Progression into SCS - hit a ceiling...?

[Robat]

Hi all

I've been in a really frustrating situation for a while now. I've done 3.5 yrs now as a G6 and just can't get an SCS1 job - despite now having a 1:1 ratio of application to interview.

I've done seven SCS1 interviews (many more applications) and ended up on seven reserve lists, all of which expired now. From these reserve lists, I then had two informal interviews where the jobs ended up going to existing SCS.

I'm getting pretty desperate as I absolutely cannot spend another year at G6 - I'm demotivated and my morale is on the floor from the lack of development at the grade.

I've passed every SCS interview (technically) and still getting nowhere. There are very few SCS jobs, competition is absurd and I'm competing with those already at the grade which is so difficult. I've noticed a few things as well:

a) jobs tend to be horrendously stitched up at SCS1; they typically go to those already TP-ed in the role, or people known to the Directors recruiting.

b) I think I've made a strategic mistake of not specialising in one area. I've jumped around departments a lot (6 departments in around 10 years) because I was always advised that was good for development and networking, but those who stayed in one area progressed more quickly than me. I work in policy and legislation and developed some really meaty things (bills, Brexit and Covid policies), but am a generalist and don't specialise in any particular policy area, which seems to be hurting me.

c) I sometimes think that it has something to do with my personality - I'm quite outspoken and independent and I feel people sense that and potentially prefer more 'corporat-ey', cold leadership personas.

Does anyone have any advice? Have you been in a similar position? I've been getting an 'exceed' marking for 3 years now, with super strong feedback so I don't understand what's going on. I think the issue is potentially that I've moved around too much (I tend to do only one job in a department and then go to another department) and never stayed long enough to become someone's 'protege' so to speak. Any thoughts on how to break out of this?

Plus I'm consistently marked 'ready for next grade' on the talent (diamond) scheme or whatever you call it

@Robat one thing to bear in mind is over the years the CS headcount expands and retracts. The last few years have seen a significant expansion - 31/03/2015 Headcount = 418,343 by 31/03/2022 Headcount = 510,080.

If you have not been through a period of retraction, freeze on recruitment etc. it can be a shock to see how much harder it is to get promotions and level transfers.

Not sure what type of Dept you are in, moving to a big dept and consolidating/specialising can be an option as there are more SCS roles. There are always unpopular jobs Depts struggle to recruit to e.g. location, dept etc. identifying and targeting this type of role is one way I have seen people progress quicker than their peers. Yes you can end up in a shitty job but it’s a stepping stone.

All the things you have said about the job market are true. But if the G6 roles you have done are all short-term project roles in 'crisis' roles, I would say that could potentially be what is holding you back. I think given the choice, for a regular DD policy job most directors would ideally want to appoint someone who's demonstrated sustained leadership (for 2 years+) in at least one brief and shown that they can proactively move a policy agenda on over a period of time rather than being excellent at a succession of short-term reactive roles. That doesn't mean you can't do the roles you've interviewed for, but it might mean you feel like too much of a risk because they don't have a clear idea of how you would motivate and lead a team outside of crisis contexts. The other aspect of DD level jobs which you might find less easy demonstrating experience of is the future-oriented, long-timescale thinking component which is

Then there's the question of what you're applying for. You say you've had 'exceed' for the last three years but if the jobs you are applying for aren't similar to your current role then again you're going to feel like a risk. At G6 and G7, most well-rounded good performers can do pretty much any generalist policy job. At DD level, 'fit' and previous experience is much more important. So if you are set on DD jobs, then I would really lean into your strengths and existing experience and only apply to 'crisis' or similarly reactive roles.

If you don't go the DD route now, then it sounds like you need to find a 'regular', non-crisis G6 policy job and expand your range by showing you can thrive in it. If your department has a hiring freeze, go elsewhere. Work out who the best director you know is, and go and work in their directorate irrespective of what the job is. The liklihood is that they will have good DDs, and they will be good at talent-spotting you and helping you transition to SCS if you are a high performer.

ah i posted too soon. What i was trying to say is that the part of DD roles which is about thinking and planning on a long-time scale (both in policy and business planning senses) might be harder to demonstrate if you've done project type roles.

Three G6 roles in three and half years? You might need to adjust your expectations and stay in a role long enough to demonstrate depth, resilience and longer term impact?

How rich is you experience of leading teams/developing colleagues? How good are you at building and enabling high performing teams?