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Original poster

Failed my Civil Service Interview

29 replies

ChiChiUg · 26/08/2022 16:47

"Good behaviour would have scored higher in strengths with less generalized answers". I am very sad right now and literally in tears. Don't know what to make out of the above feedback. All the scenarios I used were mine. Invested so much time preparing for this EO role for immigration. Gave up to 10 examples from my personal experience because I prepared possible questions and answers. This is really painful for me. I am not trying to be fussy. Failed my 1st interview because I was under prepared. Started preparing for this interview even before I was shortlisted. How are my personal answers generalized. Never felt so bad about an interview. This really hurts. And the interviewers gave me the impression that I was doing well up to the point that it became distracting to me

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 26/08/2022 16:56

It sounds like your examples were too obvious, too generic.

Even if it was your own experience it could have been a really standard experience

Bearyhumcrack · 26/08/2022 16:59

What do you mean ten examples? What were the behaviours?

Ilikewinter · 26/08/2022 17:03

Was this a face to face interview, campaigns are generally being done on line with pre recorded questions?.

They are getting hundreds of applications per posting so your answers could have been fine....but just not as detailed as other candidates.

There is definately a knack to getting through them, dont get disheartened, id take the feedback and try and action it for next time.

MissyB1 · 26/08/2022 17:15

Honestly you were probably fine - but they had to find a reason.

Original poster
ChiChiUg · 26/08/2022 17:16

This was face to face interview for immigration officers. I guess because the criteria says you must be physically fit. The strength questions asked were more than 10. Then one question communicating and influencing which I scored a 5. How can my personal experience during my MSc or working in the bank be generic. Something I experienced but then added a few bits here and there to portray the behaviours expected. The same examples that scored me 5 on my SOS is now generic. If I was told that they had better scoring candidates that would have sat better with me. But with this feedback how do I then improve. This is not the end of the world but didn't expect it to hurt this bad.

OP posts:
Arcadia · 26/08/2022 17:17

I had a similar very disheartening experience trying to become a Judge, have failed three times. I just don't have the knack. So can't help you but I sympathise!

SheWoreYellow · 26/08/2022 17:17

Maybe it meant you described your examples in too general terms?

Caroffee · 26/08/2022 17:21

Did you use the STAR technique to write your answers? Civil service are big on this. Stops answers being too general. You can apply again.

YorkshireIndie · 26/08/2022 17:22

Just wanted to say I hate strength questions and I work for the CS

Hidingawaytoday · 26/08/2022 17:25

How many behaviours did they ask you about and how many examples did you give per behaviour? If you tried to fit in more than one it could be you didn't go into enough detail. As PP asked, did you use the STAR technique?

Original poster
ChiChiUg · 26/08/2022 17:27

Yes, I did use STAR, watched videos on how to structure your answers. Read the job description and CS behaviour for EO. Dont know what else I should have done. Answered all the questions with examples. The interviewer at one point mentioned that I don't have to finish the two minutes allocated to each question that some tmes we don't really know how much we say in a short time. I am quite open to constructive criticism.

OP posts:
Hidingawaytoday · 26/08/2022 17:28

Also, if you have their details why not email them and ask for a call to discuss it in more detail? I've interviewed for a few roles in the CS (not immigration though and not in the last year so I didn't turn you down!) and would happily chat through it a bit more.

Hidingawaytoday · 26/08/2022 17:29

Hidingawaytoday · 26/08/2022 17:28

Also, if you have their details why not email them and ask for a call to discuss it in more detail? I've interviewed for a few roles in the CS (not immigration though and not in the last year so I didn't turn you down!) and would happily chat through it a bit more.

Sorry that should be I've interviewed people for CS roles (though I have had a fair few interviews when moving around as well!)

Seemslikeaniceday · 26/08/2022 17:31

It is the technique rather than your experience. How did you word your answers?

You need lots of “I” did and show what you did on one particular occasion e.g. “I needed to ensure my team was made aware of a change to the booking in process. I reviewed the booking in process to understand the impact of the changes and how my team could implement them. I then called a team meeting and explained the change and why we needed to process booking in, in a different way. Two team members were vocal that the change was not necessary so I gave them time to explain their point of view etc. …”

Original poster
ChiChiUg · 26/08/2022 17:31

I will get over this in a few days. Just that when one has had several rejections and disappointments from every facet of life. You are then looking for that little light to brighten your life.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChiChiUg · 26/08/2022 17:35

If I didn't structure my answers properly, I wouldn't have scored a 5 in Communicating and influencing which showed a good demonstration.

