[mr_maroon]

Through to the TiB FSB on April 17, genuinely having to pinch myself. Does anyone have a reasonable estimate for vacancies/remainign applicants? The 2010 report seemed to indicate that of 42 people who showed, 29 were offered positions - I like them odds!

Also, I've been wondering about FSBs: Are they essentially another FSAC, in that they're looking for the 'best talent', or are they just ensuring that the applicant is at home with the stream they're going on and can handle more specific concepts that wouldn't have been brought up in FSAC?

Either way, I'm pumped!

[dblue]

(Original post by richardp2020)
I'm not applying for GFS, so somebody else can confirm this, but I think you get placed to a department first, before been placed in a specific office. You could discuss this at the meeting with the HR person. Unfortunately the Fast Stream website is pretty clear about the fact that you have to be prepared to get placed anywhere, I hope it works out for you though

Oh, ok, didn't think of that possibility. Thanks! I'll give it few more days see if any one else has any advice and just send my options next week and hope for the best!

[Lady Justice]

(Original post by dblue)
Oh, ok, didn't think of that possibility. Thanks! I'll give it few more days see if any one else has any advice and just send my options next week and hope for the best!

Hi. It might be different for me because I'm an analytical stream (i.e. don't need as much direct contact with ministers), but I originally got placed in Newport, and that fell through last week. The head of my stream called me up and basially said that if I REALLY wanted Bristol/ South Wales etc, I could just wait until a vacancy arose. In the end I've gone for London because I need to start work in September for the sake of my bank balance!! My only "commitment" is my boyfriend who is applying for phds and probably won't know where in the country he will be until maybe August, so it seemed silly holding out for him. I'm hoping that within a couple of years I will be able to move to a more convenient location if he isn't down south. If you really do/ don't want to live in London then I'm sure they'll respect that, I got the impression that they are fairly human and flexible.

[shellybean01]

(Original post by dblue)
Thanks for that!
I've read that too but was still a bit worried. I'm not sure if my reasons will be valid from their perspective as it's pretty much wanting to be there just for a couple of people in my life who are there. So a bit tricky to formulate that into a valid reason.

I was thinking of just putting London and South East as location preference and not make use of the option to choose three locations, do you think that's a bad idea?..as in I'm afraid they might think I'm not being flexible and decrease my chances of being offered a job..

Hiya I am on the HR stream and I only put one location preference down which was North West, and I have now been assigned to HMRC In Manchester just waiting to go in and have a chat with them. I think if you just put 2 that will be fine considering most of the jobs are over that way anyway.

[richardp2020]

Agreed, it would be far more likely in the opposite situation in my opinion, if you were to request position in a specific area out of London.

[obamtl]

(Original post by mr_maroon)
Through to the TiB FSB on April 17, genuinely having to pinch myself. Does anyone have a reasonable estimate for vacancies/remainign applicants? The 2010 report seemed to indicate that of 42 people who showed, 29 were offered positions - I like them odds!

Also, I've been wondering about FSBs: Are they essentially another FSAC, in that they're looking for the 'best talent', or are they just ensuring that the applicant is at home with the stream they're going on and can handle more specific concepts that wouldn't have been brought up in FSAC?

Either way, I'm pumped!

I'm also in for the 17th. Maybe we can arrange to meet before/after the event.

[obamtl]

(Original post by richardp2020)
Agreed, it would be far more likely in the opposite situation in my opinion, if you were to request position in a specific area out of London.

Agreed. I think you would more likely have problems with placement if you want a location OUTSIDE London. If you put London as your preference, odds are you'd get it. Now, if you put Wales or Scotland as your preference, there may be fewer places in those locations than requests.

[dblue]

(Original post by obamtl)
Agreed. I think you would more likely have problems with placement if you want a location OUTSIDE London. If you put London as your preference, odds are you'd get it. Now, if you put Wales or Scotland as your preference, there may be fewer places in those locations than requests.

Thanks for the replies guys!

Tbh, in my panic it didn't even cross my mind that actually there might be a considerable number of people requesting outside London. Silly me, I'm not from the UK and the only place where I can see myself living is London and I keep forgetting that not all people here want to be in London

So thanks, I'm a bit less worried now, I'll send my options and hopefully will be ok!

[ciara]

Bit late to reply about results (had a bit too much fun this weekend...) but just thought I'd post that I was unsuccessful for CD with 16.5, which it looks like is no more than 0.8 off the pass mark. Annoyingly close, although not as close as some others on here!

The feedback report is good though, and much more positive than I was expecting. I did worst in the e-tray written exercise (standard) and best in the policy briefing (which I was most worried about before the FSAC).

Bit stuck on whether to reapply next year. I suppose I will but right now I don't think I can go through such a drawn out process again!

Well done to everyone that got through. Can't believe there are people still waiting, that is ridiculous, but good luck to you too.

[ciara]

(Original post by dj_macky)
Could you guys who have attended FSAC please tell me whether the assessor at the interview asks examples from only two competencies or all six competencies. Thanks.

The interview questions are all based around learning & improving, and building productive relationships. None of the other competencies are tested.

[obamtl]

(Original post by ciara)
Bit late to reply about results (had a bit too much fun this weekend...) but just thought I'd post that I was unsuccessful for CD with 16.5, which it looks like is no more than 0.8 off the pass mark. Annoyingly close, although not as close as some others on here!

The feedback report is good though, and much more positive than I was expecting. I did worst in the e-tray written exercise (standard) and best in the policy briefing (which I was most worried about before the FSAC).

Bit stuck on whether to reapply next year. I suppose I will but right now I don't think I can go through such a drawn out process again!

Well done to everyone that got through. Can't believe there are people still waiting, that is ridiculous, but good luck to you too.

