Job Interview with DWP

leamingtonspaceman

sigrid wrote: »

i base my prediction on the fact that i work for DWP recruitment :rolleyes:

And how sure are you of this?

Again, I've spoken today with a friend who used to work at DWP and she has family/friends who work/have worked there too. She tells me that not one of them has ever known anyone who has been released at the end of a contract. Either it gets renewed or they are made permanent.

Jenzy_2

Hi I just joined this forum as i see there are a number of people wanting jobs with DWP and i can understand why!

Basically i have had the test and the interview for an EO position in Reading i hae recieved a letter today (after 3 weeks and 2 days, not that i have been counting haha) stating that i have been successful and that they are just conducting pre-recruitment checks and i all goes well i will get the post.

I rang up the recruitment team ( who i have found very helpful) and they let me know that this just consists o taking up my CRB check and referees which should all go well they said that they allow 20 more days for this.

I just wondered what is the next step? How do they determin how much you get paid as the job position is between 2 salarys? Is this a fixed 18 month contract or is there a possibility it may be extended?! If i get the job do i need to go away anywhere for training?

Hope someone can answer these questions for me.

Thanks

Jenna

notalotofcash

I would really appreciate some advice. Im going to do my Literacy/Numeracy tests this week and if successful will have an interview for an Admin Officer position.
Im really nervous as ive never had such a formal interview before. Much of my work has been manual but i was looking for a career change so have applied and got through the online competency tests ok.
Im nervous on several fronts.

Firstly what to wear. Ive never worn a suit in my life but it seems everyone wears them to these things.
I wouldnt feel comfortable wearing a suit and i think it would make me more nervous being so formally dressed. Ive been to interviews in jeans etc before but obviously for different types of jobs to this.
Will a smart shirt and tie, trousers and shoes be ok?

Secondly im so far fine with giving examples of competency for the four mentioned on the info they sent execpt for one.
Leading through and participating in change. I cant honestly think of anything in work or outside of work that would fit. Any tips?

Finally because i will obviously be nervous will i be allowed to take any info with notes into the interview room? Has anyone else done this? I was just thinking of jotting in note form an example of what i would use on each competence on the Interview prep sheets they sent. Just to refer to in case i lost my thread when talking.

Any advice much appreciated

EmmaS_2

Hey everyone! Sounds like some of us are in the same boat!

I applied for an AO postion in Staffordshire and passed the tests and had (what I thought was) a good interview. I am just waiting to hear whether I am successful or not. I hope so!!

The tests were done in a very X-factor, lol, way where after we had completed all the tests they marked them then and there in a separate room. Then they started calling peoples names and giving them little envelopes. About 15 of us were left waiting in the test room and then they came in with big envelopes saying the ppl left had been the successful ones! And each envelope had our interview details inside, along with our disclosure forms, employment history forms, told us to bring ID, a proof of address, p60s or p45s etc etc. I thought this was strange to have to do BEFORE an interview, usually you only fill these if you've had a conditional job offer? Makes me wonder...

Anyway, anyone who has actually been successful in starting a job with the DWP, how long did the process take after interview and was anyones experience similar to mine?

Thanx x

DaisyChainMaker

Firstly....good luck

Secondly... calm down man, its only an interview, no ones going to die.

Preperation is the key, and there is nothing wrong with jotting down some notes on postcards to prompt you if you need them. Lots of people do it. chances are you won't need them, but having them in your pocket will fill you with confidence anyway.

Smart shirt and trousers is fine. Suits are not obligatory. p.s Dont forget your underwear (well you didn't mention it in your list of what you were thinking of wearing).

As for the examle of a compentency?
Fake it, think of an example where you could of lead through and participated in change? A personal one will suffice. eg Moving home, organising an event, divorce, marriage..and build around it. I am sure you have lead a change in your life at some point, and participated, even if it was just leaving home and going to uni or starting a job etc

Take a few deep breaths, research the department and make sure you have some questions to show you understand their ethos and goals.

Smile. x

scaryspiders

Jenzy wrote: »

Hi I just joined this forum as i see there are a number of people wanting jobs with DWP and i can understand why!

