Interview for DWP Executive Officer (EO) Position. Help Wanted!

JoeBreakdown

Hiya folks, this is my first post.

I have an interview coming up for an EO position with the DWP. I'm an external applicant and this will be the second time I have got to the interview stage for this position.

Last summer, I applied for the same grade, but was unsuccesful. I was given very limited feedback on my interview, so dont know what mistakes I made. I thought the interview went well and I managed to answer all of the questions.

Does anybody have any hints/tips? I can remember exactly what questions were asked last time, but I can remember most of my examples. I'm trying to think of some more!

Best wishes,

Joe

~Beanie~

There are a couple of threads already running for the same thing, they should be in the first 2 or 3 pages so have a look.

Good luck, I've got an interview for an EO position next Thursday so I'm also busy trying to think of examples and swot up on interview techniques!

mvengemvenge

JoeBreakdown wrote: »

Hiya folks, this is my first post.

I have an interview coming up for an EO position with the DWP. I'm an external applicant and this will be the second time I have got to the interview stage for this position.

Last summer, I applied for the same grade, but was unsuccesful. I was given very limited feedback on my interview, so dont know what mistakes I made. I thought the interview went well and I managed to answer all of the questions.

Does anybody have any hints/tips? I can remember exactly what questions were asked last time, but I can remember most of my examples. I'm trying to think of some more!

Best wishes,

Joe

Contrary to what some people think, the external application is viewed as 'easier' than the internal one.

You have to hit certain 'buzz words' in interviews. I don't know them all, but for all the competencies, you have to show what the problem was, what YOU (not your team) did, and what the outcome was.

Process A wasn't working, so I implemented process B and measured the results. They showed there was a marked improvement leading to more satisfied customers. It can be quite a bsic example, but you have to say what the issue was, what you yourself did, what the outcome was, and have your answers ready in your head for each example you've given them. I know cr*p members of staff who've got through by 'talking' a good job and I know brilliant staff who just can't hit all the right buttons.

JoeBreakdown

Cheers.

I've sat the interview before, but wasn't selected.
I currently work in the provate sector and am being made redundant, so I could really use a job!

Since my last interview with the DWP, I have sat on an interview panel and witnessed candidates really struggle with the competancies.

I thought I would be at a disadvantage as I do not curently work for the DWP, but I guess you have to assume that your interviewers have no prior knowledge of your current work, no matter what background you come from!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Joe

mvengemvenge

JoeBreakdown wrote: »

Cheers.

I've sat the interview before, but wasn't selected.
I currently work in the provate sector and am being made redundant, so I could really use a job!

Since my last interview with the DWP, I have sat on an interview panel and witnessed candidates really struggle with the competancies.

I thought I would be at a disadvantage as I do not curently work for the DWP, but I guess you have to assume that your interviewers have no prior knowledge of your current work, no matter what background you come from!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Joe

Good luck. It's a bit like your driving test. I know external candidates who've got through first time and internal ones (with 20 years service) who took 7 attempts. It's a bit of a lottery. Don't lie, but you can embellish and talk a good job.

JoeBreakdown

mvengemvenge wrote: »

Good luck. It's a bit like your driving test. I know external candidates who've got through first time and internal ones (with 20 years service) who took 7 attempts. It's a bit of a lottery. Don't lie, but you can embellish and talk a good job.

I'm a rather poor liar, so I don't think that would be an option.
I was very surprised how many people failed the literacy/numeracy when I took the tests last summer..i thought I'd breeze the interview too, but alas, i was wrong!

Will let you know how it goes, unless another job comes up in the meantime!

mvengemvenge

JoeBreakdown wrote: »

I'm a rather poor liar, so I don't think that would be an option.
I was very surprised how many people failed the literacy/numeracy when I took the tests last summer..i thought I'd breeze the interview too, but alas, i was wrong!

Will let you know how it goes, unless another job comes up in the meantime!

I understand, but you will be up against people who could be very good liars, so at the very least you need to blow your own trumpet a bit.

mvengemvenge

sigrid wrote: »

don't blow your trumpet they'll think your a knob

I've been managed by many knobs, and in my experience, like-promotes-like.

Tez23_2

Hi,

Was wondering how you got on with the interview? I have an interview for the same position coming up and I am trying to prepare, any tips or info would be greatly appreciated. The 4 competencies are: 1: Engaging effictively with customers, internal & external, promoting customer service. 2: Making the best use of resources, delivering an efficient service. 3: Improving performance, managing performanceimprovements. 4: Building constructive working relationships, working with others. I assume it is best to choose an example for each competency and break it down into what you done and what the outcome was ect but any ideas would be very much appreciated.

tink_the_stink

I work in DWP & completed the Selection Process course so I can be a member of the interview panel.

Best advice remember its always I did this & I did that not we, have extra examples of competences don't just reharsh the ones on your application form & think before you speak, if unsure ask for the question again the panel isn't trying to trip you up!

Good Luck!

Tez23_2

tink_the_stink wrote: »

I work in DWP & completed the Selection Process course so I can be a member of the interview panel.

Best advice remember its always I did this & I did that not we, have extra examples of competences don't just reharsh the ones on your application form & think before you speak, if unsure ask for the question again the panel isn't trying to trip you up!

Good Luck!

Thanks for your info on this, i think i may be over-thinking the whole situation! My understanding is that there are 4 questions relating to customer service, involvement in change, working in a group and improving a team's performance this may not be correct but is it safe to say that each example that i give should relate to the specific competency only? so if i am asked the question about improving a teams performance (or something similar) i should only relate my answer to the improving performance/managing performance improvements competency? Many thanks with this