r/CivilServiceUK

Mostly just. Rant and question. But why isn't the bottom pay bracket for each grade aligned across departments?

For example a HEO at HMRC starts at £37,682 whereas a HEO at home office has different bottom brackets e.g. £38,419 for a HEO learning design business partner

£39,500 for a HEO project support officer

HMRC seems to have a dedicated starting salary regardless of role for each grade.

I also can't understand why Home office grades are on average paid more than HMRC or other sectors when HMRC is the bigger revenue generator.

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

1. 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?

2. 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.

3. 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?

Hello,

Hello,

I want to be economist and I dont know where to start. I have economics degree, graduated in 2019 and when I apply for GES, I get rejected as they ask how I kept my econ knowledge up to date. Any advise for me to be economist in the UK?

Hello All 🙂

I've got a verbal presentation, any tips or important points I should know?

Would it help if I let you know the topic ( Can I?)

Thanks in advance 👍🏼💪🏼