Applying to the Civil Service, HEO or SEO?

[hidetheicicles]

Hi all, I’m thinking of applying to a comms role in the civil service. I’ve been working in a PR agency for about eight years (with breaks for kids) and have progressed well. Started entry level (on £14k) and earn mid thirties now but I do feel underpaid. I’m just ready for a change and the agency environment is wearing on me.

Looking at roles, HEO looks like a small dip in pay but would be potentially quite an easy transition as I’d find the job straight forward and could focus on getting to grips with new ways of working etc.

SEO would be a nice salary boost but I’m worried the transition would be more challenging and I do have young kids so the juggle is already quite difficult. My existing job is v demanding and my partner takes more on at home to manage it even though he gets paid more. I would like to try to redress this a bit and definitely not exacerbate it.

I’m pretty resilient and happy to put in the hours. But I need a role where there is a bit more balance and when my kids are sick, I can actually worry about them first instead of going straight to how difficult it’s going to be to manage at work

Does anyone have any advice?

You should be fine applying for SEO. Things like kids have always come first in every CS dept I've worked in. Obviously slightly role-specific, but generally it'd be fine. At SEO you would normally get flexi too, and lots of flexible working options (I'm more senior but still do compressed hours and have DS1).

Wow - this is all just so alien to my ears - kids coming first and genuinely flexible working options! Thank you that’s helpful. I’m not a very experienced interviewee so lots to practice there, any tips?

Oh also I’m in the North so potentially could be home based, is that likely to be difficult? I’m used to WFH now and there and so many pros, but still have colleagues in the area and we can go into the office to see each other if we want to, not sure if I’d miss that!

I'm necky and ambitious so I say go for SEO first, can always try HEO if you don't succeed. I came in from the private sector and was G7 within a year.

CS is fantastic for work life balance, I own my diary and work whatever pattern I want (this is department dependent).

@hidetheicicles lots up hubs up north. You might have to be "hybrid" some departments stipulate X days a week but in my experience they've been very lax about that, it's been a lot more flexible than the official line or job offer. Again depends on role.

Definitely go for the SEO. It's a totally different environment from an agency...ethos all around support and training to develop any areas where you might need development.

This all makes me feel so excited! I’ve seen some depts have hubs local to me (eg DWP have offices or job centres nearby where I could choose to be based) but others (eg FSA) they are advertising the option for hybrid working or being fully home based.

I think this is my last question but I have a 12 week notice period, is that likely to be very off putting to them?

Nope. You'll be lucky to have cleared all the references etc in 12 weeks 🙈

Great to work for but the wheels can turn slowly

DWP is the one department I'd be a bit more weary of OP, highly operational, I've heard management can be a bit tyrannical and less flexible. Just hear say on my part, maybe someone with DWP experience will come along.

@Redwinestillfine okay makes sense, that’s another huge relief!

Just a heads up as well that a few departments have recruitment freezes at the moment due to business planning so there may be more variety of roles when they are lifted (not sure when).

I work in HR in the cs and so far I’m really enjoying it. Very family friendly policies, good pension, good maternity benefits, and encourage work/life balance. I joined not long after maternity, and the start of my employment coincided with nursery bugs. I found the cs to be supportive in a way that I knew my previous employer wouldn’t have been. Like others have said, the cs can be very hierarchical. In my experience of recruiting, many people coming into my area have 3 month notice periods, and it’s not an issue - some senior roles can be 6 months!

Hi OP, as part of the levelling up agenda, there have been loads of "hubs" opened, or due to be opened in the north. For example, HMT in Darlington, HMRC in Newcastle, BEIS in Salford, DIT in Leeds, Cabinet Office and Defra in York. All of these will be listed in the job ads. So depending on where you are based, you might have a big hub near you. Our dept is generally agreeing full requests but with an agreement on when that person will come into the office eg. One day a week / fortnight / month. So all quite transparent.

FWIW, i joined the CS as a direct entry HEO 8 years ago and am now a G6. There was a 3yr recruitment freeze within that period - ive gone from SEO to G6 in 4years. So it is possible to be promoted very quickly if you get the skills and experience under your belt.

Oh yes definitely go for it at SEO level. But do look around the Internet for tips on how to fill in the application form and then on interview techniques. It's a very tick box process and you really do need to follow it. There are previous MN threads that are v helpful as well.

There is a review of civil service comms at the moment but don't let that put you off. Worth a look here: communication-plan.gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/our-purpose-and-vision/

Definitely go for the SEO level. I am G6 and joined as G6 too. You don't necessarily have to work your way up through the civil service ranks. Your experience within an agency will be super relevant.

Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of the civil service. Even at CEO equivalent level people are part time or work compressed patterns. That doesn't mean people don't work hard though.

3 months' notice is pretty standard these days too so don't worry about that.

Good luck!

I will back up what @friskybivalves said about the interview process. Very specific, example based answers will be needed using the STARR approach most likely. Make sure you mention buzz words from the spec and competencies in your answers.

Howdy, I work in the CS and I would say to apply for both, if you get through the initial sift based on your behaviours (use the STAR format) then you book your interview slot yourself and could choose the HEO one first so you get a better idea of what the interview will entail before you do the SEO one, it would be fine to be offered both and then turn down the one you dont want too (I have done that before, it just then gets offered to the top person on the reserve list). Send me a DM if you want to discuss the interview or anything about working in the CS further.