Job Interview with DWP

leamingtonspaceman

sigrid wrote: »

wouldnt get too excited! it's fixed term because they are expecting the economy to improve - if it improves your out on your ear after the contract!

Yes, the economy will improve.

During an 18-month stint though, people will leave, there could be natural wastage, I could be very good at the job and they'd want to retain me...highly likely.

So, anyone else got any thoughts?

sigrid...do you speak from experience? Have you been employed by DWP on a fixed-term basis and then lost your job at the end of it? Just that you seem very certain as to what the outcome would be and would just like to know what rationale you base your prediction on?

Thanks.

scaryspiders

i start at my first choice in 2 weeks - i applied for a perm. position and haven't been told any different (but maybe a tad worried i may too be on a temp contract, but will wait and see).
i really don't think it's anything to worry about long term, as if you're very good at your job they will want to keep you. anyway, the extra staff recruited is because they are extending opening hours and opening saturdays, and who's to say this won't be perm.
good luck with the new job!

ik23

Hi,

I've applied for different roles within DWP. I had an interview in Coventry EO, which I received a letter stating I’m unsuccessful, which didn't shock me as I thought the interview did not go well. But I also had an interview in cannock, and received a letter saying the same. Which was surprising as I thought the interview went really well.

I feel very depressed now, as I have my hopes on dwp!
I have got more interviews coming up, but I just don’t know where I am going wrong, as my friend works within dwp and has helped me with the competencies and said I should have got the job or been on a waiting list.

What did everyone think of their interview experiences and what were the outcomes?

charlotte20196

leamingtonspaceman wrote: »

I went through the interview/selection process for Executive Officer with DWP. This was done in Coventry. I got sent a letter weeks ago saying I'd been successful...great. I sent off all the info they asked for (employment history/CRB etc etc). Then a few days later I got another letter saying I'd been successful in another job! Phoned them and they said the 2nd letter was sent in error.

I didn't hear anything for weeks afterward and then phoned to see what was happening. I was sent around the houses and at one point told I hadn't actually got the job...and then told "oh sorry, yes, you have got the job...I'd got you on the wrong list!!!" I was also told that, since the recruitment process had started, most of the jobs would now be fixed-term contracts instead of permanent as originally advertised.

So, I've now been called and told I've got the job. It's an 18-month contract in the office I actually put down as my first choice. The start date is July!

I spoke with someone who used to work at DWP and she said that the fact it's an 18-month contract shouldn't be a worry. She feels that once you get into the DWP it's a job for life...if you want it.

I thought that maybe I was the only one who'd been somewhat perplexed by the DWP selection/employment process. After reading this thread I realise I'm not.

So, I've got the job but am unsure as it's not permanent. I'm working already and like my job but there is no scope for progression and the DWP is alot more money.

Not sure what to do...any advice.

I realise that, in these current circumstances, I'm very lucky to have a choice.

The 18 month contract is purely an arbritrary one. DWP had 43,000 employees 3 years ago, 7,000 were made redundant, as the job market was reasonably. The DWP was not a job for life anymore, however, given the current situation there are lots of unemployed people. If it picks there will be lots of jobs, you will not need to work for DWP, & can get one of the many jobs about. But as most people know it won't pick up, therefore there will still be lots of unemployed people about, & potentially your contract could be extended. I know what I would do, you only get one chance in life.

Best Wishes
G Telford

charlotte20196

scaryspiders wrote: »

Hi - does anyone know what happens if you turn down a post? I was offered a choice of 2 today but to be honest in the long term I can't cope with the travelling - was wondering if you say no do they keep you on the list and offer another location? Got to let them know tomorrow - AAAHHHHHRRRGGG!

If you turn down a job, you are not turning down a location, you are turning down the job full stop. You will not be put on a waiting list. Basically they say do you want to work for DWP or not. As you can see from this Forum there are many people who want to.

Its a job, have you anything else in the pipeline?

charlotte20196

scaryspiders wrote: »

Hi - does anyone know what happens if you turn down a post? I was offered a choice of 2 today but to be honest in the long term I can't cope with the travelling - was wondering if you say no do they keep you on the list and offer another location? Got to let them know tomorrow - AAAHHHHHRRRGGG!

Sorry I forgot to say when you sent your forms back you you had to choose locations "you were perpared to travel to" & tick a box. If you ticked the box thats why they offered you the location.

If the locations they offered you weren't on your choosen list, thats unreasonable.

G Telford

scaryspiders

charlotte20196 wrote: »

If you turn down a job, you are not turning down a location, you are turning down the job full stop. You will not be put on a waiting list. Basically they say do you want to work for DWP or not. As you can see from this Forum there are many people who want to.

Its a job, have you anything else in the pipeline?

Do you work for the DWP?

I am well aware that there are plenty of people who want to work for the DWP - I am one of them.

As for your advice, it would seem that YOU ARE WRONG in this instance - I turned down the location NOT the job, and two days later I got offered my first choice and start in two weeks time.

As to all you others - there is a light at the end of the tunnel - I had my interview 6 weeks ago and start in 2 weeks.

tes30

ik23 wrote: »

hi,

i've applied for different roles within dwp. I had an interview in coventry eo, which i received a letter stating i’m unsuccessful, which didn't shock me as i thought the interview did not go well. But i also had an interview in cannock, and received a letter saying the same. Which was surprising as i thought the interview went really well.

i feel very depressed now, as i have my hopes on dwp!
i have got more interviews coming up, but i just don’t know where i am going wrong, as my friend works within dwp and has helped me with the competencies and said i should have got the job or been on a waiting list.

what did everyone think of their interview experiences and what were the outcomes?

oh hard lines better luck next time !
I thought my inerview went well too but im not so sure now i havent heard anything back from them and the interview was over 2 wks ago! How long did you have to wait after your interview before you got the letter?

ik23

Took 3 weeks for Staffordshire and two weeks for Coventry.

freakyogre

I had an interview a couple of weeks ago for DWP and have today in the post received the CRB "certificate".

However, I have actually started a new job today. Does the certificate mean just the check has been done as there is no other letter? I don't want the DWP job now anyway, but wondered if I need to let them know now, or just wait and see if I am even offered a position. Or will they twig that as my JSA has now stopped, I already have a job? I don't want to mess them around!