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What an understatement!And don’t be alarmed if it takes longer than expected to find out the outcome, the process can be a little slow
Tublet83
VIP Member
Thanks everyone for the help! Had my interview today think it went well, was able to answer everything with examples, they repeated the same questions from the application rather than ask questions on the other technical competencies that through me but hope it was ok! They did follow up (but said they would be doing) to explore more about my answers, but I didn’t feel it was because I had answered them wrong.
I think had 5 technical questions and 5 strengths quick fire 2 min questions , not sure how I did on the strengths but the interviewer said I was concise in my answers
Long wait ahead!!!
I think had 5 technical questions and 5 strengths quick fire 2 min questions , not sure how I did on the strengths but the interviewer said I was concise in my answers
Long wait ahead!!!
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Probably repeating what everyone else has said, but I've been doing a lot of panels recently.
Behaviours - will be in the form of 'can you tell me a time when you've....' and they'll ask you to tell them when you've demonstrated a behaviour. We basically marked people against how much of the behaviour descriptors candidates cover. Any follow on questions will be because you haven't covered something within the behaviour that they want to expand on. Don't worry if there's no follow on questions, it just means you've covered everything. Also make sure you answer the question asked, amazing how many people don't!
Finally focus on what you did, not the team, so lots of I, less We.
Strengths - if they do these you can't prepare, the whole idea is to get people's natural reactions and the first thing that comes into your head. There's no right or wrong answer, it should be an open question that you answer in a couple of minutes.
Hope this helps, well done for getting to interview stage and good luck!
Behaviours - will be in the form of 'can you tell me a time when you've....' and they'll ask you to tell them when you've demonstrated a behaviour. We basically marked people against how much of the behaviour descriptors candidates cover. Any follow on questions will be because you haven't covered something within the behaviour that they want to expand on. Don't worry if there's no follow on questions, it just means you've covered everything. Also make sure you answer the question asked, amazing how many people don't!
Finally focus on what you did, not the team, so lots of I, less We.
Strengths - if they do these you can't prepare, the whole idea is to get people's natural reactions and the first thing that comes into your head. There's no right or wrong answer, it should be an open question that you answer in a couple of minutes.
Hope this helps, well done for getting to interview stage and good luck!
yeahyouhun
VIP Member
Study the specific behaviours listed in the ad, this is where you're likely to get the majority of your score from. Try and get a few examples of how you meet each one, so you’re not completely on the spot. The panel aren’t there to be scary and will help as much as they can to get the best out of you during the interview. It also looks good if you can somehow work diversity/inclusion into one of your answers, but only if it’s relevant to the question! Best of luck for the interview! And don’t be alarmed if it takes longer than expected to find out the outcome, the process can be a little slow
Good luck, let us know how you get onThanks everyone for the help! Had my interview today think it went well, was able to answer everything with examples, they repeated the same questions from the application rather than ask questions on the other technical competencies that through me but hope it was ok! They did follow up (but said they would be doing) to explore more about my answers, but I didn’t feel it was because I had answered them wrong.
I think had 5 technical questions and 5 strengths quick fire 2 min questions , not sure how I did on the strengths but the interviewer said I was concise in my answers
Long wait ahead!!!
NoodlesToodles
VIP Member
Every team/interviewer in CS has same training but they (as all do) have different styles. Some are very strict and by the book and others are a little more relaxed. If you know STARR back to front and are familiar with it, you have a great advantage already. Just explain yourself clearly and concisely. You'll get points allocated to each competency based on your examples. Try not to come over too cocky and remember to inject a bit of your personality into it too 
good luck. Once you're in you have a great career and plenty scope to move around, job security and benefits. Hope you get it.
good luck. Once you're in you have a great career and plenty scope to move around, job security and benefits. Hope you get it.
Peakyblinders
VIP Member
All civil service interviews are success profiles now. Print off the framework and read the ones for your band that you are applying for. There’s also a guy on YouTube who is really good at discussing different competencies for civil service interviews I can’t remember his name but if you type civil service interviews in YouTube it will come up.
Mamacita
VIP Member
Technical, strengths, behaviours are elements of success profiles that can be used in interviews but dont have to use all. There is a success profiles document on behaviours, explaining what is expected at each level https://assets.publishing.service.g...hment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf
For tehhnical it's self explanatory I guess, it's just assessment against specific criteria related to the job. For my job I actually had to do a presentation for the technical criteria bit.
Mamacita
VIP Member
Yay well done! Congrats and you found out quicker then expected I'm guessing!I got the job!!!!
Never had a job offer via text message before
Need to fill in all the security/references clearances etc but have a provisional offer
Mamacita
VIP Member
Fingers crossed!Thanks everyone for the help! Had my interview today think it went well, was able to answer everything with examples, they repeated the same questions from the application rather than ask questions on the other technical competencies that through me but hope it was ok! They did follow up (but said they would be doing) to explore more about my answers, but I didn’t feel it was because I had answered them wrong.
I think had 5 technical questions and 5 strengths quick fire 2 min questions , not sure how I did on the strengths but the interviewer said I was concise in my answers
Long wait ahead!!!
Great news! Congratulations!I got the job!!!!
Never had a job offer via text message before
Need to fill in all the security/references clearances etc but have a provisional offer
Tublet83
VIP Member
Thank you! Really reassuring I’m not missing anything obvious!Every team/interviewer in CS has same training but they (as all do) have different styles. Some are very strict and by the book and others are a little more relaxed. If you know STARR back to front and are familiar with it, you have a great advantage already. Just explain yourself clearly and concisely. You'll get points allocated to each competency based on your examples. Try not to come over too cocky and remember to inject a bit of your personality into it too
I've sat on interview panels a good few times now. Recently we've used the strengths too (I didn't actually realise they weren't mandatory?)
Best tips are use STAR and concentrate on the R, as it often gets missed. Listen to the question and answer the question being asked not the one you want to hear. Keep an eye on the time and be succinct as it'll give the panel members the opportunity to ask follow up questions.
Best tips are use STAR and concentrate on the R, as it often gets missed. Listen to the question and answer the question being asked not the one you want to hear. Keep an eye on the time and be succinct as it'll give the panel members the opportunity to ask follow up questions.
Tublet83
VIP Member
Thank you I’ve got the success profiles, the job description has no strengths just technical competencies and behaviours?
Dot_Cotton
VIP Member
Aw congratulations!! I am surprised you found out so quickly!
Tublet83
VIP Member
Thank you, yes loads of technical questions but no presentation (I would have preferred this, and haven’t had an interview where you haven’t had a presentation tbh!)
due the recruitment waves. I will have forgotten about it by then