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.

@booklist yeah that seems a long time to wait, worth you chasing up I think. I think (but my memories a bit rubbish these days) that I was told in the ID verification appointment that it would take about 2 weeks for that all to be confirmed and then I'd receive the Security vetting form. It actually only took a week though, between my ID interview and me getting the Security check form.

@WineWithAView - you mentioned you have your own business. Did the HO have a problem with you working and maintaining this business (I assume you are)?

Also, you need to go through all pre employment checks before they discuss working patterns?

@Seekinginfolady yes I'm still running the business. They just emailed me to ask if I'd closed it and if not, what was the business. I only gave a brief description of it and it was fine. My guess is, they just want to check for conflict of interest.

And yes, after being sent my provisional offer I asked if that role would allow part time hours, and I was told they couldn't discuss working patterns/hours until I had a start date. I don't know if that would be the case for all HO jobs. Frustrating though, because I'm now not sure I'll be able to take the job. And I withdrew from another interview a few weeks ago. Now regret that.

I have heard that HO are very flexible and open to offering part time hours so hopefully you will be OK. What hours do you plan to ask for @WineWithAView

Same thing happened to me. They didn't send any, then ranted I didn't fill it. I explained I didn't get it, theysent it again, all worked fine in the end.

It depends on what role you were recruited for. Mine mandated I go through 3 months of full time training, and couldn't go part-time till I passed probation (6 months). On the other hand, I had flexi-hours from the getgo and the only hours I had to do every day was 10:00 to 15:00. But other roles require different patterns.

Thank you for this information. Three months seems like an awfully long period of full time training. Would you be able to divulge what department of Civil Service this is and what type of role?

Hello all, is anybody through to preemployment checks and requested to book an ID verification appointment? If so, did you manage to get this appointment?

Grateful if anyone can share what the process is. Once we have submitted our ID and had an ID video appointment, what happens next? Just references or do we need to complete more forms etc? Thank you.

I uploaded my passport so I didn’t need to do the in person verification. Provided all my onboarding info today

Thanks @savethewales . I uploaded my passport too so I'm confused why I need to do this. I also recall showing my passport in the video interview.

I showed my passport in interview and uploaded all online and have also been invited for 2nd interview to verify identity. I have mine booked and it is only a 10 minute slot I think.

Thank you for responding. Hope the onboarding process goes smoothly for you.

Hi @WineWithAView, just wondering if you went ahead with the Home Office role? If so, have you started/got a start date yet? Just wondering how long the time is likely to be between my security clearance coming through and starting the post.

I emailed to ask about not having received the security vetting form yet, but they replied to say that they are still in the pre-employment checks phase and once this is complete they will send me the form. So I am still waiting to even receive that, and I assume once I've completed it it could take at least another month or more for it to be processed, and then however long after that to get a start date.

I have been offered another job this morning in another public sector organisation. I had been put on a reserve list after interview in November and it would be an immediate start after my notice period in my current job. I'm not sure what to do as I have accepted a provisional offer for the HO role, but I am not enjoying my current job and really want to leave. The job offer I received this morning has a lower salary than the HO position but could be interesting. I'm wondering if it could be worth accepting this morning's offer in the meantime and whenever the HO get through all their processes and offer me a start date, resign from this morning's job? Hence my question about the time between receiving security clearance and starting at the Home Office! Thinking it could be another few months before I start there anyway...

Hi @booklist, I received an email early March suggesting a start date in mid-April. THEN hours were discussed, and now the start date has been put back to May, but my hours haven't been confirmed yet and I'm not sure they'll agree to them.

So, in light of my experience...I would suggest that you accept the other job. Congratulations by the way.

My security clearance took less time than most it seems, and then it was over a week between the clearance coming through and me hearing about a start date. Start date was 6 weeks away, but now pushed back another two weeks. I've also read of people's security vetting taking much much longer...so yeah, you're right, you're probably months away from a start date with the HO. Good luck with it all.

Which level of vetting do you need @booklist ? When I interviewed recently, I was told the level I needed ('security check') was currently taking 3-6 months.

Thanks @WineWithAView, that's really helpful. It's crazy that it all takes so long isn't it?! Good luck to you too, I hope you can come to arrangement re hours that work for both you and the Home Office.

I do feel a bit bad to consider accepting another job in the meantime, intending to potentially leave after a short period, but I would really like some new experience and challenges. Plus it would be a salary increase compared to my current job (and then again with the Home Office job) and I'm saving for a house!

@GlorifiedChair I think it's the CTC clearance I need... is that a slightly lower level one? 6 months seems a very long time!

Hello all, I was wondering if anybody could share how long it took to receive the security vetting questionnaire after showing ID online to an interviewer? Thank you.

@Seekinginfolady i had my id verification meeting on Friday 17th March and then I was emailed an additional security form on the following Wednesday. I filled this in and sent it straight away then I received the link to the online security vetting portal on Thursday. I’ve completed the questionnaire and was told my the vacancy holder that it’s taking 37 calendar days on average for the security clearance to be completed.

Hi, I’m having a video interview with the Home Office customer services group, operational delivery for an administrative officer role. Ive been working for the same company for 14 years so haven’t had an interview for a long time!! If anyone can give me any advice/tips I would really appreciate it. I’m very nervous and anxious about it.
tia x

Hello,
I will be having HO EO video interview next month;strengths based and behaviour questions.
Please can you help?