DWP Recruiting Again - 2012

MakemBill

camelot1971 wrote: »

Thought this might be helpful to those who are going for interview.

The interviewers will be looking for specific examples when answering the question asked. The questions will each be broadly based around each competency. For example, on Leading, you might be asked a question about giving direction or showing integrity. You wont get asked "give me an example where you met the Leading competency!

If your answer falls under Leading, and is a good example, it will hit on most of the descriptors under that competency. Its unlikely you would hit every single one, and the list is not exhaustive, it just helps to mark things.

People will really struggle in the interview if they a) dont actually answer the question asked and b) dont provide a specific example in their answer.

I cant really give away any more than that, if you have understood the competency framework and have a few examples per competency that would cover most of the points you cant go far wrong.

Camelot 1971:
I was asked to give examples of the competencies virtually as written. For example, I was asked to "Describe a time when I lead by example to deliver positive results" and "Could I describe a time when I managed people and performance".

That's not to say that different areas aren't conducting things differently.

[Deleted User]

MakemBill wrote: »

Camelot 1971:
I was asked to give examples of the competencies virtually as written. For example, I was asked to "Describe a time when I lead by example to deliver positive results" and "Could I describe a time when I managed people and performance".

That's not to say that different areas aren't conducting things differently.

There are lots of questions that can be used, and as you said, each district will manage those questions differently. The questions asked in the Gloucs/WOE district were very specific, but still relating to each competency.

[Deleted User]

jamesc1987 wrote: »

For those who have been interviewed, have any of you been asked about how you managed finance? Because I am really struggling to answer that, as I have never been in a position to manager finance as such, and would really not know what to say!

Thats always a hard one, as is diversity. Dont sweat too much if you dont have anything in that area, just make sure your example touches on most of the other areas.

stargazer30

I would just like to say something...(trying to be as diplomatic as possible I might add)

A number of us on here have now been to interview and are trying to be as helpful as possible to those waiting to be interviewed.

Myself and others have answered questions as much as possible, but I think it is unfair to ask for specific questions (which do vary district by district) from others interviewed in your district.

I have been pm'd a number of times for specific questions I was asked, and while I am more than happy to give general guidance, I personally am not willing to give up the questions to all and sundry. It gives people an unfair advantage, and this forum is not meant to be a 'cheat sheet' q and a.

Maybe some posters will not agree with me, but I feel terrible having to reply back and say I won't give them the questions I was asked (met with a pretty aggressive reponse ), as I try to be as supportive as possible.

So, those waiting to be interviewed, please think about the position you are putting those who have been interviewed in by asking for the questions, and perhaps what you might do if the tables were turned.

Thank you

sherrilou

jamesc1987 wrote: »

For those who have been interviewed, have any of you been asked about how you managed finance? Because I am really struggling to answer that, as I have never been in a position to manager finance as such, and would really not know what to say!

hi james

No i wasnt personally asked this at interview but it is under one of the competencies so you need to cover this. You probably do this on a daily basis without realising this. I dont know what your job history is but maybe you could find an example where you helped manage costs/ resources found a way to cut costs in your way of working or found a way to do things cheaper and effectively. Even if it didnt work great try and show what you would do better next time. I was asked about redeploying resources so again you probably can find a time about how you maybe seen something wasnt working correctly ie busy periods vs quiet periods what could you have filled that time with that helped your company job role. I was originally thinking along the same lines as you thinking about managing finance etc and then tried to think out of the box and managed to come up with something

Good luck

MakemBill

How have those of you who have received your interview scores done in comparison to your initial sift?

I had a really good sift (88887) but I'm a tad nervous as I await my interview scores. One thing that was mentioned within a brief for this process which was distributed within DWP (I have friends who sent it to me), was that they would mark your 5 competencies and also your communication skills at interview.

So far I’ve only seen 5 scores and no mention of communication skills. I assume then, that they’re building communication skills into your answers to the 5 questions.

I’ve just been reading the last few pages of posts and would just point out that there are too many people getting hung up about this interview.

