second post!

@Jiggeriepokerie

Yep. It took me four months to get into post!

Did you start recently? During Covid?

It was 18 months ago so no covid excuse! They're notoriously slow. Even when they have all the paperwork in place it still takes weeks to get the full offer out.

And no updates unless I chased them.

@birdbybird I completed my SC application about 6 weeks ago. I thought I was getting close to the end of the process and realised I was just at the beginning.

I received my DBS certificate yesterday. My department has told me they are seeking permission to take me on at risk until the clearance comes through. However, I am worried that I could start the job and then be let go if the clearance fails for any reason.

I am currently between jobs as my family relocated over the summer and have tried getting a temp job in the meantime but there's nothing going where we are living, it's quite rural.

My husband is in the army so the Civil Service is perfect for me so I am hoping it all works out!

@Everythingmagnolia good luck with it! So it looks like you’re 3 weeks ahead of me!
Would be great if you could post an update once your checks are complete...

I’m also between jobs. Looking after a baby who’s getting very active. So although I’ll miss him. Will be glad when I get some help from nursery.

@Everythingmagnolia any update with your situation.

The department I’m working for is so slack, despite an email and call I’ve had no reply for two weeks.

There should be a question mark at the end of the first sentence.

@birdbybird sorry for the late update, I missed your reply.

I now have a starting date in 2 weeks time, however, I am still waiting for my SC clearance. I am being taken on "at risk". This means that if my clearance fails for any reason then they will let me go. They did ask my thoughts before we proceeded with this and I agreed, but I must admit I am nervous just in case.

Do you have an update?

@Everythingmagnolia
I haven’t been given the option to start at risk. I managed to speak to someone in HR but unfortunately they didn’t have any update.
It’ll be 6 weeks tomorrow and haven’t even received the DBS certificate yet.
In the private sector, I received the DBS a week after applying!
Is your role office based or will you be wfh during Covid? Mine will be wfh. Also do you know if yours is an urgent role?

It's working for the MoD, because of the nature of the job I wouldn't be able to work from home.

My department have kept in touch throughout and have told me their frustration at the process. They had to apply to the DBS to allow me to start at risk. I received my DBS certificate about 2 weeks ago now.

I don't think mine is urgent as such, I think they are just aware that I was offered the job in May, they said they have lost staff in the past who found other jobs whilst waiting to get cleared.

@Everythingmagnolia Good luck and keep me posted if you don’t mind. DM if you prefer. I’ll do the same I hope it all goes well for you! I’m sure it will.
It’s such a long wait...