DWP Recruiting Again - 2012

ema_boo

WandaFish wrote: »

Hello all

Well going back on my word I'm going to post even though the interview was a complete train wreck.

The questions I got were kind of based based around the competencies but A lot more specific and they explicitly said 'aside from the example you used in the application..'

I had prepared other examples but the questions were so specific that I was struggling to make them fit. There was also s further test for maths and reasoning which I flunked the first time so no reason to think I'll do better this time.

Questions that I can remember: Give a time you have helped someone develop, a time when working in a team hasn't gone as planned and what you did to rectify the problem, and Give an example of how you have furthered your own development in the workplace.

There were two more but it was a bit of a blur. Oh well. Good luck to everyone else.

So there was another test at interview??

To be honest if this is the case that puts me off, I'm hopeless with tests, just fall apart on the day (I only just scraped through the online one and I think that's because of the reasoning side)

daidai

I'm pleased to learn that they have some additional tests at the interview stage and don't just rely on the on-line test scores which can be manipulated.

C00kie1

ema_boo wrote: »

So there was another test at interview??

To be honest if this is the case that puts me off, I'm hopeless with tests, just fall apart on the day (I only just scraped through the online one and I think that's because of the reasoning side)

Someone earlier said there might me more tests - I don't mind tests, but I get in a right 2 & 8 before an interview so it wouldn't be a good time for me to sit one :eek:

Janabiyah-Jane

I personally don't mind the tests, however I can understand them doing this if they feel that people may not have completed the tests honestly and have received very high scores, but I don't understand it when they have lowered that pass rate so much, for instance Wanda only achieved 49% in the online test so why test her again? Surely they can't fail her on those grounds if she achieves the same or similar score, otherwise why waste the time on the interview.

Oh dear this is all such a lottery, mostly dependant on the area that you choose to work...

daidai

I wonder when they'll get round to doing a bulk emailing of rejections based only on the competency pass-marks.
Unless they're holding onto them to first evaluate the interview results in case they need to call more candidates in for interviews.

Chrish23

WandaFish wrote: »

Hello all

Well going back on my word I'm going to post even though the interview was a complete train wreck.

The questions I got were kind of based based around the competencies but A lot more specific and they explicitly said 'aside from the example you used in the application..'

I had prepared other examples but the questions were so specific that I was struggling to make them fit. There was also s further test for maths and reasoning which I flunked the first time so no reason to think I'll do better this time.

Questions that I can remember: Give a time you have helped someone develop, a time when working in a team hasn't gone as planned and what you did to rectify the problem, and Give an example of how you have furthered your own development in the workplace.

There were two more but it was a bit of a blur. Oh well. Good luck to everyone else.

Okay so I work for the DWP and I have asked someone sitting on the panel if there are going to be any extra tests at interview and they explicitly said no, also why lower the pass mark to 36% sift everyone and then re-do test (this just would not happen)
I also spoke to someone on the interview panel who said that they have no idea what your competency examples are, you start with a clean slate therefore they would not state 'aside from your other examples'

SG.

So we need to expand and memorise our own competencies, do ANOTHER test, AND answer four more competence based questions in the desired fashion?

My interview is 11.15 Monday, I shall post as soon after as is possible to hopefully confirm whether it is as dreadful as it sounds. I'm not confident at all and I've been in the service for 21 years.

SG.

Chrish23 wrote: »

Okay so I work for the DWP and I have asked someone sitting on the panel if there are going to be any extra tests at interview and they explicitly said no, also why lower the pass mark to 36% sift everyone and then re-do test (this just would not happen)
I also spoke to someone on the interview panel who said that they have no idea what your competency examples are, you start with a clean slate therefore they would not state 'aside from your other examples'

I was also informed that they would not stray away from competencies other than to ask some general questions. I don't know but I do sense some scaremongering.

Killmark

Chrish23 wrote: »

Okay so I work for the DWP and I have asked someone sitting on the panel if there are going to be any extra tests at interview and they explicitly said no, also why lower the pass mark to 36% sift everyone and then re-do test (this just would not happen)
I also spoke to someone on the interview panel who said that they have no idea what your competency examples are, you start with a clean slate therefore they would not state 'aside from your other examples'

Each district has autonomy when it comes to recruitment and so do things slightly differently so its possible that some may do additional tests but its highly unlikely as pass rates are usually 30% and so it defeats the purpose of the sift.

When I've gone for EO/HEO/SEO/Grade 7 interviews I have never had an additional test after the assessment/sifting stages.

I still think WandaFish is a WUM.

Chrish23

SG. wrote: »

I was also informed that they would not stray away from competencies other than to ask some general questions. I don't know but I do sense some scaremongering.

Well the person I spoke to (today btw) said you could use WHATEVER EXAMPLE you wanted.
So if you didn't do that well on the sift you could just prep another one. For me I will be using 3 from the application form and 2 fresh ones.
Also did you notice how all the questions Wandafish was asked were based around building capability!!! - how strange lol