Waiting for security to join the civil service

andrewm1981

This is a minor rant, but if you've been through the same process then tell me it worked out well for you and I'll be happier!

I left my job a while ago and have got a job with the civil service, working in a semi-important role in central London. I'm really excited about the job, but the security checks are taking so long. The process is unbelievable!!

The deadline for application was June, interview was July then 2nd stage interview August, offered the job in September, and now it's 8-14 weeks for security. That's January!!

I know government jobs and processes can take a long time but....... Really?!

And I guess they could turn around and say that I've failed security (not that there's any reason for me to!) and I'd have wasted 6 months waiting! I'm really excited about the job, otherwise I'd have given up by now!

I've signed up to some market research companies... DIY'd the house, got fit, everything.

Any other suggestions for what I can do for 2/3 months?! :-(

marlot

What level of vetting are you going through?

DCFC79

Get a job over the xmas period.

TELLIT01

Welcome to the not so wonderful world of the civil service. You are discovering that the wheels move exceeding slow in their world. Vetting does take time though, dependant on the level required.
The other side of the coin is that when I worked at DWP they took on a load of apprentices before the security checks had been completed. One was shown the door immediately the results came through! Bad enough where only comparatively low security info was accessible, but could be 10 times worse in high security areas.

andrewm1981

Hi,

It's the "Security Check" level, such from my research is the 2nd highest out of 4. I entirely understand and appreciate that these checks need to be done, and am pleased they are. There just must be a..... Quicker way!

I'm not sure it's worth getting a new job whilst waiting. Well, if I start in November it's certainly not, maybe more so for January! I've started up my own business whilst I've had this time on my hands so I'll drive that a little more in the meantime.

Conversely my wife started work within 8 days of applying for the job! 2 interviews, start date confirmed and she was in in 8 days!

Andy_L

AIUI the defence vetting service has a large backlog because of their problems in recruiting & retaining staff

TadleyBaggie

Civil Service processes can be dumb at times. A number of years ago I was going on a 7 week business trip to USA and the company would pay for my wife to travel with me. She worked for the MOD and was 2 days short on annual leave, so requested 2 days unpaid leave, they refused. So she resigned. After we returned she then applied for her old job and was accepted, however it then took the best part of 6 months for the security clearance to be completed.

Elfbert

My partner went through some very high security checking for the govt. just the other month. He was warned it could take 8-12 weeks, but they turned it around in a week and a half! So hopefully yours will be equally as swift.

andrewm1981

Well that's good news, maybe they've cleared the backlog!

Here's hoping..... :-)

Polarbeary

At least it's not DV level - that can take 6 months!