Public sector interviews - is this normal? (scoring)

[IDontHateRainbows]

Just wondering if anyone has experience interviewing or being interviewed within the public sector, and how rigid they are on appointing the highest scorer regardless of other factors.

I have been working in a role via agency for 10 months with excellent feedback, told the job was mine and interview just a formality etc but they have to advertise the role externally as per procedure to put me on a contract. I'm used to private sector where if someone is working well in the job as agency, you'd just do a quick internal interview and offer them a contract as after all if they can do the job well what is the need to further prove themselves in an interview?

Ihave had my interview which is for the exact same role, nd was pretty sure I'd get it so maybe didn't do as much prep as an external candidate. Big mistake as although I got offered, they then said to me they had nearly given it to another external candidate who scored slightly higher and had to make a special case to give it to me, the lower scorer. This was based on my performance in role which they hadn't been 'allowed' to consider before as I had to be treated the same as external candidates.

So by the skin of my teeth I have kept my job (going from agency to a contract) but I was suprised that I so nearly lost it and it's making me doubt whether the panel really wanted to appoint me due to some internal politics - given that the feedback I have had has always been positive and I had no reason to think they would consider anyone else particulary an 'unknown'

So I guess what I'm asking is - does being the slightly lower scorer usually throw you out, even if you are alread doing the job well, in favour of a higher scoring but unknown candidate - or did one of the panel really not want to appoint me?

The nhs trust i work in has been like this for years and it frequently results in some very questionable decisions.

They seemingly use managers reviews and essential/ desirable criterion to shortlist but once they reach the interview stage it goes completely on that. So you can have excellent staff with vastly more experience and better qualifications getting trumped by someone who is full of themselves and can bullshit their way through an interview. It is not good for staff moral.

Exactly. Too often you get someone who is good at interviews but not the actual job.

Exactly. Too often you get someone who is good at interviews but not the actual job.

Too true!!🙄

This was one of the most frustrating things I found about the civil service. Many a time I saw a great candidate in a temporary role lose out to a higher scorer at interview when it became permanent. It was always one of my most emphatic piece of advice to never be complacent.

in CS there is usually a pass mark per question and if you score below that on any question you’re out regardless of your overall score.

public sector is so rigid in recruitment - fair & open principles - but very frustrating at times. Really glad it worked out for you though but that is very very unusual!