This isn't usually advertised, but once the process is complete, Parity will contact you (unless you specifically stated that you do NOT wish to be contacted) and offer you the opportunity to take up a job in the private sector. They work as a recruitment agency, and since you have been through the FSAC and done so well, and they know you to an extent, from all the data that they have on you, they can offer you up to other companies.

Scoring so high, you'd be one of their prime candidates.

[ciara]

(Original post by obamtl)
This isn't usually advertised, but once the process is complete, Parity will contact you (unless you specifically stated that you do NOT wish to be contacted) and offer you the opportunity to take up a job in the private sector. They work as a recruitment agency, and since you have been through the FSAC and done so well, and they know you to an extent, from all the data that they have on you, they can offer you up to other companies.

Scoring so high, you'd be one of their prime candidates.

This is interesting...how do you know this? And has anyone else been contacted about other opportunities?

I can't remember what I put on my application, but I would think I put that I would be happy to be contacted.

[Evidza]

You can check what you opted for - including publicity of your success to your old unis - in the application form section.

[obamtl]

(Original post by ciara)
This is interesting...how do you know this? And has anyone else been contacted about other opportunities?

I can't remember what I put on my application, but I would think I put that I would be happy to be contacted.

They contacted me last year, after the FSAC. I turned them down then.

The letter came in on May 18 last year.

[richardp2020]

They contacted me as well last year although nothing really came of it, one of their consultants sends you an e-mail and you have to send them a cv and a few details of where your career interests lie.

[Chiryu]

(Original post by mr_maroon)
Also, I've been wondering about FSBs: Are they essentially another FSAC, in that they're looking for the 'best talent', or are they just ensuring that the applicant is at home with the stream they're going on and can handle more specific concepts that wouldn't have been brought up in FSAC?

I've got mine next week as well, but not on the 17th.

Make sure you read the Guide to the TiB FSB - it's a practical exercise followed by 45 minute interview.

In the practical exercise (where you provide a 10 minute briefing on a case study) you need to demonstrate:
1) an understanding of how technology can change government’s interaction with the public
2) a sound grasp of how technology can be harnessed to achieve large-scale business change
3) an aptitude to work within a technology environment and understand the technologies involved
4) a drive for results and the capacity to apply project management techniques in your work
5) an ability to build business relationships across traditional boundaries

In the interview, you'll be questioned on these areas (in a competency-based way - note the key words of "drive for results" "build business relationships" etc.), and then they will also be "exploring your interest and commitment to the TiB Fast Stream."

It's probably a good idea to recall the three additional competencies that were listed on the TiB stream page, namely that candidates should have:
1) a strong interest in technology (though your degree does not necessarily need to be IT related)
2) the aptitude to understand and use technology
3) an appreciation of how technology can change Government’s ways of working and interaction with citizens and businesses

It seems that general aptitude and willingness are important here, and they don't really care much about your actual technical background (if any) - and indeed TiB no longer requires you to have a technical degree (when it launched in 2006, you needed a 2.1 or better, or postgrad in one of the following broad fields: business, engineering, librarianship, mathematical science, physical science, technology or IT management for business)

FWIW, I'll be preparing by looking at examples of how government departments interact with the public, and recent news relating to IT/technology projects and policies, as well as finding out about project management techniques etc. but just in a broad big picture overview (I know that the government IT projects tend to use the Prince2 methodology, but I know absolutely diddly squat about what it actually is). I've also read through the FastStreamers blogs at http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/Blog/ to get a feel for what the TiBbers do on a day-to-day basis.

Some links recommended by one of the TiB FS bloggers (Emma Gawen):
http://www.publications.parliament.u...m/715/715i.pdf
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/reso...-not-evolution

To be honest, I'm not sure how helpful any of this will be, as I've never been to one of these before, either. But I'm intrigued enough to want to read around a bit, so whatever! :P

As an aside, I wonder why TiB (and the analytical branches) have a prerequisite of 2.1, whereas all the other options (aside from the specific case of Economist in FCO) have an entry requirement of a 2.2...?

[more tea vicar?]

Given the excellent piece by Chiryu on the TiB FSB above, can anyone do the same for the FCO FSB with any tips & hints not in the guide, practice examples?!

[richardp2020]

(Original post by Chiryu)
I've got mine next week as well, but not on the 17th.

Make sure you read the Guide to the TiB FSB - it's a practical exercise followed by 45 minute interview.

In the practical exercise (where you provide a 10 minute briefing on a case study) you need to demonstrate:
[i]1) an understanding of how technology can change government’s interaction with the public
................................ ........

Well with the scarcity of information on the TiB FSB, it looks like everybody will be using those examples now

(Original post by Chiryu)
As an aside, I wonder why TiB (and the analytical branches) have a prerequisite of 2.1, whereas all the other options (aside from the specific case of Economist in FCO) have an entry requirement of a 2.2...?

TiB needed specialist knowledge, as the analytical streams still do. I guess HMG just wanted the best people in their specialisms. TiB has removed the technology requirement, so perhaps the 2:1 requirement is a legacy of before the change.

[pete85]

Hi all,
Found out in the last release of results on Thursday that I've been successful for Central Depts. So having filled out the relevant forms, I'm just waiting for the Criminal Records declaration form and Disclosure Application to come through the post before sending them back - just a couple of questions if anyone can help:

Can anyone tell me what the Disclosure Application Form involves?

Also, while I know the website says it will take around 2 weeks for a dept to get back to us, can people who've gotten their documents back to Parity confirm if this is a realistic time-frame? I ask both these questions as I need to make arrangements with my employer and what to do about my training contract etc., would be better (and probably cheaper) to do so sooner rather than later! Parity were rather vague on the phone on Thursday.

Thanks!

[richardp2020]

Does anyone know if there is an open day for TiB or does the FSB take the place of it?