Civil service EO Home Office

[savethewales]

Hi,

I applied and interviewed for a job within the Civil Service at the start of November.
Checked the portal on the off chance yesterday and it’s updated from ‘interview slot booked’ to ‘application being reviewed’ with my interview scores now available.
Any idea how long it takes to get a yes/no from that point?
Scored a 4 and two 5’s on the behaviour questions and three 4’s on the strength questions.

Just got an interview!

It's on these things:

Behaviours:

Delivering at Pace
Managing a quality service

Technical:

Ideas
Implementation

You will also be asked strength based questions.

If anyone has any advice on the CS interview process in general (I don't get the ID stuff- do you just bring it and wave it at them over zoom?) I'd be very grateful.

The only way to pass the interview is to familiarise yourself with civil service behaviours and how they are structured for the specific grade you're applying to. You will be asked about 5 behaviour- and 2 strength-based questions.

They start with strengths usually. They will tell you that the first question is just an icebreaker and they won't grade it. Although it's technically true, they will use it to benchmark your energy level and gauge your interest level for that job that way.

Here are the behaviours:
CS behaviours

Hear are the strengths:
CS Strengths

Read the job description and prepare 5 examples that fit the behaviours they are after for your grade.

Good luck!

I didn't get the job @lillysmom ! I had two behaviours and two technicals and two strengths, scored 6 & 4 on behaviours, 3 & 4 on technical and 8 across two strengths. The 3 wasn't accceptable.

But I have another interview in two weeks and its four behaviours (even though a more technical job?) so am chalking it up to experience!

Hi OP, I wonder if you have heard from the CS on your application? I've seen a role online but looking at the timelines, I'm not sure it's something that makes sense if the wait is this long. If you have heard, I hope it was good news! If you haven't, good luck!

Hello,

They’ve popped everyone who passed the interview on a reserve list until the third tranche get their interview scores back. It’s been 3 months since the advert closed and no further forward. Ludicrous.

I am an AO in the CS and have applied for a variety of CS jobs and it is a minefield yes..it's all about how you word things on the personal statement if one is required, making sure you are meeting the behaviours..I have just applied for a EO post but even with help I still don't think my application is strong enough..hope you hear soon op.

I feel frustrated on behalf of all of you....the thing is which ever departments you have applied for will be crying out for people to start. When I applied I had several applications on going - I think I need several attempts at passing the online tests / application forms and interview techniques. I'd just say please dont give up 🤞🤞

The gov.uk website has information on the success profiles for CS jobs which is good to refer to when applying for roles.

Just a little update…still no update. It’s starting to get laughable now really.

I’ve got other applications in but it’s so time consuming applying with the civil service to meet their criteria!

Is it normal for the Civil Service / Home Office to take over 2 months to get back to you about your interview results? I had an online interview for an EO position in mid December (The last tranche of the Home office big recruitment campaign) and have heard nothing since. Anyone with any ballpark on when I could expect to hear back?

@Tinglelimpa Yes it’s very normal! However you can e-mail the recruiting team for an update.

I interviewed mid November for the same campaign and have been placed on the reserve list since. As far as I can tell this is their plan until all interviews are marked and then appointing from reserve list.
I emailed recruitment and was advised that the vacancy holder still hasn’t figured out how many posts they have to fill…

It's a bit concerning that they don't know how many vacancies they need to fill, I guess this just how the CS works? How long did it take them to get back to you after your interview?

Hello, I had an interview back on 22 December for the same recruitment campaign and have heard nothing back. Has been awaiting interview results since 19/01/23 so i wonder if thats when the final tranche interviews finished? Getting tired of waiting. Emailed chasing an update and was just told they do not have the results yet and do not know when hey will have them.

silver lining for you at least is you know your interview scores! I'm not sure if I'm still waiting to find out if I got straight 1's!

I suppose but I’ve also been on the reserve list for 2 months so lost out on 2 months of a job potentially becoming available.
it’s a complete shit show, I don’t know how they’re able to get away with it.

I’m getting a bit angry about these “behaviours” - I read on another thread about companies who will write them for you. Surely they will just be recruiting those “in the know” and missing good candidates who don’t know the secret rules.

@ThighMistress behaviours aren't much different to competencies. They are all published online and require STAR responses, it's not a secret code!

@ThighMistress they are all online - no secrets. It might be time-consuming to prepare your examples following what they expect but, if you do, you have far higher chances to succeed.

@Sparklingblah just focus on the technical part then, and re-use the behavioural examples if the second job you applied for requires the same behaviours. Good luck!

It's good preparation for the constant waiting on others if you get through. They'll be working out the top candidates Vs vacancies and deciding if they need a reserve list.

I can't believe you still haven't been given an answer. I wonder if many people would even accept if they were offered it after so long? Surely they would have found something else in that time? I suppose internal candidates could move across easier.

i believe that offers will be going out soon, March I was told. It is frustrating but if you get an offer you’re looking at 6 months plus security clearance time. Nothing moves fast in the civil service I’m afraid

There’s nothing secret about it. All the info is online and YouTube has lots of videos on about civil service interviews. People who know someone there obviously have a bit of help if their friend talks them through it but everything is available online. Yes some people don’t write their own, it usually shows during interviews. I’ve interviewed a fair few who scored high on behaviours and then done terrible at interview.