Application Feedback

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I recently applied for a few Civil Service posts. One is a department I am currently in (but on maternity) and the other is somewhere I worked as a teenager.

My application for both was exactly the same, and is competency based.

I have been offered an interview with the department I am with now. Had good feedback, and was told I evidenced my competencies really well.

The other department returned my application stating 'no evidence in competency, poor application, needs significant development'.

I was flabbergasted at that. Over the years I have applied for many jobs, and my cv has only ever improved. I secure interviews for nearly all the jobs I go for, and any I don't is usually down to technicalities, like not being eligible to apply. But this negative feedback has thrown me.

It just doesn't make sense. I read an re-read my application a few times, and just couldn't see anywhere where I could have improved. I really am not one to big up myself, but my application is very good.

I have contacted the team that displayed the job but am not really getting anywhere. I don't want the job (applied as a back up rather than choice) but I do want constructive feedback, and the feedback I had back was wrong.

What should be my next step? PS: Really not trying to pull a fast one, but there is no way I can be offered an interview for a better paying job, if another department things my application has no evidence, is poor and needs significant development??

bunty109

I had an experience a while back where I applied for a job in house and didn't get an interview in spite of putting in a good application and my manager agreeing. Based on competency I did tick the boxes. 2 years on, and I have moved departments and am on a higher grade than the person who knocked me back. At the time I was hurt and upset and wanted "proper" feedback, but I moved on and I'm glad I just left it.

It's not your mistake, but theirs. Hope you get the job in your department as they obviously see your potential.

Annisele

I suspect one of two things has happened.

It's *possible* that both applications were awful - but the department you're in now pulled you in for interview because they know full well you can do the job.

It's also possible (and IMO more likely) that the other department got you mixed up with somebody else. If that's the case, there's not really much you can do about it - even if you managed to persuade them that had happened, they're unlikely to want to employ somebody who's shown them up to have made a mistake.

Edit: Could also just been that the other department's marking scheme went a bit crazy on the day - but that's another thing you can't do anything about.

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Annisele wrote: »

I suspect one of two things has happened.

It's *possible* that both applications were awful - but the department you're in now pulled you in for interview because they know full well you can do the job.

It's also possible (and IMO more likely) that the other department got you mixed up with somebody else. If that's the case, there's not really much you can do about it - even if you managed to persuade them that had happened, they're unlikely to want to employ somebody who's shown them up to have made a mistake.

Edit: Could also just been that the other department's marking scheme went a bit crazy on the day - but that's another thing you can't do anything about.

I considered the first which is why I read my app back a few times. But hand on heart know that is not the case. And although in the same department, they are in different countries so, it's not like they know me to give me the benefit of the doubt if my app was poor.

It could be that they got it mixed up with someone else. That is the only logical explanation.

I've considered whether it was the way people read my app, as everybody reads things differently. But even with that it just doesn't belong in the lacking in evidence, poor and needing to significantly develop (they are some strong words).

Like I say I am not particularly bothered about the job, it was out of pure desperation as I really need a job when my maternity ends. I just can't get my head around the feedback.

dancingfairy

It sounds very strange, like someone else said, almost like they've muddled you up with someone else.
They may not have shortlisted you for any reason though - maybe the first 5 off the pile met the criteria and so they rejected the others, maybe they wanted something they didn't put in the advert/job spec, maybe there was just something in the application that didn't jump out at them, who knows?
For whatever reason they then didn't progress your application any further - you then got in touch with them for feedback. Now at this stage - they may have lost/can't access your application, they may have muddled you with someonelse or perhaps they are just lazy and send that as a standard,generic thing to people who didn't get through but who ask for feedback.
Yes, it's very annoying and odd but you might never get to the bottom of it. You can spend your energy trying to figure it out, or just be confident in yourself and your abilities and your application, put it behind you and move on.
df

dancingfairy

As a one-off I'd probably ignore it. IF you find yourself having this feedbakc in future then I'd maybe consider whether it had any merit, but given it's one application and a) you seem really happy with your application, b) an identical one got you an interview c) others have got you interviews etc then I'd just let this one go.
df

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Yep I guess you guys are right. I am really proud of my application. I have had some amazing jobs in the past so know my application at least has 'the edge' and not your average mundane admin experience.

... If they genuinely feel that way about my app then I am stumped!

I sent an email about it earlier, so I'll see what I hear back from that. But I probably won't pursue it. Not like I want to work there again.

dancingfairy

Maybe a lucky escape if they are that disorganised/incompetent/or just strange. It doesn't exactly inspire much confidence.
df
Edit: you sound very articulate and confident of your application so I very much doubt you'd have been as bad as they seem to be implying.

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dancingfairy wrote: »

Maybe a lucky escape if they are that disorganised/incompetent/or just strange. It doesn't exactly inspire much confidence.
df
Edit: you sound very articulate and confident of your application so I very much doubt you'd have been as bad as they seem to be implying.

Thank you very much I appreciate that. I hated working there when I did. It is one of those departments that has to exist, but boy was I glad to leave there all those years ago. So mundane, boring and no job satisfaction, and one of the worst departments for internal (and undeserved) promotions. How I ever got up in the mornings I don't know.

But like I said it was an application out of desperation, needs must

tommytynan123

Like you I had worked with the Civil Service competencies for years until I was made redundant 18 months back. Before I left I used to run the Selection / Interviewing courses alongside the trainers and it was always interesting how course members translated application forms alongside competencies. Often massive difference.

What hasn't been mentioned so far is the unfair situation that the job had been earmarked. LMs, in most cases, have to advertise the post but may have already tipped off the person they want (poss friend ?) So the whole process is a scam because those sifting - led by the LM - will find something on your application to reject it - and the same at the interview stage. People may say ''doesn't happen'' - it does!!

Some years back I applied for a post at level transfer (C1) to broaden my skills. One of my colleagues said ''don't bother because Mr XX will get that job'' I had just delivered a successful IIP journey in an organisation of well over 2000 people and one of the major initiatives I had introduced was a 'whole organisation' training evaluation scheme. Didn't get an interview so called for feedback to be told ''I was lacking in evaluation skills''. Mr XX got the job.

Ignore and move on - good luck.:)

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tommytynan123 wrote: »

Like you I had worked with the Civil Service competencies for years until I was made redundant 18 months back. Before I left I used to run the Selection / Interviewing courses alongside the trainers and it was always interesting how course members translated application forms alongside competencies. Often massive difference.

What hasn't been mentioned so far is the unfair situation that the job had been earmarked. LMs, in most cases, have to advertise the post but may have already tipped off the person they want (poss friend ?) So the whole process is a scam because those sifting - led by the LM - will find something on your application to reject it - and the same at the interview stage. People may say ''doesn't happen'' - it does!!

Some years back I applied for a post at level transfer (C1) to broaden my skills. One of my colleagues said ''don't bother because Mr XX will get that job'' I had just delivered a successful IIP journey in an organisation of well over 2000 people and one of the major initiatives I had introduced was a 'whole organisation' training evaluation scheme. Didn't get an interview so called for feedback to be told ''I was lacking in evaluation skills''. Mr XX got the job.

Ignore and move on - good luck.:)

Oh I know that goes on. It's not very fair at all, and the organisation I got rejected on is awful for it. But at least give some decent feedback.

Out of interest if you know. What is the difference between C1 and SEO? Why aren't the grading structures consistent throughout the Civil Service?