The interviewers are trained to find the best in you that you have to offer. They do this with open, leading questions while treating you with courtesy. If they think you’ve got more to add with the right question, they’ll lead you. They fully understand that people have nerves and don’t want to pass a perfectly fine candidate by who may have fumbled their words but in whom they saw a spark which an additional question might ignite. Some interviewers are deadpan, others are humorous. Don’t let their demeanour put you off.

The best advice I could give is take in brief notes about your examples, not War and Peace. Write just enough to jog your memory; maybe 10 key words per competency which can direct you in telling your story. Know your main examples inside out and be confident when you describe them. Take a second example for each competency in case, but don’t get hung up if you can’t find one; or if you think it’s weak. It’s not likely that you’ll need it as they do not know what your first examples were or how they were scored. They will encourage you to use your notes but do not read from them verbatim or keep checking them constantly.

Be relaxed. Drink the water on offer…it buys you time and more importantly calms you down. Maintain eye contact with the questioner but check the writer is managing to keep up occasionally. Not that you really care; it’s just nice to remember they’re there too.

Smile a lot, stay calm and do not ramble. Take breathers between points and allow your points to sink in. There’s plenty of time for crying later if you get rejected. However, even then, remember you did great to get this far.

Good luck everyone!

[Deleted User]

Fully agree with Stargazer30 - please dont ask for specific questions, I think theres enough hints and tips here for anyone to form their own opinion on what kind of questions are likely to be asked.

Souk

MakemBill wrote: »

How have those of you who have received your interview scores done in comparison to your initial sift?

I had a really good sift (88887) but I'm a tad nervous as I await my interview scores. One thing that was mentioned within a brief for this process which was distributed within DWP (I have friends who sent it to me), was that they would mark your 5 competencies and also your communication skills at interview.

So far I’ve only seen 5 scores and no mention of communication skills. I assume then, that they’re building communication skills into your answers to the 5 questions.

I’ve just been reading the last few pages of posts and would just point out that there are too many people getting hung up about this interview.

The interviewers are trained to find the best in you that you have to offer. They do this with open, leading questions while treating you with courtesy. If they think you’ve got more to add with the right question, they’ll lead you. They fully understand that people have nerves and don’t want to pass a perfectly fine candidate by who may have fumbled their words but in whom they saw a spark which an additional question might ignite. Some interviewers are deadpan, others are humorous. Don’t let their demeanour put you off.

The best advice I could give is take in brief notes about your examples, not War and Peace. Write just enough to jog your memory; maybe 10 key words per competency which can direct you in telling your story. Know your main examples inside out and be confident when you describe them. Take a second example for each competency in case, but don’t get hung up if you can’t find one; or if you think it’s weak. It’s not likely that you’ll need it as they do not know what your first examples were or how they were scored. They will encourage you to use your notes but do not read from them verbatim or keep checking them constantly.

Be relaxed. Drink the water on offer…it buys you time and more importantly calms you down. Maintain eye contact with the questioner but check the writer is managing to keep up occasionally. Not that you really care; it’s just nice to remember they’re there too.

Smile a lot, stay calm and do not ramble. Take breathers between points and allow your points to sink in. There’s plenty of time for crying later if you get rejected. However, even then, remember you did great to get this far.

Good luck everyone!

I'm really sorry to ask again, but just to clarify, are you certain that the interviewers will not know of your original written competencies? Again, apologies in advance....

Souk

mommarat

Well must say my situation has now become a complete joke. Just to recap originally B and S marked me all 1s which freaked me out initially but found that was ok because it's not my home district. BC then followed suit and feedback said refer to Brum for feedback who didn't give me any. Had email last week apologising for the confusion neither were my home district. I therefore thought it must be shrops/staffs marking my comps. How stupid I am! Had feedback from S/S today all 1s saying refer to Black Country for feedback. I had withdrawn from B & S. So who the hell is marking my sift they will be recruting again before I know what I have. Must just be me left now

MakemBill

Souk wrote: »

I'm really sorry to ask again, but just to clarify, are you certain that the interviewers will not know of your original written competencies? Again, apologies in advance....

Souk

Souk

The interviewers I had today said in order to be fully impartial, interviewers had no knowledge of examples used for competencies or the scores that you were awarded. They only knew that together, your test and sift had been deemed good enough for you to be there.

That, my friend, is all I can tell you.

Good luck