Lack of diversity in interview panel in civil service

[JoanJettsBlackheads]

I currently work for the civil service, am a G6, and recently had an interview for a job in another department. They wanted someone with strong experience of leading large teams, and I was asked if I would consider applying for the job, as I’ve previously headed up departments of 80 and 60 staff.

I was one of the last two. The interview didn’t go well, and I could tell from body language that they weren’t really interested. I found out later that the job went to a male G7 in his mid 30s, on promotion. He’s never had to manage more than four people. (This job is managing a department of 70+)

The interview panel consisted of two fast stream G7s, both Oxbridge, in their early 30s, and the SCS hiring manager who was in his early 40s. I’m in my late 50s. I also realised after the interview that there was no independent panel member, as both the G7s work directly to the SCS man.

The SCS officer has offered me feedback, which I’ve accepted. Would it be wrong of me to point out the lack of diversity in the panel (although one of the G7s was a woman), and the fact that there was no independent panel member? I know I could have appealed this within 24 hours of the interview, but wasn’t really in any position to do so - I’d only had 48 hours notice of the interview. Should I also complain to HR?

Alternatively, has anyone any advice on how to interview with the confidence of a 30 something Oxbridge man? As I keep being beaten for jobs and 9 times out of 10 it’s to someone who fits this profile. I’ve also interviewed men with this profile for jobs and while a lot of them can talk the talk at interview, they’ve been arrogant disasters actually doing the job!

What feedback did they give you?

Not sure it’s always the norm to have an independent panel member, or what you think should have been different about this panel.

I’d be wondering where exactly the other candidate scored higher, and why. But I think you may need to let this one go.

48 hours notice is problematic though - you can and should insist on 5 days. I’d definitely flag that to HR.

Hi OP, civil service HR Manager here. 48hours notice is not on, so challenge that. Certainly best practice to have someone from outside the team.

There's often no value to diversity anyway. My last interview private sector, there was a guy on the panel who was absolutely clueless and just sat there smiling. He got a couple of acronyms wrong as well.

They gave me the job and I found out that he knew nothing about it 😂 and got drafted in at the last minute because their other "diversity" token panellist was unwell! It was all women otherwise so he was stuck with the task due to the mad policy.

It’s a requirement to have one independent panel member who is at least not in the line management chain, but preferably from another department.

The feedback was quite ageist - “tired and lacking energy”, which was probably true as it was at the end of the day in an extremely busy week.

Well I’d definitely be questioning that feedback, because it’s not about the content of your answers.

If it’s true then why is it ageist? I’d challenge the 48 hours notice thing as maybe you’d have felt fresher if you’d done it at the start of the next week. But you admit you didn’t perform your best so I’m not sure I’d argue the other guy didn’t deserve the job.

Seeing as you've said you knew the interview wasn't going well, I don't know why you're even questioning why you didn't get it.

It’s hardly ageist? Unless they followed it up with “probably due to being over 50”.

Does that matter if all candidates received the same notice though?

Yes! It shouldn’t be happening to anyone and needs to be flagged.

Why is that ageist?

But it doesn’t mean that theres a lack of diversity though. Im surprised that interview dates aren't included in the application pack- they are for teachers.

Not sure about the age issue, though it is a problem in a lot of places, but the whole ‘always hire the posh man over the experienced working class man or experienced woman’ is something I’ve heard civil service friends complain about before. Its a problem in finance too (my sector).

I’m not challenging the outcome. I’m challenging the process. And also why it is that young men always seem to
interview better.

Interview dates often are in the application pack but usually slip behind.

Youre meant to get 5 days to prepare. Giving less time isn’t on - and yes it does have an impact for diversity as it will likely have a greater effect on people from some groups than others (eg carers)

Maybe you just didn't hit the mark OP. It happens.

I think if the interview went really well I'd be questioning it, but you admit that the interview went badly, so what other option did they have but to hire one of the other candidates who may have done well in interview?

Because he performed better than you. That isn’t sexist, it’s factual based on what you’ve said.

Tired and lacking energy seems justified feedback to me - in your position would you have offered the job to someone who came across like that rather than dynamic and energetic?

It matters because the lack of preparation time will disproportionately affect people with caring responsibilities (typically women)

God give us all the confidence of a mediocre man!

CS interviews as you will know, are very weird. I am glad I have reached my level and have no desire to progress any further.

There is an issue though. I am also in my late 50s with decades of experience in my CS specialism; I am finding things are being increasingly governed by very young colleagues at the centre with little experience, or real world sense, but large amounts of confidence - and all the ridiculous corporate jargon too.

This recently led to a potentially catastrophic outcome, had I not stepped in.

Maybe this is just a function of me getting older and wiser, and maybe I admit, I am a bit bored and stale.

I do think ageism is an issue though.

Is there any evidence that he was mediocre?