Civil service - two week wait

[NoTvNoWifi]

Hi all. I have been trawling online looking for answers - that probably don’t exist but I’ll try anyway! I had a CS interview two weeks ago tomorrow. It was the third stage (SEO) and I felt it went well - not like me as I’m hard on myself. I haven’t heard a peep and the wait is tortuous. They said they were interviewing for two more days after me and I would be informed by HR email. My question is … should I extinguish all hope? Realistically would they not have informed the successful candidates by now? There were a few posts but not more than five afaik. I’m trying to pretend I don’t care - even to myself - but I want to draw a line under it. Help please! I went for a HEO one in May and am second reserve so it has been a long couple of gruelling months.

I started in February, 2022, job was offered in September 2021, from memory my security checks took about 3 weeks but we were fast tracked, initially was told to expect them to take 6-8. I was paranoid that wouldn't pass them, interestingly neither of my referees were contacted either.

Lots of very interesting cases. Comforted to hear I am not alone in feeling anxious about the outcome of the checks despite being a law-abiding citizen! It’s just a weird limbo as I have gone from being delighted I had successfully jumped through hoops to get the job to the realisation that it might be plucked from me - and also losing the daydream of handing in my notice to a difficult boss:)

This could very easily become my own timescale - also match with the paranoia

😂😂 It will all be fine im sure.....and the wait is worth it when you gleefully resign !

It’s me again! A question for anyone with CTC clearance knowledge. I still don’t have my clearance and management have said they are happy to wait until the end of September for it to come through. After that I don’t know if the offer will be maintained. I have a friend who is starting similar role conditionally pending clearance and I am becoming more inclined to do so. However! I would be leaving an excellent highly competitive (and toxic) job to do so and really fear ending up unemployed if my CTC clears. It is tortuous feeling like I have one foot out the door. I have daydreamed for so long about handing in my notice. Any ideas anyone? Thank you thank you thank you :)

No one here will be able to tell you. www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-contact-us

Thanks @poster82 I have trawled all online resources, chased up with vetters and spoken to staff within same are. I suppose just looking for opinions on how often people fail this clearance and what managers might think about starting without it being completed. Maybe I am looking for the unanswerable

How long has it been? You could ask if they will take you on at risk.

@poster82 it has been 10 weeks and they want me to start at risk. The other recruits are doing so. That’s my issue actually as I am reluctant to leave a stable job that was a tough competition to get for a conditional offer, albeit a step up. I’m an external candidate r

My thoughts would be of you have a simple family history, ie born the UK, never lived abroad and a stable employment history, no criminal record then you have no worries about passing the clearance check.
Personally I would take the chance, but thats easy for me to say!

@Ilikewinter thanks that’s exactly what I’m wondering. I’m as clean as a whistle as are my nearest and dearest. my dh is self employed and has had a couple of companies dissolved over past 20 years due to big hits of recession etc I’m totally paranoid that makes him and / or I look unreliable even though he is the most upstanding citizen. My imagination is In Overdrive with this one as it’s a dream job within grasp! Thanks for answering

Honestly for your dream job I would go for it......I really don't think you have anything to worry about 😊

I have spent 5 years in a Department where all staff require CTC clearance. I've never heard of anyone failing clearance, nobody has ever mentioned a new starter not getting through etc, and we definitely have a standard expectation of staff usually/often starting with only baseline clearance.

I'm not in a role where I'd have full sight of that, so I'm talking about an absence of gossip rather than definitive knowledge. But I would encourage you to go for it (and also completely understand your sensible caution)!

@dandelionthistle thanks for your input. More inclined as the days go on and I hear others’ views to take the plunge!