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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:
Original poster
ChiChiUg · 26/08/2022 18:09

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)

I only gave pre thought examples to validate my answers. For example are you a team player? My answer yes I love working in a team as this promotes healthy working environment and helps me to improve on my interpersonal skills and so on .... and I then go on to give an example of when I achieved my goal working in a team using a STAR method

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Tryingmyb3st · 26/08/2022 18:09

I know this isn't helpful right now but next time look at the civil service behaviour and strength dictionaries online (if you didnt already do so). They give you the language to get into the interview. So, for example, if you're being assessed on managing a quality service, you know your answer has to follow STAR but also include the key phrases (focus, preventer, organised...there are more).
As PP has said, set up the scenario and say what you did (I led, I organised, I set, I evaluated...). Don't forget evaluation-was it the right action/would you do anything differently?
Is it possible you over-prepped and lost clarity because you were pulling from other examples? I 'm guilty of this too. Make sure you have 1-2 in depth scenarios prepped for each competency you're going to be asked about-that's honestly enough.
It's a numbers game and you will get there!!

Caroffee · 26/08/2022 19:54

The interviewers do influence the result so it is subjective to an extent.

Original poster
ChiChiUg · 27/08/2022 17:18

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.

Hi, I wouldn't mind having a chat. I just want to know the areas I should probably improve on. My five year old daughter saw me crying yesterday and said mum don't worry you will do better next time. And that was the encouragement that got me going lol.

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