Civil Service Reserve list email

Imposter1212 · 30/04/2024 16:32

I was recruited from a reserve list. I reached out to the hiring manager the same day I was emailed about reserve list. I asked her for feedback. She immediately replied and we arranged a video call. She basically said that I was first on her list and she was checking with other managers for HEO vacancies. About a week later I was sent a job specification from another manager and an invite to a video call. After that i was offered the role. So it happened really quickly for me but I was in contact with the hiring manager.

However, my case is unusual I think. I was on an EO reserve list from last June until I withdraw last month when my checks were completed and hadn't heard anything.

It's frustrating waiting for something that might never come.

Zanatdy · 30/04/2024 16:33

Well we employed plenty of people off the reserve list in the last couple of years. But we are now in a recruitment freeze in my dept (and in quite a few I think) so although we have vacancies we can’t offer them. We exhausted the reserve list a few times so they are used well these days, just depends with the freeze now and what dept I guess

Devilshands · 30/04/2024 16:43

Depends on the department…lots of them are being told to only hire internally ATM and not onboard new staff.

I was on one last year for 12 months - got four other offers from that department via the reserve list but didn’t go for the jobs.

I’m on a reserve list atm for MoD but realistically I doubt I will get offered something I’d want - it’s same ‘area’ so you could end up being offer the most boringly crap job even if it’s the same directorate. Plus my reserve listing has move into archived applications rather than ‘current’
which is weird…but that’s a whole other issue

diamondpeek · 30/04/2024 17:52

I think it's highly likely and definitely worth staying on the list!

tommika · 30/04/2024 17:59

StarTrek1 · 30/04/2024 16:17

I applied for a job in the civil service in November and got an interview in February.

I got an email end of March to say that I had passed the interview but the role was being withdrawn and I’d be put on a reserve list for 6 months.

Today I received an email to remind me I was on the reserve list and to email them if I wasn’t interested in being on the reserve list anymore.

How likely will roles be offered in the next five months? I’ve only seen one or two vacancies in this government department in the past two months.

If you stay on the list you might not get a job offer, but if you do come off the list then you definitely won’t get a job offer

The reserve list is good in that it reduces the steps for you getting an alternative and very much eases the load for managers who want to fill a suitable role.
There are holds/restrictions on recruiting dependant on department but when lifted or filling a role is essential then it can come up

Lemonylemonylemon · 30/04/2024 18:50

tommika · 30/04/2024 17:59

If you stay on the list you might not get a job offer, but if you do come off the list then you definitely won’t get a job offer

The reserve list is good in that it reduces the steps for you getting an alternative and very much eases the load for managers who want to fill a suitable role.
There are holds/restrictions on recruiting dependant on department but when lifted or filling a role is essential then it can come up

Show quote history

Yes, this. You’ve nothing to lose by staying on it!

Original poster

StarTrek1 · 30/04/2024 19:49

diamondpeek · 30/04/2024 17:52

I think it's highly likely and definitely worth staying on the list!

I’m staying but I’m not hopeful as it is only a 6 month waiting list

I was hoping that their email to check if I wanted to be on the list was a sign that they are preparing to go through it?

OP posts:

GoBackToPartyCity · 30/04/2024 22:39

I was put on the reserve list in August and offered a position in October. I’d stay on it if I were you…although it then took 4 months for vetting.

Original poster

StarTrek1 · 30/04/2024 22:48

GoBackToPartyCity · 30/04/2024 22:39

I was put on the reserve list in August and offered a position in October. I’d stay on it if I were you…although it then took 4 months for vetting.

Thanks for sharing this! The government department I have applied to is a huge organisation but hasn’t posted vacancies for around two months now - so it seems like a recruitment feeeze.

OP posts:

Hellothereitisme · 30/04/2024 23:14

Hi,

I have also recieved an email saying the same thing today for two posts that I'm on the reserve list for (same government department). The government department has barely posted any jobs in the last few months. I don't have any answers but I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that it means they might be recruiting again. Good luck and let us know if you hear anything!

Original poster

StarTrek1 · 30/04/2024 23:22

Hellothereitisme · 30/04/2024 23:14

Hi,

I have also recieved an email saying the same thing today for two posts that I'm on the reserve list for (same government department). The government department has barely posted any jobs in the last few months. I don't have any answers but I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that it means they might be recruiting again. Good luck and let us know if you hear anything!

Good luck!! There are a couple of major CS
places that have basically stop putting out vacancies.

Another major department I applied for in January had had my application stick on ‘sift’.

OP posts:

Hellothereitisme · 14/05/2024 17:34

Hi @StarTrek1 did you hear anything? I haven't!

Original poster

StarTrek1 · 14/05/2024 19:44

No - I doubt I will. Another job I applied for ages ago said they are pausing recruitment as well.

OP posts:

Hellothereitisme · 14/05/2024 19:55

Oh gosh that's so frustrating. I hope there is an election soon so recruitment can get moving again.

Original poster

StarTrek1 · 14/05/2024 23:13

I doubt much would change as they are slimming down the CS. My boss is doing his nut in as he can’t replace anyone.

OP posts:

LicensedToSpill · 15/05/2024 16:36

Can you ask for the reserve list deadline to be extended in view of the recruitment freeze? Happened to me. Applied for a CS job Spring 2022, post interview was put on reserve list for six months in Summer 2022, reserve list deadline extended for a further six months end 2022, then finally started the job Spring 2023! Good luck OP!

Hellothereitisme · 15/05/2024 20:11

@LicensedToSpill This is good to know! Did you ask them to extend the reserve list or did they offer?

Original poster

StarTrek1 · 15/05/2024 21:03

LicensedToSpill · 15/05/2024 16:36

Can you ask for the reserve list deadline to be extended in view of the recruitment freeze? Happened to me. Applied for a CS job Spring 2022, post interview was put on reserve list for six months in Summer 2022, reserve list deadline extended for a further six months end 2022, then finally started the job Spring 2023! Good luck OP!

No I didn’t know we could do that. I sgall
ask…

OP posts: