How to get a civil service job? Older person asking!

[Fleetheart]

I've left my previous role as I need a change of career; it was marketing and really at 59 I am just feeling too old and too cynical.

I have a lot of transferable skills, including data analysis, and would really like to do some work for a government department - can be quite junior of course as I know that I won't command my previous mid manager salary. Just because it's interesting and won't be sell sell sell like marketing seems to be these days.

But how do I find these jobs and is there a way to find out more about them and how to get into the civil service? I can see a long list on the government website but it seems so targeted to people who are already in. Is there anywhere to go to get a way in - especially for older people?

Any ideas most welcome

Have you looked on civil service jobs? You can filter by grade - AO being the lowest, then EO. Those two might be good to start with. Also look out for jobs with apprentice in the title. It doesn't mean apprentice in the old fashioned sense of a young person leaving school, it just means they will provide training.

I’ve no idea, sorry that isn’t helpful really 🤣. My first job at 18 was an AA in the (then) DSS. I’ve applied again for similar roles on and off over the last 20-odd years and never got past application stage. No idea how I was better equipped as a naive teenager than as someone with a lot of job and life experience 🤷‍♀️.

Civil service jobs is the website you need. Then you can filter by salary location etc.

While age isn’t a barrier, you have to be prepared to work for much younger colleagues. If you’ve got management experience, look at SEO to G7 posts (HEO is entry-level).

As for where to find them, you found them already. So apply.

Hi OP, as well as looking at the civil service jobs website, which has all the vacancies listed, have a look at the civil service careers website. I'll link to it.

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/

It gives more info about different roles, different departments, and importantly the application process (read up on success profiles, behaviours and STAR method in particular).

But your options will really depend on where you are in the country and how far you are willing to commute. So filtering location on the CS jobs website is a really good place to start.

All you need to do is find a suitable vacancy and apply - it really is that simple!

Civil service uses "success profiles" to recruit, all the info here:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

If you look on YouTube there are a couple of channels focussed on how to write behaviour examples/personal statements.

I'd contact the vacancy holder for a chat about particular roles before you apply for them so you can get a feel for what it actually is. When I recruit I often get contacted by candidates who want to get into the civil service, don't be afraid to ask for a bit of advice alongside asking about the particular role.

They are apparently a bit more forgiving of the application writing style for those applying from outside the Civil Service so if you really want to stand out get you STAR format perfected. Situation and task should be a couple of sentences, your action and the result that came from your actions should be the main part. Really focus on what you did, how you overcame the problem, the excellent result you made happen. Even if it's a personal statement, get your STAR in and refer to the criteria and person specification. Look at the behaviour examples and use some of those buzzwords like 'working at pace', 'self-starter', 'problem solver' etc.

Older, cynical? Do you fancy being a probation officer? You'd be welcomed. You can start as a probation service officer (PSO) or you can apply directly for PQuip which is the degree qualification you need to be a PO. Look on justice jobs

Don’t limit yourself to the Civil Service - quite a few arms-length bodies have their own recruitment websites and don’t list on CS Jobs. Environment Agency for example. If you have data analysis skills that’s a great transferable skill.