To ALL EO civil servants.... (and anyone else who can help!)

[Indu29]

I recently have been unsucessful in an AO interview. The interviewer said my interview went well but unfortunately due to a high standard of candidates and because I talked for a bit too long for my behaviours (I was trying to ensure my answers covered all points) I was not successful.
Now my problem is that I have an EO interview coming up, in the same sector and even in the same location. How the hell am I supposed to interpret the interview feedback I have been given to ensure I am successful this time round?
Please help

I've been in the civil service for a while and had a few interviews - honestly the process can be so hit and miss it's very difficult to advise. On the application portal was there any specific feedback about your examples?

Unfortunately no, the interviewer called me today to let me know that I was unsuccessful. I asked her about my scores and she said she didnt have it at hand and it will be uploaded on the system by end of next week. This is too late for me as I have my interview at the beginning of next week

Im a civil servant who has had many successful and unsuccessful interviews and conducted interviews as well so hopefully can offer some perspective.

It's difficult without the detailed feedback because it sounds like from what you've said you may have scored well but due to the number and calibre of the other candidates they've had to get nit-picky to differentiate between you.

I may be teaching you to suck eggs here but just remember the STAR technique (situation task action result). Don't spend too long over-explaining the situation and task and focus on the action and result. Make sure to emphasise the action you took and how that contributed rather than the overall team effort (if that's what the example is).

I would also re-familiarise yourself with the job advert and essential and desirable skills so you can weave in how you meet those. Plus any buzz words from the CS success profiles for EO level.

Thankyou 🙂