DWP SEO Interview Questions

[Jla1987]

Hi,

Has anyone recently interviewed for a HEO position within DWP?

I am curious as to the number of questions to expect in the interview. I understand that the interview will be a blend of competency questions and strength based questions but looking for some further insight?

Ideally how many questions in total?
Did they ask more of one type than the other?
Was there a question relating to each of the 4 behaviours listed in the advert?

I am just super nervous and hoping to calm myself by knowing a little bit more of what to expect.

Thank You!

I am a G7 at DWP. When I have interviewed SEOs the pattern has been as followed:-
1 warm up question - not scored
4 competency/behaviour questions - scored - competencies will be those as listed in the advert
1 warm up strength question (this is not scored but is the baseline against which the other strength questions are scored)
2 strength questions

@Vickivicks thank you so much for your reply. Would the competency questions typically be one per behaviour?

I have one example prepped for each so far and I have had a good think about SB ones too.

I don’t want to prep too much because the more points I try to remember, the more I will forget lol but I equally don’t want to have too few because I get quite forgetful in an interview setting and worry that I might go blank if trying to think on the spot.

Yes it will only ever be one example per competency but I would advise if possible having two examples in case the question is worded slightly differently and so what you had prepped doesn't quite fit.
Look at the Civil Service behaviour profiles to check your examples generally cover the points to include.
You are not supposed to be able to prep for strength based and there are not supposed to be any right or wrong answers.
I assume you will be video interview so don't be afraid to have notes. I have a second screen with my notes on. Just make sure you answer the question. I have seen too many interviews where people answer the question they were expecting to hear rather than the one being asked and stick to the STAR approach.

@Vickivicks the interview is face to face. I only practiced some SB ones to get myself thinking as opposed to actually having answers ready, if that makes sense?

Since having my little one I have total brain fog sometimes, and that’s leading me to be more stressed than I would usually be. My skills and experience match the advert so well but I’ve lost a bit of confidence in myself and my ability to deliver in an interview setting.

The 4 answers I have prepared hit every point in the listed behaviours. I’ll prepare a couple more just incase. I have a few more days to prepare.

Thanks for your advice 🙂

Would you be able to offer some mock behaviour questions? Even in a DM for HEO. Just so I can challenge myself a bit more. If you aren’t able to it’s no problem.

Thanks Again!

I am in finance and have only interviewed for finance roles so I wouldn't know what is asked in more generalist roles although the principles of meeting the areas required per the competency framework apply for all jobs.
The clues are often in the job description for example if the job description mentions working with a variety of stakeholders then the communicating and influencing competency will almost definitely ask you to describe a time when you have worked with a variety of stakeholders and different communication methods you may have used.
Interviews are sadly something that some people are brilliant at and others struggle with and don't always reflect on your ability to do the job. Hopefully it will go really well but if it doesn't take any feedback you get and learn from it. Some jobs have a lot of applicants, some don't so it really can be luck of the draw.
Hope all goes well

@Vickivicks great advice and nicely put. Fingers crossed it all goes well 🙂

The interviewer will want to know YOUR impact, no ‘we’. Stats are also good to include. Talk about the ‘so what?‘- if you did not do this work then what would happen?
for HEO level- 6-7 minutes straight speaking per behaviour and no more than 2 minutes for each strength. At least 80% of your speaking time for the behaviours needs to be focused on the Action and Result.

@MoonlightMuse are you an interviewer for HEO positions? If so, how do you feel about candidates who bring notes for reference?

Notes are absolutely fine but not reading word for word. You won’t lose marks for it but if you focus on a page of writing then you’ll probably miss the point of the question.

@MoonlightMuse yeah just for reference. I’d prefer not to take any in with me but prepping some incase I'm particularly nervous and need some key words to keep me straight.

As an interviewer I have no issue at all with notes but don't read verbatim. Also helpful to take a moment to write down the question and reflect before answering.

One great tip I was given make up a high level one pager with a table setting out key words as prompts for each behaviour as well as note on impact.

Another tip don't have answers which are too smooth good to raise if any challenges and issues and also nice to also reflect and say what you might do differently next time. Google STARR

Have you had your interview, yet? Of so, how did it go?

What have you applied for?

I've got one for SEO level soon, need to prepare a presentation too!