Is there a point of applying for civil service jobs?

[Autumnisintheair]

If you never worked in public service? Are there lots of politics? Is the process long and complicated? Or is it transparent and straightforward?

Is there a point in applying for civil service jobs?

The process is long and complicated in that there are lots of steps- written, usually a personal statement 500ish words, competency based questions, if you get past that stage then you have to do literacy/numeracy/critical thinking tests, if you score highly enough on those then you may be asked to do a video interview which isn’t face to face it’s questions & you record a video of you answering it, that gets scored, then if score highly enough compared to others you would be invited to an actual panel interview.

But that’s not just a civil service thing, it’s common in lots of jobs now and isn’t necessarily a reason not to apply if you want the job.

it very much depends on the role. I think the tests and pre recorded interviews are for low grade bulk recruitments. I certainly have never had, or indeed used when I have recruited, the tests or pre recorded interviews.
In answer to your main question, yes it is very long and painfully slow! Also the role will very much dictate how much politics is involved. What type of role are you looking at?

Well people must have applied to get the jobs in the first place so where did they start before they got in themselves, by applying?

With any application, it's up to you to work for it and it's not lost if it doesn't work for one role, adapt it for the next one:

1. You have to ask or sign up for the application
2. Complete it fully adapting any parts about your abilities to match their needs in the way they ask to see it not the way you prefer to answer (paragraphs, examples, STAR wherever).
3. Practice, practice, practice your interview techniques to match the style they say they will use. Check in advance if you can have notes. Have at least five main examples that cover likely scenarios, e.g. working under pressure, adapting at short notice, supporting the team, working with diverse people/resolving conflict, instigating change, decision-making.

I hope so! After a 6 month process I start a job with them next month!

Are there lots of politics?
This will depend on the type of role you are applying for? One of the big departments, in a ministers office, on a high profile topic or area, then yes there could be lots of politics. Equally there are roles largely unaffected by politics of the day, where civil servants are just doing their jobs, day in, day out, keeping public services running. Do you know what type of role you are interested in?

Is the process long and complicated?
Different departments have slightly different recruitment processes. In ours, you sit the standard psychometric online tests that everyone sits, then its an technical exercise (usually a PowerPoint presentation on a topic given in advance) plus 4 or 5 questions at interview based on the civil service behaviours. Occasionally we also use strengths questions as well. We aim to tell candidates within a few weeks after interview if they have been successful. Other departments have long, multi stage campaigns with hundreds of candidates that can take months. So it really depends. There is definitely a civil service interview technique that you can read up on and will make the process easier but its not uncommon to not be successful on the first attempt.

Or is it transparent and straightforward?
I've heard stories about jobs being advertised that are really intended for internal candidates, but ive never experienced this myself. I've had a interview for promotions in my team. The scoring is transparent. Feedback has been good. Others I think will likely have a different view. Again, probably quite department / role specific.

Have you looked at these two websites?
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk

Ohh, 6 months? 😦😅

Congratulations and good luck

Thank you all. I am just not sure is something I have the strength to go through in my early 50s. I may just focus my energy in the private sector.

One of the jobs I saw is for the Home Office. A Finance role.

In answer to your main question, yes it is very long and painfully slow!

Get used to inefficiency 😆

Very long box ticking exercise

I'm sure it varies by department, but where I work ALL processes are long and complicated, not just recruitment! There is layer upon layer of bureaucracy and people that come in from the private sector do tend to get very stressed and frustrated with how long it takes to get anything done.

Why wouldn’t you, it’s great terms and conditions and not bad pay. One tip, go in as high as you can. I worked there straight out of school as an AO, I was there at that grade for 6.5 years even though I was on a very specialist team. I left for uni, then the NHS, before returning to the CS as an SEO (3 grades higher) and it’s proving difficult to progress.

Yes, as in job was advertised March then the whole recruitment process has taken this long.

My role has nothing to do with parliament, politics or ministers - there are thousands of jobs keeping the CS itself running (finance, HR, facilities) which are separate from any political stuff.

The application process is painfully slow, cumbersome and there are specific behaviours you need to evidence in line with their guidance (which is all available online), so you are unlikely to be successful if you don't read it.

I was successful at interview and finally started work 6 months later.
But if mind numbing box ticking and fannying around over nothing isn't your thing, civil service is maybe not for you.

That said, my working conditions are great, job security is pretty good and the pension is excellent. It's very easy to shine in some area of the CS if you come from a demanding private sector job. You also get time off for the Kings birthday which is a weird and wonderful quirk.

I dread to think how much tax payers money is wasted in the civil service. Doesn’t bear thinking about.

But if you can get a job with them, you’ll have a job and benefits for life. With very little pressure and very little accountability. Depends what you prefer!

Thank you. Thinking there is no point wasting my energy on it; if I was starting my career maybe but not at this stage in my life.

This is the job add I have been considering

jobs.accaglobal.com/job/13443462/senior-management-accountant/?LinkSource=PremiumListing

There's no harm in trying. Both my sister and cousin applied at age 49 and got in at EO (Work Coach) and HEO (Policy officer) levels. Best career moves for them as 1 of them WFH as a reasonable adjustment. Promotion to SEO level was after 2 years. Please think about it.

Thank you. I think you are right. I have been off for burnout for 3 months and finding job hunting a bit difficult, need to change my mindset. I am not sure is the burnout or my age; having to do tests, presentations, etc. Doesn’t really excite me.

@Autumnisintheair I am so sorry to hear about the burnout. I do hope you think about it when you're feeling better, as I'm sure you'll be an asset in the CS. All the best and take care.