I received the date for interview with the civil service this Thursday, does anyone have any tips ?

Muckers123

Does anyone have any tips for me please

theres a ton of threads with tips but without any idea of what the competition you applied for is you might not get much help

Muckers123

The interview is for a clerical officer in the civil service

have one strong example for each competency listed in the booklet (or you can find the co competencies online by googling) and be able to tell the example as a story setting out situation, your role in the actions/processes and the results.

look at each subcompetency and have a little think about the example through that lens for each also it will help your answers

tie aa much as possible back to the above

practice speaking different answers to questions you could be asked out loud, it really helps your confidence and is great prep

listen carefully to each question and answer what you are asked. clarify if unsure.

for broader questions maybe read the executive summary of the latest cs action plan/strategy and know the basics of the cs ethos- service user focused, acting openly with integrity, etc etc. this is useful if asked a direct question about numbers/budgets but is especially good if you are asked something like your motivation for joining or why youd be a good candidate- tie in yr values with the stated cs values here

these docs are easily googled also, if stuck the dper site should have them.

best luck

Spear

Moved to a forum that's related to the topic instead.

Doodah7

Don't be late.

Dress well.

Answer the question asked.

Have a different example for each of the competencies.

Be able to answer what you did for your example, how you did it, what difficulties were there, what you would do differently and what you learned.

Look at the interviewers when answering.

Have a short spiel selling yourself for the end.

sheriff2

Use the STAR approach. Just google it

Bicyclette

If have put down that you can e.g. use Excel, be prepared for a question on it.

Make eye contact.

Focus on the person who is interviewing you - they are usually 2 or 3 person panels.

The Star system and the competencies are REALLY important. These will form the basis of your interview.

dat6

This thread has great tips. Most importantly, make sure to have a positive attitude. Interviewers don’t want to hear about how you didn’t like a job or why you refused to do something.

Know the competencies. Use these to come up with questions and have examples at each point on how you meet them. It is a competency based interview, so know these competencies well. Know your application too because the interviewers will be looking at this.

Use the STAR method, don’t forget to explain what YOU did and what positive impact it had. Go through questions and answers yourself with a friend. If you’re doing it remotely (I assume), do a dry run with a friend in advance. Check lighting, broadband connectivity etc.

The better you do, the higher chance of being placed well on a panel.

Don’t go in thinking you have it (or not!). Go in wanting it and you’ll never look back!

Best of luck! Give it your absolute best.