What are some tips for applying to the civil service?
Posted by Odd-Paramedic-3826@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 13 comments
I've started gunning for jobs with the government and the NHS, I know the wages are lower but with the current state of the job market it seems like a safer bet for stable employment.
Most of my applications have been for entry level admin and support roles. I'm really enjoying not needing to put a CV through but the personal statements are a bit of a mystery to me. I try and tailor them to the job description as much as I can and hope for the best.
Any tips for making sure i get those right, as well as general advice for increasing my chances at getting those roles? thanks in advance!
Fancy-Knowledge683@reddit
For the personal statement, dispense with any flowery platitudes and just provide a STAR example showing how you meet each criterion being assessed. Your words are limited and they assess in a very specific way; provide evidence of what they explicitly say they are assessing.
I’ll reiterate the comments of others about using the STAR method in written applications and interviews, but as well as that, integrate some impact beyond your wider team/remit into your example to show some bigger picture thinking and if you have the word capital, also add a bit of reflection at the end to say what you learned from the experience. I did this in my 2 Civil Service interviews, and it was always received well.
SomeHSomeE@reddit
Search /r/TheCivilService for 'personal statement' and you'll find 100s of posts with lots of good advice.
Generally you'll want to write the statement in a way that ticks off the 'essential' (and 'desirable') criteria in the job spec. You can group similar ones. You should refer to specific examples although typically don't go full 'STAR' in the statement just a few sentences which some people call "mini STAR". But check the advert as they may ask for behaviours.
So you might have a couple of essential criteria like "Strong attention to detail" and "Clear communicator". You could write something like
"I have strong attention to detail and take pride in the accuracy and integrity of my work. For example in X role, I discovered that product data was being stored in a document where users would use different formats, leading to inconsistent data and errors. This created inefficiencies as users had to manually extract data. I developed a new tool that ensured all users entered data in a consistent format, leading to improved efficiency and a reduction in errors. This also showed my clear communication skills: I produced clear, easy to understand written guidelines on the new tool, and ran short workshops to improve user understanding."
And more broadly start the statement with a few sentences on your background and why you want the job. And end it with a wrap up sentence or two that basicslly says 'So yeah as you can see I am great and will obvs be excellent at this job'.
oscarx-ray@reddit
https://civilservice.blog.gov.uk/2024/11/18/four-steps-to-success-tips-for-candidates-applying-to-the-civil-service/
oscarx-ray@reddit
In interviews, we mainly get asked; "Tell us of a time when you...", "Give us an example of", "Show us how you have..."
Have solid examples of times that you've worked with a team, solved a problem, used your initiative, and know EXACTLY what the organisation expects from you with regards to their "core values" and what they generally do as a workforce.
Laxly@reddit
Yes, the STAR method:
Situation: Describe the context (e.g., a challenging resident, a team conflict).
Task: Explain the challenge or goal you needed to address.
Action: Detail the specific steps you took to resolve it.
Result: Share the outcomes, including achievements or lessons learned.
Respond using this method, and BE CLEAR what YOU did in this, not your team, not your manager, they're not being interviewed. The interviewer wants to know about your.
oscarx-ray@reddit
That means doing your homework, learning AND understanding what their core values are - integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Then showing how you use them in your life or in previous employment.
oscarx-ray@reddit
Each of those core values might come up in a question, and although this got downvoted for some weird reason when this is part of my actual job in the civil service, it's best to be prepared for it.
oscarx-ray@reddit
Read your application thoroughly. If you don't tick every box on their list, you're scrapped immediately.
If they say that you need to know "Powerpoint, Excel, Word, and Paint", then you need to say that "I know Powerpoint, Excel, Word, and Paint", not just "I am familiar with the Microsoft package". That can be enough to take you out of the running.
You don't need to prove that you're excellent, but you need to prove that you can read the requirements and answer that part of the process directly.
history_roadtrips@reddit
Read and understand the Success Profiles for the job grade you're applying for: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Personal statements can really vary from role to role so just make sure you have thoroughly read the essential (and desirable) criteria for the role and ensure you have addressed each one.
The word limit is often very tight. Write a sentence for each of your essential criteria and give evidence/examples from previous roles wherever possible.
Word of caution: it will say you can use AI to help write your statements but I would very much advise against relying too heavily on it. Sifters see thousands of carbon-copy AI crap and so although they're not supposed to mark you down for using it, you will find a lot of sifters view it negatively. And yes, they can tell. If you do use it, make sure to rewrite in your own words/style.
If you have a friend who works in the civil service, ask them to look over your applications before submitting.
Good luck! :)
blackobisidian@reddit
Your best bet is going to the dedicated r/TheCivilService
ResplendentBear@reddit
Find whatever the buzzwords are in your field.
Don't look like you'd rock the boat or show others up by doing too much work.
oscarx-ray@reddit
Your application or interview won't go poorly if you suggest that you work hard, but it might if you rock the boat.
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