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Original poster

Any Civil Service appliers or recruiters?

227 replies

Lightninginabox · 23/02/2023 15:40

Trying desperately to get into Civil Service.

Am 45 - do you think there's ageism in hiring externals?

I have a lot of G6/7 type experience but earlier in my career. I am more than happy to start from scratch again in the departments that are in my area (Belfast) but I wonder am I flunking the interview?

I have done about 12-15 applications, getting up to 6s and 7s in application forms and have had three interviews, two turned down and one I think will be turned down as they shouldn't have posted it as available for Belfast, and one awful press/ministerial briefing in which I got a 4.

Any interview advice?

OP posts:
smooththecat · 28/02/2023 14:41

Isn’t it a bit shit that we have to think about ageism when, late 40s/early 50s many of us still have another 20 years to work (unfortunately), that is if we can ever retire?

mrsbyers · 28/02/2023 14:45

I joined at 47 as a G7 but I do see a lot of much younger people coming in on similar grades

ItWillBeDone · 28/02/2023 20:54

Lightninginabox · 28/02/2023 12:51

I mean I know you’re right in theory but I just sort of feel like if I’m not even getting HEO offers (or indeed EO) would I be likely to get Grade 7/6?

Show quote history

You've got to be in it to win it. Good luck!

Original poster
Lightninginabox · 28/02/2023 20:57

Thank you! If I see a G7 I will think of you and apply!

OP posts:
Original poster
Lightninginabox · 28/02/2023 20:59

smooththecat · 28/02/2023 14:41

Isn’t it a bit shit that we have to think about ageism when, late 40s/early 50s many of us still have another 20 years to work (unfortunately), that is if we can ever retire?

It is absolutely unbelievably shit and it sort of knocked me for six in my old industry. I freelance in it and hadn’t really thought it would be an issue getting a permanent job in-house again but yip. I have probably 23 years left to work!!

OP posts:
GlorifiedChair · 02/03/2023 10:52

I've done my interview! The people interviewing me were so lovely and chatty - probably one of the nicest interview experiences I've ever had. No idea how I've done points-wise, but I felt as though I had good relevant work experiences to answer each question with and I tried hard to stick to the STAR format! It definitely feels like valuable interview experience either way. I was told I'll hear the outcome in 2-3 weeks, so fingers crossed please everyone!

Lilifer · 03/03/2023 20:38

Lightninginabox · 27/02/2023 12:25

Right, three more applications in! Two more to go! My head is fried.

Hi there
I'm 53 and just gotten a job with civil service, also based in Belfast and I got it via British civil service ad. It's EO grade which I'm happy about as have been on career break for 16 years. I know what you mean about the applications, I did loads of them, all those personal statements, egs if behavioural strengths etc it was soooo time consuming but worth it in the end. I got some rejections but ended up getting the right job for my own original qualification and training so worked out for the best in the end.
Best of Luck and in my experience there is definitely no ageism. Feel free to pm me if you want any further info 🙌🏻

Zanatdy · 05/03/2023 20:52

Definitely no ageism. I work for the CS and interview many people and you’re not even old! I’d expect most G6/7 candidates to be older anyway. I guess you need to firstly ensure you fully understand the way the success profiles recruitment works, and secondly ensure your examples have enough depth and hit all the indicators on the behaviour list as that’s how it’s scored. Good luck

PaniniHead · 05/03/2023 20:56

How long are you speaking for? If you’re just rattling off 250 words then that isn’t enough. HEO you should be speaking for about 2 sides of A4 focusing on the A and R part of the STAR method.

Hawkins003 · 05/03/2023 20:58

Lightninginabox · 23/02/2023 15:40

Trying desperately to get into Civil Service.

Am 45 - do you think there's ageism in hiring externals?

I have a lot of G6/7 type experience but earlier in my career. I am more than happy to start from scratch again in the departments that are in my area (Belfast) but I wonder am I flunking the interview?

I have done about 12-15 applications, getting up to 6s and 7s in application forms and have had three interviews, two turned down and one I think will be turned down as they shouldn't have posted it as available for Belfast, and one awful press/ministerial briefing in which I got a 4.

Any interview advice?