Basically i have had the test and the interview for an EO position in Reading i hae recieved a letter today (after 3 weeks and 2 days, not that i have been counting haha) stating that i have been successful and that they are just conducting pre-recruitment checks and i all goes well i will get the post.

I rang up the recruitment team ( who i have found very helpful) and they let me know that this just consists o taking up my CRB check and referees which should all go well they said that they allow 20 more days for this.

I just wondered what is the next step? How do they determin how much you get paid as the job position is between 2 salarys? Is this a fixed 18 month contract or is there a possibility it may be extended?! If i get the job do i need to go away anywhere for training?

Hope someone can answer these questions for me.

Thanks

Jenna

Well done!
It's a waiting game now - did the person in the recruitment team tell you what number you are on the merit list? It's usefull to know. My CRB check took about 3 weeks but I've read on this site that they can take up to 3 months now! They never took my references they just used my payslips as evidence of employment (I've been in the same job for the past 12 years). Once all the checks are done you will get a phonecall offering you a position. This process for me will have taken about 8 weeks in all from the interview to starting work.
As for the salary, you start on the lower figure and move up pay spines each year (you must get a satisfactory yearly assessment). I cannot answer about perm. or contract - it would have said on the job advert you applied for.
Good Luck

EmmaS_2

Does anyone on here actually work for the DWP Recruitment? I have read so many posts about the waiting lists for jobs, but how likely is it, in the present climate to be offered an immediate position? I applied for an AO in Staffordshire, first choice in Stafford....having claimed JSA in the past I have always noticed that there are not always that many staff in the Stafford office? Maybe I'm just wishful thinking!

Please any info that you can share would be most appreciated!!

x:T

ictquizzer

leamingtonspaceman wrote: »

And how sure are you of this?

Again, I've spoken today with a friend who used to work at DWP and she has family/friends who work/have worked there too. She tells me that not one of them has ever known anyone who has been released at the end of a contract. Either it gets renewed or they are made permanent.

Well I can assure you that it is certainly common place in my (large BDC) office - both through not needing the staff any longer and through the fixed term/temp staff not being up to the job and therefore justifiably being let go at the end of their contract. In fact, it's happening in a few weeks time to our current batch of temp appointees (who had their contracts extended for a month) while the external recruitment took place. They went through the same "open and fair" recruitment as everyone else but failed the tests - they're now out, new bunch in who passed the recruitment process. So I have to speak up and admit the recruitment process IS fair and is certainly not one for the so-called insiders...

barneythedog

though id share with you my experience of obtaining an AO position.

Original Interview 26th Feb 2009
Successful letter recd 13 March 2009
Start date 18th 2009

here are a few pointers to assist you - hope they help!

Two types of successful letter are being issued - one states an offer will be made subject to satisfactory checks etc and it is this letter which is issued to the higher scorers on that batch of interviews for the role. the second letter makes reference to waiting list, so its safe to assume that if you have recd this latter letter you will go on to a list. The Newcastle offcie have also advised me that they normally only follow up the reference checks once they have received your CRB certificate. the reference checks are being completed with HM Inland Revenue to confirm where you working and when. Once these checks have been completed you are contacted by the job holder/business unit to arrange your start date!

Hope this helps!

sportfan

barneythedog wrote: »

though id share with you my experience of obtaining an AO position.

Original Interview 26th Feb 2009
Successful letter recd 13 March 2009
Start date 18th 2009

here are a few pointers to assist you - hope they help!

Two types of successful letter are being issued - one states an offer will be made subject to satisfactory checks etc and it is this letter which is issued to the higher scorers on that batch of interviews for the role. the second letter makes reference to waiting list, so its safe to assume that if you have recd this latter letter you will go on to a list. The Newcastle offcie have also advised me that they normally only follow up the reference checks once they have received your CRB certificate. the reference checks are being completed with HM Inland Revenue to confirm where you working and when. Once these checks have been completed you are contacted by the job holder/business unit to arrange your start date!

Hope this helps!

Congrats Barney and Thanks so much for that for clearing it all up! Good luck with your new job!