Civil service job application process

[namechange2547]

I work for an ALB currently and applied for a G7 CS role, it's quite a casual application process, no testing and they aren't following the usual CS processes I just had to upload my CV and covering letter to a portal. I'm just mentioning this to say it's not being done in the standard way which probably makes this a harder question to answer anyway!

The portal still says application received after a week, no future interview date was given in the advert, it's a newly created role that will be needed soon so I don't think it'll be a case of "months" as I've sometimes heard for CS, I was just wondering if anyone else has done anything similar and how long it took for you to hear if you got an interview or not? The postholder's G6 line manager is also being recruited for, this closes this weekend so not sure if that will influence it too.

I don't think anyone can help but argh I hate this stage of the job application process and not knowing, I just really like the look of this job.

I don’t know how the Civil Service do things but I do know from my daughter’s experience that employers are much more casual about recruitment processes these days and they won’t always inform you that you haven’t been shortlisted or even that you haven’t been appointed, even after two interviews.

There will be an email address provided for queries- you could ask them. They may have a timescale in mind.

I applied to the cs ages ago, the application was hard going. I didnt hear back...

@CiderJolly thank you yes I probably should but will give them another week as I appreciate a week isn't very long!

@ssd was there a portal? I'm just assuming as the portal has a status that it will update if I don't make the sift. (Perhaps wrongly!)

Ds has applied for several cs jobs recently. Progress is monitored via the portal . They match to specific competencies and behaviours via a scoring system then compare candidates. Unfortunately the process can take months.

@LIZS I don't think this job is going through that process, it was a really unusual application, no success profiles or competencies (I have recruited using the CS system so am familiar with it), literally just desirable and essential experience, upload CV, it was very informal vs other CS jobs I've seen.

Sorry I know I'm being THAT annoying poster

No there wasn't a portal. Now I'm wondering if I applied correctly

Might depend what department. I work for CS but we moved away from the traditional competencies method. CV and cover letter then the panel did the sift. My boss (I’m an EA) sat in loads of panels and then once the long and short soft were done the
Unsuccessful applicants would be informed.

My boss was an scs /3* so slightly higher up maybe but for a G7 job you might find some
Of the panel (the chair) is a scs and possibly the independent so if they’re doing long and short sifts it can be tricky to get in the diary!

@ssd I wouldn't worry CS is huge and all the departments and agencies seem to do things differently which is why my question is completely pointless really!

By portal do you mean Civil Service Jobs?
Most are through there but there may be some exceptions.
They are slow- but they won’t mind a question. Often the advert includes an expected timeline and then it’s usually a good month at least behind in reality

They must have a lot of applications to sift.

@Vodkabulary thank you, yes I suppose there is potential the chair will be SCS if they are needing to recruit the G6 too. I need to be patient!

@CiderJolly no it's not
CS jobs, this area has their own login and portal, I had to create an account for this role. Yeah I will give them a nudge but will wait a bit longer I know I'm impatient ha!

Wishing you luck!

Nothing wrong with feeling impatient- a good example of a ‘weakness’ that you can turn into a strength for job interviews ha ha

Haha yes very true!

I am employed in the CS. Where I am it is common to ask for a CV and covering letter. The covering letter is expected to contain the evidence of competencies against the essential and desirable criteria. You always hear back (via the portal) if you have been successful or not.