DWP Recruiting Again - 2012

Bircho

Not saying I am an expert by any means but I think there is room for improvement. These are just my thoughts through many years of working in HR and assessing applications. Based on what I have seen of the process and the documents here are just my views! I have broken it down to make it easier to read.

swtqtnel wrote: »

Can anyone please rate this for me? Your feedback will be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Building Capability - Behavioural

I was promoted and became a team leader of a sales team of ten people. I identified that the team was struggling with customer relationship building and this reflected in their performance.

I have rephrased this first bit a little to take out the work count and make it so that you have enough room to show some hows...

I used my experience to help them to understand the importance of high performance. I did this by arranging meetings during which I ...... [fill in with specifics, eg used quizzes, interactive tools etc This section previously which I have left in below in italics looks like you are lecturing your staff on your past experience.] different examples of how I strengthened business relationships with existing customers like offering gifts, and how I established relationships with prospective customers like identifying similar interests and engaging them in conversations about them.

This section needs reducing down as it doesn't say much about HOW you asked them to think ....I asked them to think of effective and consistent ways to building better relationships that also demonstrated their passion for customers. I then encouraged them to align their strategy with enhancing communication and organisation skills so as to develop their capabilities on the job. followed by what you did to follow up and check their understanding

I encouraged my team to build on my techniques (dictating again?) to improve their relationship with their own customers. In the process, I learnt more, developed my skills and strengthened my relationship with my team. What did you learn?

Consequently, they learnt that responding to challenges (they learnt by you dictating to them?)with their own initiative and creative tactics (which were?) developed their capability to deal with future difficulties.

This increased performance levels, strengthened team spirit and fostered positive working relationships.

I think therefore you probably got marks for part of the first section and the last section.

Just my thoughts; sorry if I sound over critical.

Lorac05

athenajm wrote: »

I was wondering how they can plan for an April start for staff when they presumably need to CRB people first? Last recruitment drive the CRB checks took over 6weeks to do.

I agree - there is no way people will be starting in April at this rate.

Still nothing from Staffs/Shrops and Black Country. I may call up this afternoon if I still haven't heard to get an update.

SHIRAZ

still awaiting review for both east and north Scotland

I'm begining to think no news is bad news as I know some people have had scores back from these areas

redsky1977

athenajm wrote: »

I was wondering how they can plan for an April start for staff when they presumably need to CRB people first? Last recruitment drive the CRB checks took over 6weeks to do.

I also doubt they will be starting in April. We are almost at the end of February and [most] people still haven't heard whether they have been invited to interview. I have to give at least 10 days notice to get time off at work so not sure if DWP will take this into account if I get an interview?
Then, if I am successful, I must give at least a month's notice to leave [which I won't do until I get a start date from DWP].
I'm sure many people are in similiar situations to me.

redsky1977

Still nothing from Staffs/Shrops and Black Country. I may call up this afternoon if I still haven't heard to get an update.[/QUOTE]

I hope you get your results soon.
I don't think I'll get any scores from Staffs/Shrops - they'll just use my other scores, hopefully the B'ham ones 'cos they are better!

Cuppa_T_2

Been reading this thread with interest since I put my application in. It seems such a shame that people are missing out who seem like they would be good at the role just because they haven't written their competencies in the correct DWP speak. They don't like language like "I was required to" or "I had to" as it implies you didn't really want to but had to kind of thing!! i'm still waiting on my sift feedback so keeping my fingers crossed. I'm working in the DWP already though as an AO so one way or the other I might see some of you soon :beer:

mommarat

Lorac05 wrote: »

I agree - there is no way people will be starting in April at this rate.

Still nothing from Staffs/Shrops and Black Country. I may call up this afternoon if I still haven't heard to get an update.

Just rang got straight through no wait. Comps should be on by the end of today unless they are running behind and if passed for interview we should get email next week. This is the info the nice chap I spoke to has been given

Gael21

mommarat wrote: »

Just rang got straight through no wait. Comps should be on by the end of today unless they are running behind and if passed for interview we should get email next week. This is the info the mice chap I spoke to has been given

Did he have a squeaky voice then?

Sorry - couldn't resist that! Going la la here...

Thanks for the info - let's hope the end is in sight.

pixiechick_2

athenajm wrote: »

I was wondering how they can plan for an April start for staff when they presumably need to CRB people first? Last recruitment drive the CRB checks took over 6weeks to do.

I already have an enhanced CRB disclosure (several actually!), the most recent being January this year.

If I get a job with DWP, would they be able to use this most recent CRB?

Red3806

mommarat wrote: »

Just rang got straight through no wait. Comps should be on by the end of today unless they are running behind and if passed for interview we should get email next week. This is the info the nice chap I spoke to has been given

I rang the helpline earlier they said similar and if you don't receive email or comp feedback to ring back next week as there may have been a problem. He told me the process has been a nightmare, yep it's not been too good for us applicants either.

Oh well another day of sending in job applications!