Civil Service Jobs offer update

[name674398]

I had an interview last week and was verbally offered the job at the end of the day via phone. I'm still waiting for the portal to update for next steps, just wondering if anyone knew how long this took? Does it take longer for successful candidates?

I went for another interview 2 weeks ago and within 48 hours the portal updated to say I was on the reserve list, but not sure if unsuccessful people hear quicker?

I'm hating being at work not being able to tell anyone I'm (hopefully) leaving! Really want to start planning handover.

The recruitment service is being so so so slow at the moment. it unusually is but at the moment it's worse.

Often they offer the job verbally and then reserve people get told (for the record you can be reserve up to a year if another similar job comes up in that time they can offer it to you without interview). Unsuccessful usually hear last through the portal

Civil service recruitment always takes ages which is how we lose the best people. Chase up the vacancy contact and you will need patience.

Same thing happened to my daughter. She chased them multiple times and eventually got confirmation but it took weeks. Be persistent - the squeaky wheel gets oiled first!
Congratulations on the job BTW!

Thanks both, I have another (civil service) interview next week I really didn't want to have to attend but if I haven't gotten an update this week I suppose I'm going to have to attend to cover all bases just in case the job offer is withdrawn I really don't want to prepare for ANOTHER interview!

(I'm civil service currently but my organisation has only just started using civil service jobs so I didn't go through this when I entered).

@Couchpotato3 thank you

I'm mostly impatient as I just want out of current job tbh, still not sure if I will be classed as a transfer or not (ALB) or if my my manager can slow anything down...I just want to go (after usual notice obviously)

Ds has a masters, whats the best way to get into the civil service?

There's the Civil Service fast track scheme (Google) or he can just apply for a job if something comes up in his field. My DD joined Civil Service recently after a few years in local government, so closely related.

He applied for the fast track last year but was unsuccessful, I'm not sure if he can apply again.

I don't know anything about fast stream, but there are always loads of jobs on civil service jobs, it'll depend how technical his masters is and previous experience as to what grade to be looking at. I came into the civil service from the private sector, in a technical field so was looking at a very specific set of jobs.

Took 3 weeks post interview for mine to come in officially, hang in there.

Sometimes they are waiting for you to clear the pre-employment checks before they confirm the offer.

Thanks @name674398

Sorry meant to add good luck!

From what I've heard, Fast Track isn't necessarily all its cracked up to be and it's not the only way in. He might be better off getting a job elsewhere to build up his skills and then applying for something specific that fits his interests.

Do you mean like a general job to build up his skills?

@BurningGubbins I don't think that's the case as I haven't given them any reference details, I assume I need to accept before they do all the rest, portal still says "interview slot booked" although I am technically internal so not sure if that changes anything, I'm just praying my boss doesn't get sent anything before I have chance to speak with him!

The interview panel have to enter a while load of evidence into the system for each candidate (basically the score and justification and feedback to the candidate for each behaviour and experience section, plus a general feedback bit) before they can submit the whole result set back to recruitment. It's an absolute pain the proverbial for the panel chair, though I obviously understand why it is essential to enable fair and transparent competition.

Only once they've typed in all the information for everyone will the system update for everyone. They'll verbally let the successful/reserve candidates know ASAP in the hope the candidate doesn't accept something else during the looooong wait for more information.

Once you've accepted the role, pre-employment checks can take up to a few months, and we advise people not to hand in their notice until the checks are back as the offer of employment is dependant on the checks. So it could be a while before you can (should) tell your current employer ....

I'm going to have to do the other interview aren't I 😭 that one requires developed vetting so won't be able to start before Christmas if I'm successful in that one 🙈