DWP employment waiting list

GracePsalms

AOboy wrote: »

Hi Grace. I Had exactly the same problem with the phone either not being picked up or engaged. In the end I called a different number (completely random DWP number) & gave them the IRC reference number. They put me through to the named person on the acceptance letter who then put me through to someone else who said that due to a change of office the checks are taking a bit longer than expected.

However, Aoki stated on here a few pages back that she had received a phonecall offering her a start date for a Central London position.

Conclusion.....don't hold your breath waiting for the DWP & keep applying for other jobs if possible

Thanks AOboy, I called a different number that was on another letter they sent me and got through to someone (see edited msg above) and like you said I won't be holding my breath.

AOboy

GracePsalms wrote: »

Thanks AOboy, I called a different number that was on another letter they sent me and got through to someone (see edited msg above) and like you said I won't be holding my breath.

Glad you finally managed to get through to someone although it probably made the process even more confusing as the different companies are saying differet things about when the checks were sent/not sent/received/not received etc etc.....

The person I spoke to said to expect to hear something this week (translation....sorry AOboy, I don't have a clue what's going on...lol).

slk_3

Hi All,
I have gained much info from this forum and thought it was time to post a reply in the hope that this may help others. The 'timeline' of my job application experience with the DWP(South London) is as follows;
March 27th - Closing Date for EO position - On-line application sent.
April 7th - Invited for Numeracy and Literacy tests in Croydon
April 28th - Invited for interview
May 7th - Successful Letter emailed
May 21 - Telephoned contact number supplied on letter - Still awaiting pre-rec checks to come back.
May 28th - As per May 21st
June 9th - Telephoned again - Informed of where I will be working just not when yet - promised a phone call 'within the next few days' once final checks are back.

Now, I know someone who works for Job Centre Plus/DWP and this person has been very helpful in supplying me with some inside info with regard to the current employment process. The following applies for the South East DWP and I cannot confirm if the same rules apply for other areas.
1. the DWP operates a merit list, with the first 20 places bieng offered jobs immediately.
2. If your letter mentions a 'waiting list' you are not in the top 20 and will be offered a job based on when a post becomes available. This is a variable which cannot be predicted as it is based on how many people from the top 20 actually go ahead and fill the posts. There may be dropouts based on CRB checks, accepting other jobs etc.
3. This merit list is ,basically, a grade. The better you did in the interview, the higher up the list you will be placed and subsequently offered a job.
(THE FIGURE OF 20 IS APPLICABLE FOR THIS DEPT. OF THE DWP, THIS FIGURE MAY BE 5, 35, OR EVEN 55, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE and NUMBER OF JOBS vs NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS)

A long winded process but worth the wait. There are currently very few private sector employers who are willing to offer you a fairly decent wage, performance related bonuses, superb pension, hugely reduced rate health insurance, leisure discounts and more. I have been looking for security and longevity in my next job and to me it seems obvious that the public sector is the way forward.

As of today, I am still awaiting a start date, also feeling slightly anxious about working in a large office environment after ten years as a studio based graphic/web designer. Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained...

All the best

zuccini_athletic

slk wrote: »

Hi All,
I have gained much info from this forum and thought it was time to post a reply in the hope that this may help others. The 'timeline' of my job application experience with the DWP(South London) is as follows;
March 27th - Closing Date for EO position - On-line application sent.
April 7th - Invited for Numeracy and Literacy tests in Croydon
April 28th - Invited for interview
May 7th - Successful Letter emailed
May 21 - Telephoned contact number supplied on letter - Still awaiting pre-rec checks to come back.
May 28th - As per May 21st
June 9th - Telephoned again - Informed of where I will be working just not when yet - promised a phone call 'within the next few days' once final checks are back.

As of today, I am still awaiting a start date, also feeling slightly anxious about working in a large office environment after ten years as a studio based graphic/web designer. Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained...

All the best

Welcome - and a well described account of your process so far. It's good to know that every region has gone through a similar process, with the odd difference (ie you recieved emails, most got letters).

I also take your point about the varying lengths of the merit lists, and how this will affect the amount of time waiting for a start date. With all the patience needed to wait for news, we'll all be zen masters at the end of this process...:rolleyes:

john00_2

Thanks for your info.

I received a success letter at the start of March! no mention of a waiting list, also pre-recruitment checks and CRB were completed a while ago!

I've called the DWP in Newcastle and they keep saying they have contacted the business e.g the local jobcentres (east london)... does anyone think i should call them direct or just stick it out and continue to wait, also can you change your location preferences?

slk_3

zuccini_athletic wrote: »

With all the patience needed to wait for news, we'll all be zen masters at the end of this process...:rolleyes:

Yes, patience is a definite virtue in this process, I guess it's a sign of how many people the DWP are currently recruiting.
With the excitement of getting the 'successful' letter seeming so long ago, I will have to apply my Zen patience techniques for a few days more.
All the best

slk_3

john00 wrote: »

does anyone think i should call them direct or just stick it out and continue to wait

I think it's a balance, with one phone call a week to the local office seeming to be an acceptable rate. I too went through this dilemma, too many calls make you appear as a PITA
I have to say that the lady I spoke to(name and number on successful letter) could not have been more helpful and accommodating. I think the occasional phone call shows enthusiasm and will not be seen as pestering.
All the best

ShaunJUK

Ok here is my timeline, what I can remember anyway


16/03 Receive letter inviting me to selection tests.
26/03 Pass selection tests and invited to interview on 28/03
28/03 Attend Interview
23/04 Receive confirmation letter of passing selection tests
24/04 Receive letter offering place on waiting list
27/04 Receive letter notifying success pending pre-appointment checks
04/06 Receive telephone call offering me a start date of 15/06

So exactly 3 months turnaround, it has felt a long time but it didnt seem a quarter of a year tbh

john00_2

ShaunJUK wrote: »

Ok here is my timeline, what I can remember anyway


16/03 Receive letter inviting me to selection tests.
26/03 Pass selection tests and invited to interview on 28/03
28/03 Attend Interview
23/04 Receive confirmation letter of passing selection tests
24/04 Receive letter offering place on waiting list
27/04 Receive letter notifying success pending pre-appointment checks
04/06 Receive telephone call offering me a start date of 15/06

So exactly 3 months turnaround, it has felt a long time but it didnt seem a quarter of a year tbh

Congrats, i've been waiting 5months+ FML

julietormesby

john00 wrote: »

Congrats, i've been waiting 5months+ FML

Hi John,

Just out of interest what is your time line over the last 5 months? Where are you at now? What area and what grade? Might be helpful to others to know this!!!