DWP Reserve list - HEO

Whizzbie

Hi,
After a recent job interview with DWP I have received notification that I was unsuccessful but that I was being held on a reserve list for 12 months.

Does anyone have any information about how the reserve lists work? Or does anyone have any experience of being on a DWP reserve list? Were you eventually offered a job?

I've read on other forums that HEO external roles do not come up very often?

Thanks in advance

sammyjammy

I wouldn't hold your breath, keep looking for other jobs and if something comes off this then great. The likelihood is that the reservist list length will reflect the potential vacancies that might arise so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

The higher your interview scores were the better your chances, your flexibility on where you are willing to work will also impact on any chances you have.

Fingers crossed for you.

Whizzbie

Hiya,

Thank you so much for your reply.
I thought that would be the case really. I'm fortunate enough to currently have a job (although I hate it!) so I think I probably just need to focus on that and take the DWP interview as a fail.
My scores were 7,6,7,6 but I wasn't flexible on location and only provided them with 1.

Thanks again

Leew89

Hi Whizzbie,

Which region was your application for if you don't mind me asking?

I'm also on the HEO waiting list (for the North East region)

Regards

Lee

TELLIT01

I'd be inclined to see the result as a lucky escape! I retired from DWP a couple of years ago and keep in touch with former colleagues. I thought it was bad when I was there, but the horror stories about the way staff are treated now beggar belief. I genuinely wouldn't wish a job there now on my worst enemy.
In reply to original question about how the 'reserve list' works, it's pretty much what it says on the tin. Those who achieved a pass mark, but for whom they currently don't have suitable vacancies, are held on file for a year. If a suitable vacancy comes up they will be contacted, but I wouldn't hold your breath. Where I worked there were a couple of hundred staff but only maybe a dozen HEO's, if that. Nobody can say how soon a vacancy will occur at any particular location.