I had my three very first Civil Service interviews, and they provided me with some feedback. Could you please answer some questions about them? As this is the first time I am applying for the CS, I am still confused about the whole process.
Any help will be hugely appreciated! I am sending some context alongside the three questions:
CONTEXT
I started applying in February. Applied for 13 roles. Out of the 8 applications which are already processed, 5 were rejected on the sift, and 3 followed to the interview stage.
Rejected on the sift
Project Support Higher Office (Ref: 6374) - HEO - Natural England
Policy Advisers, Delivery Officers and Strategy Support - HEO - MHCLG
Policy Adviser - Energy, Carbon and Overheating - SEO - MHCLG
Programme Support Officer - SEO - Department for Business and Trade
Senior Policy Advisor, R&D Reform and Coordination - SEO - DSIT
Progressed to interviews
- Senior Adviser - SEO - MHCLG
Feedback: You have reached the required standard but we’re unable to offer you a job immediately. We have placed you on a reserve list from which future appointments may be made.
Behaviours (out of 5): Communicating and Influencing - 4 Changing and Improving - 2 Seeing the Big Picture - 3 Working Together - 3
Strengths (out of 4): Influencer - 4 Problem Solver - 4 Challenger - 4 Negotiator - 3
- New Towns: Planning, land, and Development Corporation Establishment Adviser - SEO - MHCLG
Feedback: You have reached the required standard but we’re unable to offer you a job immediately. We have placed you on a reserve list from which future appointments may be made.
Communicating and Influencing: 3 Making Effective Decisions: 2
Influencer (Strength): 4 Problem Solver (Strength): 3
- Environment Group Policy SEO - SEO - DEFRA
Still awaiting for interview feedback.
QUESTIONS
Out of the 8 applications I already had results from, 2 of them were HEO level and were rejected on the sift. The interviews I had were for three SEO positions. I thought that if I am qualified for an SEO position, I would consequently be an outstanding candidate for an HEO position. It doesn’t make sense to me that I was rejected in the sift for a HEO Policy Adviser position at the MHCLG (Policy Advisers, Delivery Officers and Strategy Support - HEO - MHCLG), yet I was invited for an interview for a SEO Adviser position at the same department (Senior Adviser - SEO - MHCLG). Does the Civil Service eliminate candidates who are overqualified for the positions they are applying for? Does that mean I am better suited to SEO positions and shouldn’t apply for HEO roles?
What are the minimum scores I should be aiming for in the positions I am applying for? I am aware that a score of 2 is low, and I have already corrected my example to cover the missing parts of Making Effective Decisions. I will see the outcome of this new strategy when I get the feedback from the DEFRA interview. However, I am not sure if I can manage getting a role with a mix of 3-4 scores, or if I should aim for only 4 results.
I am not sure how positive I should be about being on the reserve list. How often are people invited for appointments on this list? Should I still consider the ball rolling for those vacancies (the two of them are in the MHCLG), or is it better if I only focus on upcoming applications?