CS interview

[Lulabelle03]

I've just received an invite to interview with Civil Service on Tuesday. It'll be my second CS interview, although different gov dept. I've still to receive feedback for my last but unfortunately not able to get this until after this next interview.

I'm posting here for traffic and have noted some good advice on these forums previously so just hoping I can get a little guidance.

It's a grade 7 post, a newly created role due to new projects which I'd rather not go in to detail on. My questions are:

1. Do you think there is a high level of internal candidates that apply for these posts and that they're more likely to score higher due to internal experience/examples? I know, I know, impossible to say without full scope of role, but it would be good to have at least an idea around amount of competition. I scored 5s across my application if that makes a difference.

1. Bonus question for those at a similar grade within CS: Any tips for swaying it?

1. Lastly, interview attire! A structured dress with matching blazer, nude tights and heels OR, black tapered ankle length trousers woth matching blazer, khaki bodysuit and black loafers?

I don't think we can really help with your actual questions op but make sure you are very familiar with success profiles, how it all works & how they will assess you at interview.

Secondly be very prepared re the criteria for assessment so you know what you need to demonstrate to get a good score.

Thirdly read up as much as you can about the weird strengths questions - the interviewers can't prompt or help you so you need to give them enough that you can demonstrate the strengths they are looking for

Good luck! Worry less about the competition & more about showing them what you can do x

Thank you. You're right. I've been looking over success profiles and have lots of examples prepared for each behaviour they're assessing. I'm clearly overthinking things and already talking myself out of it. Although pay grade is on par with what I earn now in the private sector, I still feel like somehow I'm punching above my weight with being interviewed for this role. Starting to convince myself I'm only being interviewed as my application was good, but others within the service will have more appropriate experience when it really comes down to it.

I can all but try :-)

Impossible to predict the outcome of your interview, however one thing you can be sure of, the CS is scrupulous in how the recruitment panel rates and scores candidates. Consistency, fairness and accuracy in marking, gold standard. If they picked you it's because you met all the prerequisite requirements, just as any internal candidates also attending interview did.