This being tea at five and tea at six ?

motherofkevinnotperry · 05/03/2023 21:01

Always aim your competencies at the level above the one you're applying for and be certain you stick to the star format. Don't just describe your job. Competition is tough. Best of luck

spacechimp79 · 05/03/2023 21:37

Gosh isn't it ridiculous how much time is spent on these applications and then on the recruitment itself. What a massive waste of money!
It's just like the NHS. Couldn't they create a system whereby you interview for a particular grade but even if you don't get that particular job, you have passed the interview and therefore don't have to reinterview if another job comes up at the same grade. It could expire after a year maybe?
Anyway good luck op! I have gone through phases of applying for CS jobs but sadly no luck yet.

ItWillBeDone · 05/03/2023 22:12

spacechimp79 · 05/03/2023 21:37

Gosh isn't it ridiculous how much time is spent on these applications and then on the recruitment itself. What a massive waste of money!
It's just like the NHS. Couldn't they create a system whereby you interview for a particular grade but even if you don't get that particular job, you have passed the interview and therefore don't have to reinterview if another job comes up at the same grade. It could expire after a year maybe?
Anyway good luck op! I have gone through phases of applying for CS jobs but sadly no luck yet.

They do operate a reserve list. If you meet the criteria in interview but someone else scores more, you'll be placed on a reserve list for a certain amount of time. I know of one person who was recruited into a role having been put on a reserve list. (Only know of one person who's been on a reserve list too.)

spacechimp79 · 05/03/2023 22:32

Yes. Bizarrely I am on a reserve list and have been since June last year. I mean more in general, not just for one specific job, but obviously the same grade. I just think it is a massive waste of time and money for there to be people sifting through cv's and reading personal statements just looking for buzz words. I bet it would be shocking to know how much they spend on this every year.

CairParavel · 05/03/2023 22:38

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Lemondrizzle20 · 05/03/2023 22:49

I've been put off trying to get back into the civil service after recently applying for a specialist post for which I'm more than qualified and not even getting to interview stage, presumably because I didn't use the right formula in my answers. The NHS is absolutely bonkers and the trac system is the work of the devil but there's generally a bit more flexibility about how you phrase your answers. And yes, it's all values based now after years of being competency based, but the keywords and phrases they want you to trot out as if you're on Family Fortunes are usually there in the job and and person spec, not a whole different website...

I did joke with a friend a few years ago that CS recruitment had changed so much I'd never get my own old job these days - evidently I was right!! I honestly cannot be bothered to try again, the CS must bin so many good candidates at the sifting stage because of their approach. I've come to the conclusion I'd find it very hard to work for such a rigid organisation.

The job description for the post I applied for recently was also removed from the agency website as soon as the closing date had gone and mysteriously never even appeared on either civil service jobs or the particular agency's site...

Lemondrizzle20 · 05/03/2023 22:52

Just clarifying it was removed from the recruitment agency's website, not the actual civil service department website, where it was never listed in the first place....

Original poster
Lightninginabox · 06/03/2023 12:21

Hawkins003 · 05/03/2023 20:58

This being tea at five and tea at six ?

Show quote history

What does this message mean?

OP posts:
Hawkins003 · 06/03/2023 23:41

Lightninginabox · 06/03/2023 12:21

What does this message mean?

Show quote history

Civil service = section 5 or section 6,

Or a different branch of the civil service ?

GlorifiedChair · 07/03/2023 14:59

Well I didn't get the job I interviewed for, but I am on the reserve list. I got two 4s, a 5 and a 6 so not too bad for a first CS interview attempt, but definitely room for improvement!

Original poster
Lightninginabox · 07/03/2023 16:01

@Hawkins003 Maybe a different branch of the civil service? I haven’t heard any section 5 or 6.

OP posts:
Hawkins003 · 07/03/2023 19:07

Lightninginabox · 07/03/2023 16:01

@Hawkins003 Maybe a different branch of the civil service? I haven’t heard any section 5 or 6.

Quite, possible all the best

MabelMoo23 · 07/03/2023 20:13

GlorifiedChair · 07/03/2023 14:59

Well I didn't get the job I interviewed for, but I am on the reserve list. I got two 4s, a 5 and a 6 so not too bad for a first CS interview attempt, but definitely room for improvement!

Those scores are really impressive for someone giving a first bash at CS recruitment!! You should be really chuffed with those scores.

Infracat · 07/03/2023 22:59

Do you mind me asking what questions they asked at interview?

StatsNerd · 08/03/2023 08:52

I am 40 and have my first CS interview on Tuesday. Very nervous so would be great to hear any potential questions!