Civil service applications and neurodiversity - adhd

[Howarewenotthereyet]

I am an existing civil servant and am trying to move roles and ideally grades, after 9 years and 4 roles at my current grade. I do really well in my role and have done in previous roles being consistently marked a top performer.

I last secured a role using the old competency framework with additional specialist skills questions, professional task and CV. I have been applying using success profiles for 1 year. I have yet to secure an interview even at my substantive grade. I put in huge amounts of effort, tailoring the application and CV but seem to get nowhere scoring 2s, 3s, a 4 if lucky. You do not get any feedback on where to improve just the scores. Previously I have been told I need more challenging pieces of work to progress to the next grade but in my current role this is not possible so I am seeking to move to help me progress.

I am neurodiverse with adhd. I am finding the application process hugely overwhelming and starting to think it is just not designed for someone with a brain like mine. Perhaps this is just sour grapes. I am considering looking for professional help with completing the applications.

I really want to succeed so am looking for any advice from people with a neurodiversity on how they approach this process. Thank you.

I am also in the civil service and also have adhd and like you, I cannot get out of my grade.

Frustratingly; I score well in the written elements and then bomb the interview every single time. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve tried.

I agree with you that the civil service style of doing anything actively excludes neuro diversity and it is so frustrating.

I don’t have any solutions unfortunately but solidarity and I hope you get what you want

OP I am also in CS and have lots of experience coaching people through the success profiles job application process. I'd be happy to help you out, send me a PM if I can help.

this thread is timely for me! I’m hoping to work for our local council as the roles are technical enough and hybrid working.

But I find the application process completely daunting! I have adhd and autism. I’ve never worked in the public sector before. It’s so overwhelming.

I have many technical skills such as software development so my inability to apply for a role isn’t reflective of my aptitude (and I’m worried people will think I’m an idiot for struggling)

😔

Some departments now have neurodiverse networks - it might be worth contacting one of them and seeing if there is an ND person in the network at your next grade who could help with interview technique (even if not your own dept but maybe a dept doing work similar in style or theme)

I am NT but have had a number of ND colleagues in my team and FWIW i completely agree that CS performance management and recruitment frameworks are very challenging for ND candidates / staff.

@Doorhandleghost thank you. That would be much appreciated.

This is so very timely as I’ve just today had yet another rejection for the next level up (SEP for me). I have been a HEO for 8 years, having progressed quickly to that grade and now stuck.

I’m not sure if I’m ND but we are sure DS is and it would certainly make a lot of sense for me.

I bomb interviews every time, I can’t answer questions even if I have good examples on paper.

Interested to see the responses. Feel very deflated and like I’m going nowhere at the moment.

*SEO

I'm a senior civil servant working in an area that attracts a lot of ND people. At least three that I know well have work coaches via HR which they really value. I'm sure there are more but I just don't know about them as I rarely go into the office now. Could you ask about this maybe?

@AnotherNC22 thanks for that suggestion. There is a network that I have joined but its very new and just finding its feet. Mainly people thinking they may need a diagnosis.

@pimlicoanna thanks for the suggestion. I looked into work coaches but these offered in my Department.

I have recently had an interview for a leadership development scheme. I did appallingly. All that ran through my head while I was meant to be being my true authentic self is I don't fit here and I'm not the kind of person you are looking for.

I am also deflated @Summersummersun

there are not* offered in my department.