Civil service interview advice

[YouLando]

I have a CS interview next week, for a band 3 AO admin role.

Will I be able to use the same examples for the behaviours that I used on my application, or would that count against me? I think they're good ones, and am struggling to think of different examples that I'm equally happy with. Will there also be strength-based questions?

I'm getting so nervous. I have previously worked at the same place, but as an agency worker in a different (non-admin) role. The role I'm going for is a bit of a departure for me, but I really really need this job.

I have also recently gone through the interview process with the CS.

Having trawled through posts about CS interviews (and there seem to be a fair few!) a piece of advice I came across and liked was that the examples you gave in your application form got you through to the interview stage so they're obviously strong - stick with them. I did use the same examples in my case as I would have struggled to think of anything else really plus you obviously have more chance to expand on what you've already written when talking so can add in some details etc.

However, I have yet to find out if this was good advice or not as I'm still waiting to hear back on whether or not I was successful

Absolutely use the examples on your form, they got you through the sift. It won’t count against you, and the interview panel might not have even seen them anyway depending on whether they were involved in the sift or not. Make sure you expand on them though.

Be aware that you might be asked actual questions no just “tell me about a time when you made a decision/delivered at pace etc” and it’s important that you answer the question asked and don’t just regurgitate your prepared example. Have some alternative examples in reserve - I find it helpful to have a list next to me of scenarios you’ve encountered, then I can refer to it in the course of the interview.

I have just completed a week of interviews and the candidates who just read out a prepped answer all scored lower than the more natural candidates.

There might be strengths based, it should say on the job advert. You can’t really prep for them anyway though.

Good luck!

Oh, and strength-based questions - a lot of posts I read stated this would have been set out in the original job advert. However, mine definitely did not mention strengths (but did mention behaviours, technical and abilities) yet there were certainly some in the interview. So I would personally be prepared for all eventualities!

I'm an SEO and have always used the same examples, but have a back up example for every behaviour just in case it doesn't fit the question :)

Yes to having more than one example for different items on the spec; i ballsed up an interview by using up an example on one question and then needing the same example for another very similar question.

Yeah, it's fine to use the same examples, I had someone do that in an interview yesterday and it was a good example. Tbh, I'm not sure if I would have remembered it if they hadn't said, as we had a LOT of applicants. Plus you can get into a lot more detail than you can on the application form.
Definitely second the above about ensuring you're answering the question and not reading the answers. I've never seen someone do that until one candidate yesterday and it really didn't serve her well.
The strength questions are genuinely about getting to know you better, it's best if your answer doesn't sound rehearsed. But they can be about things like how you prefer to work, do you prefer detail or strategy, how have you reacted to feedback in the past. So no harm thinking a bit about yourself and what you like best about work, and what your strengths and development areas are.

Thanks all for your replies, really helpful 😊👍
Sounds OK then to use the same examples, but have a few alternatives in reserve, and be able to expand on my application form. Will check if the advert mentioned strengths, and I have looked at the list of strengths for each behaviour.

Good luck QueenOfDuisburg🤞 hope you hear back soon (also, love your name, LOG fan by any chance?)

You are fine to use the same ones, it’s likely that the people interviewing won’t have even seen your initial application. I frequently interview within my civil service department and never see the initial application beforehand. Good luck! 😊

@YouLando yes, a huge LoG fan!

Thanks, and good luck to you too 🤞

Thanks QueenOfDuisburg 🤞🤞 Alles klar 😁