Interview with the Civil Service - Please help!

DaisyDaisy82

Hi all,

After spending what seemed liked an eternity writing the answers to just seven questions on an application form I was told yesterday I was successful and have an interview early next week.

Now i've gone into panic mode as I know they look for you to 'tick the boxes' they have on their sheets and I am worrying how I should prepare.

Has anyone ever had an interview with them? What do they ask? What do they want to see?

Any comments would be gratefully received.

(Its with the CPS)

Thanks in advance x

elsien

I presume you were sent a job specification out with the application form? If so, it should tell you which qualities are essential and which are desirable -some will be covered by the application form, but some things can only be assessed at interview, so that might give you an idea as to the questions they might ask and the answers they will be looking for. If you don't meet the essential criteria, they can't give you the job. (The desirable stuff is then the icing on the cake.)
(Not just the verbal answers, but your manner as well - if they want good communication skills and you are either struck dumb or talk over the top of them, that wouldn't bode well!)
Sorry I can't be more specific, but good luck with it all.

Edit - try a bit of lateral thinking as well if you need to to make your experience fit with their requirements. I work with people with learning disabilities and applicants often say they can't anwer a question eg about supporting people to fit into the community. Most people who have brought up a family have some of the skills I'm looking for, but it either seems too obvious to them, or they just haven't thought about how their skills and experience can transfer over.