Civil Service competency help, please!

JacktheKipper

Hi everyone,

Heard back today my application for an AO position with the Civil Service was unsuccessful. I passed the initial VR test but failed the initial sift on the “Making Effective Decisions” competency. There were four questions on the paper application but I’ve fallen at the first hurdle and have no idea how my other answers would have scored because I’ve only had feedback on the first one.

My answer was marked as “moderate” and given a score of 3. I believe answers are marked from 1-7, so 3 is clearly a terrible score!

I’m posting today in the hope someone with experience in CS recruitment would be able to look over my answer/answers and give me some pointers to improve it/them.

Very grateful for any advice given!

Les79

Did you use the STAR technique?


If you want I can have a look at your competency, just send me a PM.

JacktheKipper

Thanks for replying, Les79

I certainly thought I was using the STAR technique. Perhaps not very effectively, though

New to the forum so will take you up on your kind offer as soon as I figure out how!

Thank you

Charlie_1

Hiya I've just come across you're post and I've also applied for an AO position within DWP there are 75 vacancies in total. Just wondering if it was the same one. I haven't heard anything yet apart from being place on reserve list and that I should be getting an update by the end of the week. I completely feel you pain I really struggled to think of a specific competency so if you still need any help just give me a shout

Les79

Charlie_1 wrote: »

Hiya I've just come across you're post and I've also applied for an AO position within DWP there are 75 vacancies in total. Just wondering if it was the same one. I haven't heard anything yet apart from being place on reserve list and that I should be getting an update by the end of the week. I completely feel you pain I really struggled to think of a specific competency so if you still need any help just give me a shout

Sounds like you've done alright up to now Good luck with your job.

JacktheKipper

Hi Charlie,

There were only 3 AO posts available for the position I was going for; 1 permanent and 2 temporary.

Sounds pretty promising you've been put on a reserves list - better than 'unsuccessful'!

Thanks and good luck.

jonnygee2

If you haven't already seen this you can look at the explicit criteria here, relevant to the level of the role you applied for https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/436073/cscf_fulla4potrait_2013-2017_v2d.pdf

Thankfully I believe the civil service are in the process of ditching the absurd competency framework and implementing something that is a bit more human.

Tom99

jonnygee2 wrote: »

Thankfully I believe the civil service are in the process of ditching the absurd competency framework and implementing something that is a bit more human.

They are 'Delivering it at Pace' no doubt.

sodrea

Let’s say for instance you used to be a caseworker and you came across an issue that you could not resolve right away. What did you do to help support your decision making? Did you seek recommendations or did you do any research on guidance or criteria to come up with an appropriate decision? What was your investigation process? It’s basically thinking through implications of your own decisions before coming to a conclusion of how to approach a problem or issue, making sure that you are effective and clear with you decision.

I hope this helps. I got stuck on this myself sometime ago but it’s better to not over think this one. we make decisions all the time!