Civil Service Job Interview - I never do well

Lily1971

Hi there
I have my interview tomorrow and wondered if anyone could pass on any types of questions that I may get asked? I always seem to prepare well but then find my prep doesn’t seem to cover what they ask. It always seems to cover an aspect but twist the question so that it’s hard to answer.
Its only an AO job but it would mean the world to me (I would be skipping around the room) if I was offered it.

I always think that because they just score you, it kind of makes it that any wealth of experience you put on your application form - means nothing.

Lily1971

Something else as well. I haven’t got loads of examples I can use. I know them but it’s hard to speak them in a worded answer and it’s difficult to know whether I have to say a specific date - “In 2015 I came across .........example”
or 
“I have had this issue many times before and to solve this I would...... example”

Some of my examples are not absolute specific rather they’ve occurred and I did this and that.

Are interviewers for the CS looking for absolute specifics - or that you have done such in such and this happened

hopefully you get what I am trying to convey.

CocoM2020

You need to listen to what they are asking, take a minute and think your answer out in your head before you speak. Don’t waffle - be precise, clear and make sure it’s relevant to the question. You need to sell yourself. 

Brynsam

Steer clear of the phrase 'wealth of experience' which is generally far too vague to have any meaning. If you have a modest amount of relevant experience it beats any amount of general experience!

You say you always prepare well, which suggests you've done quite a few such interviews. Are you perhaps jumping in too quickly with your answer, instead of composing your thoughts, reflecting on what you've been asked, and then responding? Taking a sip of water before you reply gives a natural, but not too lengthy, pause for thought.

Have you googled on 'Civil Service questions' and made full use of the various websites which pop up?

Hope it goes well for you.

Lily1971

It’s my 2nd post which confuses me too

Wyndham

You might find STAR useful - Situation, Task, Action, Result.  Something like this may help: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-the-star-interview-response-technique-2061629

They are after specific examples, and while it's good if you've changed the world, it could be something relatively small instead.  If you have done something several times, then you may want to start with 'frequently I..... but then go on to... as a specific example.....'  that way you show some breadth, while also giving them the examples they need.

Good luck!

theoretica

What you put in the application got you the interview - far from useless!  Don't be reluctant to repeat things from the application in the interview.

Brynsam

Lily1971 said:

“I have had this issue many times before and to solve this I would...... example”

Saying you have had it 'many times before' is a sweeping generalisation, and the way you've phrased your answer suggests [to an interviewer] you have one solution every time something similar crops up. 

You need to be more specific. How recently have you met this? Give a bit of description of the most recent time it occurred and then be pretty specific about what you did. If your actions didn't quite get the required outcome, don't be afraid to say something to demonstrate that you have been able to learn from your mistakes: 'If I met that situation again now, I'd [outline what you'd do differently] because [explain why]'.

Lily1971

Thanks but the problem is you can’t go into too much detail or that can be wrong. It’s either short or expanded and expanded too much takes time and I end up waffling.

strawb_shortcake

As Wynham says the STAR format is really good and should help with not waffling. 
Important to note if it's a Competency, CV or Success Profile interview as we seem to have a mixture of all 3 at the moment depending on where you've applied.

Brynsam

Lily1971 said:

Thanks but the problem is you can’t go into too much detail or that can be wrong. It’s either short or expanded and expanded too much takes time and I end up waffling.

Then you need to work on focussing rather than waffling.