Civil Service Progression

[Captain_Sham]

Hello. Im posting this as I know some of my esteemed co-posters on here have been civil servants far longer than I. I have been on somewhat of a journey since I started my new career.I joined for 3months 8 years ago. As time has gone by I started to feel at home.I had the idea why not try out for progression. A little extra money cant hurt. I expected, given my extensive career in constrution project management, that I would sail through the process. I now find myself having failed the process for a second time. I have been close both times, but it is the most perplexing experience I have ever been part of. People used to ring me and ask to me to come work for them. Now I have to "tell me about a time..." Its frankly bizzarre. My question is, do any of my civil servant compadres have any tips for me. The more times I fail the more determined I am getting. Feel free to PM rather if you dont feel comfortable posting in here. I availed myself of all; available online resources. Thats not what I mean. What I mean is any obervations over the years about what helped you advance? Thanks in advance.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

It’s often more about learning about how to get through the interview than your aptitude for the job you’re applying for. Not always and don’t listen to bitter people who can’t progress when they tell you they’re so much better than other who have. They’re usually not. Obviously there’s no point applying for jobs you’re not suited for and I’m sure you’re not but I wouldn’t limit yourself either. I’ve done stuff in my career I never dreamed I’d do when I started 30 years ago. Speak to the hiring manager and speak to people who have progressed, they’ll have insight into what they’re looking for and how to master the recruitment process. To coin a cliche, the civil service is a broad church which gives opportunities to people (like me) with no qualifications and no real career expectations many moons ago. But it can also be frustrating for very talented people who find themselves hamstrung by the recruitment process. Speak to as many people as you can for tips. There’ll be plenty around.

 

[Captain_Sham]

It’s often more about learning about how to get through the interview than your aptitude for the job you’re applying for. Not always and don’t listen to bitter people who can’t progress when they tell you they’re so much better than other who have. They’re usually not. Obviously there’s no point applying for jobs you’re not suited for and I’m sure you’re not but I wouldn’t limit yourself either. I’ve done stuff in my career I never dreamed I’d do when I started 30 years ago. Speak to the hiring manager and speak to people who have progressed, they’ll have insight into what they’re looking for and how to master the recruitment process. To coin a cliche, the civil service is a broad church which gives opportunities to people (like me) with no qualifications and no real career expectations many moons ago. But it can also be frustrating for very talented people who find themselves hamstrung by the recruitment process. Speak to as many people as you can for tips. There’ll be plenty around.

Many thanks. I really appreciate the insight.

 

[Cooperman]

Is an interview feedback session available if the candidate requests one? As a general rule I will always make myself available to do this, but I seem to be the minority in my organisation.

 

[Smurph]

The STAR format is good for answering behavioral questions.

Situation
Task
Action
Results (the really important part)

In the past I've prepped some examples using this format in readiness for any questions thrown at me.

There is wealth of information online about how to prep and use the format like this -https://resources.biginterview.com/behavioral-interviews/star-interview-method/

These days if you tell ChatGPT what job is about the tool can interview you and give you tips on your responses.

Good luck with it all

 

[Smurph]

Is an interview feedback session available if the candidate requests one? As a general rule I will always make myself available to do this, but I seem to be the minority in my organisation.

I'm the same, always like to those unsuccessful who have made the effort to apply.

Always surprises me those who don't make the effort to seek out feedback either. Just proves the right decision was made on occasions.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

Is an interview feedback session available if the candidate requests one? As a general rule I will always make myself available to do this, but I seem to be the minority in my organisation.

Yes, that’s always an option in my experience.

 

[Pentyrchjack]

Also bear in mind that many public sector organisations already know who they want to employ and use the interview process to validate a predetermined preferred candidate.

 

[Captain_Sham]

Is an interview feedback session available if the candidate requests one? As a general rule I will always make myself available to do this, but I seem to be the minority in my organisation.

Yes I did it(feedback discussion) last time as well. I got two 5s two 4s and two 3s. Not far away at all. I used star. Im not looking for pointers in that direction. Im just wondering why its such a strange process.

 

[Captain_Sham]

Also bear in mind that many public sector organisations already know who they want to employ and use the interview process to validate a predetermined preferred candidate.

I dont think thats the case AT ALL. For a start they progressed 15 people they knew nothing about other than what they learned in the interview. Some of the people had only been in the organisation for weeks. There no way they could have been preferred.

 

[MajorR]

Do they have “marking guides” and “behaviours” and base the questions on the job description and activities during the interview process? If the answer is yes, then that’s where your preparation needs to start, but you really need to get the feedback from your previous process.

I used to always make my self available to give feedback, it’s the least you can do when someone has taken the time to sublet an application form and attend an interview.

 

[Captain_Sham]

Do they have “marking guides” and “behaviours” and base the questions on the job description and activities during the interview process? If the answer is yes, then that’s where your preparation needs to start, but you really need to get the feedback from your previous process.

I used to always make my self available to give feedback, it’s the least you can do when someone has taken the time to sublet an application form and attend an interview.

As I said twice now, Im not looking for pointers on interview technique. I have already posted that Im taking onboard feedback.I was asking for insight from people who had "played the game"

 

[Neath_Jack]

No idea about the civil service, but can I ask why you left the construction industry?

 

[Captain_Sham]

No idea about the civil service, but can I ask why you left the construction industry?

Because its a shitty toxic environment and I lost the will to live doing it. Its no coincidence I ended up as a chronic alcoholic.(16 years sober- coincidently, 16 years since I left construction)

 

[MajorR]

I was trying to establish what the process was, I’ve not worked in the civil service but I have worked in other public services and have experience of their systems and was looking to see if I could assist you.