OP posts:
MrsJackRackham · 26/08/2022 17:36

Was a specific situation or did you give a job description? You have to use something that actually happened and not what you would do. It's also always better to use an example where you had to use your initiative and not just followed guidance. Eg, if 5 people were in this situation would they all do the same thing because of guidance restrictions?
What was the competency you were told was too general?

DemiBourbon · 26/08/2022 17:45

I’ve had 2 interviews with CS, both at EO level, both within Visas & Immigration. Used exactly the same examples in the same depth for both. Got one job with high marks at interview, failed horrifically with the other one.

I genuinely think that it’s down to the individual interviewer’s expectations of candidates, some being much tougher than others.

Try not to let it upset you, it won’t be personal.

grumpytoddler1 · 26/08/2022 17:45

Civil service interviews are so hard, OP. I'd say they're more like an oral exam than an interview. You have to say specific things and tick off specific points, and it's really hard to get it right. Don't be disheartened, it doesn't necessarily mean you aren't a good candidate, just that you haven't got the hang of the interview process yet. Definitely get feedback, and when drafting your answers get hold of the criteria and make sure you say something covering every single point on there (even if you literally say the sentence that is on the criteria).

Original poster
ChiChiUg · 26/08/2022 17:48

DemiBourbon · 26/08/2022 17:45

I’ve had 2 interviews with CS, both at EO level, both within Visas & Immigration. Used exactly the same examples in the same depth for both. Got one job with high marks at interview, failed horrifically with the other one.

I genuinely think that it’s down to the individual interviewer’s expectations of candidates, some being much tougher than others.

Try not to let it upset you, it won’t be personal.

Thank you, I appreciate 🙏. Time heals, I will definitely try again when I am emotionally ready.

OP posts:
grumpytoddler1 · 26/08/2022 17:48

Also, with the strengths questions, the answer is ALWAYS that it's a strength. You could say yes that's something I am good at, or you could say that's not something I'm naturally good at but these are the things I do to make myself better at it, but the answer is NEVER, no I'm not great at that. I learnt that the hard way, tried to make it look like I knew my strengths and weaknesses, and got a shit score.

Wolfcub · 26/08/2022 17:49

That feedback seems to be saying your behaviour examples - like your communicating and influencing ones were fine. But your strength based answers were not as good. You cannot prepare for strengths or give pre thought answers, actually in doing so you won't demonstrate that something is a strength for you. They are looking for your natural response, for your passion and enthusiasm and a demonstration that something really is a skill you possess and not a learned behaviour. From what you've said you might have over prepared for these and given answers that were a bit too scripted and therefore didn't appear natural (we'd class these as learned behaviour and score a 1 or 2)

grumpytoddler1 · 26/08/2022 17:51

DemiBourbon · 26/08/2022 17:45

I’ve had 2 interviews with CS, both at EO level, both within Visas & Immigration. Used exactly the same examples in the same depth for both. Got one job with high marks at interview, failed horrifically with the other one.

I genuinely think that it’s down to the individual interviewer’s expectations of candidates, some being much tougher than others.

Try not to let it upset you, it won’t be personal.

I have had similar, used similar answers in two interviews and got vastly different scores. They have attempted to make the process as objective as possible and avoid getting sued, but they've just made it horrendous.

Novum · 26/08/2022 18:01

To be honest, that's a pretty soul-destroying job. I'd regard this as a sign that you can find something better.

megachilidae · 26/08/2022 18:06

Employment adviser here, also ex civil servant.

A very common mistake with these kind of questions is centring your examples around what your team achieved, rather than what you personally achieved within your team. So if you say “I was part of a groundbreaking team that was at the forefront of… blah blah…” you’ll be marked down, what they want it “I led a team… we achieved only due to this specific idea I had and the action I took.”

Another one is giving too much information and not focusing on the question. Or giving so much information early on that you run out of things to talk about concisely in future questions.

It’s all just practice OP. These kind of interviews are frustratingly formulaic, it’s nonsense really.

Big glass of wine and tomorrow is a new day :)