[ges123]

Hi all

I think it is a great idea for all the fast streamers 2012 to meet up. Looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I wanted to ask you whether all of you have received your contracts. In my case, though provisionally assigned as an economist to the dept. and successfully completed the pre-appointment checks, I am still waiting for contract and the start date.

Is anyone else in a similar waiting game situation? If you have already received the contract, how long after the checks did you receive them?

Thanks a lot and good luck to all.

[GenerationX]

(Original post by ges123)
Hi all

I think it is a great idea for all the fast streamers 2012 to meet up. Looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I wanted to ask you whether all of you have received your contracts. In my case, though provisionally assigned as an economist to the dept. and successfully completed the pre-appointment checks, I am still waiting for contract and the start date.

Is anyone else in a similar waiting game situation? If you have already received the contract, how long after the checks did you receive them?

Thanks a lot and good luck to all.

Basically in the same boat, assigned to DfID, passed the pre-appointment checks and now waiting on security clearance. This is the beginning of the second week out of a maximum 8 I might need to wait, but it already feels like months.

[oasisstar786]

Hi everyone!

I probably have a really naive question for all of you who have just completed the Fast Stream 2012 application process.
I am really keen on applying for the 2013 process but I'm really concerned about the various numerical tests in the process. I think there are two, Maths has always been a weak point for me, I mean I got an average grade C in my GCSEs but other than that I think academically I've done well, with 340 UCAS points and LLB with 2:1 hopefully.

So can tell me how difficult the numerical tests were. I am really forgetful and haven't looked at maths in a long time, what standard were they and what type of questions. Would really appreciate some guidance.

Also I've read through the thread here and there and it's been mentioned that really extra curricular and specifically experience counts for little, but I'm sure some of you did volunteer and gain work experience, if so what was it?

Please and thank you

[Johnny Luk]

(Original post by ges123)
Hi all

I think it is a great idea for all the fast streamers 2012 to meet up. Looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I wanted to ask you whether all of you have received your contracts. In my case, though provisionally assigned as an economist to the dept. and successfully completed the pre-appointment checks, I am still waiting for contract and the start date.

Is anyone else in a similar waiting game situation? If you have already received the contract, how long after the checks did you receive them?

Thanks a lot and good luck to all.

I have done all the pre-appointment checks, but for BIS, I won't get a final contract till mid August to late August (although I do have a draft version just for reference).

So yeah, just waiting, really want to sign it as I turned down all my other jobs!

And thanks, if you haven't voted yet on a day, please do , because after that I need to find a venue (any suggestions?) and inform HR.

Can't wait!

[Johnny Luk]

(Original post by oasisstar786)
Hi everyone!

I probably have a really naive question for all of you who have just completed the Fast Stream 2012 application process.
I am really keen on applying for the 2013 process but I'm really concerned about the various numerical tests in the process. I think there are two, Maths has always been a weak point for me, I mean I got an average grade C in my GCSEs but other than that I think academically I've done well, with 340 UCAS points and LLB with 2:1 hopefully.

So can tell me how difficult the numerical tests were. I am really forgetful and haven't looked at maths in a long time, what standard were they and what type of questions. Would really appreciate some guidance.

Also I've read through the thread here and there and it's been mentioned that really extra curricular and specifically experience counts for little, but I'm sure some of you did volunteer and gain work experience, if so what was it?

Please and thank you

Hey!

Firstly, do not stress about the numerical test, by the time I did it I forgot most of my maths at GCSE level anyway. So whatever grade you got at GCSE, doesnt matter, that was the past.

You will however need to practise them. There are lots of sources online that you can help, which is set at the level for the civil service:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/tests/mathstest.htm

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/aptit...numerical.htm/

Do take it seriously though, while not difficult, silly errors can cost you marks. Do lots of practising of %, reading graphs, currency conversions, that kind off thing. A lot of people under estimate it and crash out when they would have passed with some practise. If you can do the second link well, above 75% quartile, you should be fine =),

no algebra or standard deviation or anything like that. Do have a scrap piece of paper and a calculator though!

good luck!

JL

[oasisstar786]

(Original post by Johnny Luk)
Hey!

Firstly, do not stress about the numerical test, by the time I did it I forgot most of my maths at GCSE level anyway. So whatever grade you got at GCSE, doesnt matter, that was the past.

You will however need to practise them. There are lots of sources online that you can help, which is set at the level for the civil service:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/tests/mathstest.htm

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/aptit...numerical.htm/

Do take it seriously though, while not difficult, silly errors can cost you marks. Do lots of practising of %, reading graphs, currency conversions, that kind off thing. A lot of people under estimate it and crash out when they would have passed with some practise. If you can do the second link well, above 75% quartile, you should be fine =),

no algebra or standard deviation or anything like that. Do have a scrap piece of paper and a calculator though!

good luck!

JL

Hi JL

Appreciate the reply, thank you! Will look at those areas in an old GCSE maths book!

So we're allowed a piece of scrap paper and calculator, that is a relief! Awesome!

Thank you! Congratulations btw if you were successful!

[ges123]

(Original post by GenerationX)
Basically in the same boat, assigned to DfID, passed the pre-appointment checks and now waiting on security clearance. This is the beginning of the second week out of a maximum 8 I might need to wait, but it already feels like months.

Hi Generation X

May I ask if you had been sent any new forms to be filled out and send back for the security clearance from DfID yet? I have been contacted saying that the new forms would be send, but haven't received them yet. They informed me it will take a maximum of 2 months, but do you know if its 2 months after I send out these forms or from the provisional assignment?

Please let me know.

[GenerationX]

(Original post by ges123)
Hi Generation X

May I ask if you had been sent any new forms to be filled out and send back for the security clearance from DfID yet? I have been contacted saying that the new forms would be send, but haven't received them yet. They informed me it will take a maximum of 2 months, but do you know if its 2 months after I send out these forms or from the provisional assignment?

Please let me know.

Hi Ges

The other day I received a DfID specific version of a couple of pre-appointment forms, basically the identity and crminal record declaration. I also received a conditional offer with a couple of signed declarations to be sent back.

I'm afraid as to the timescale I have just been pondering the same question as yourself. Originally I was quoted 4 - 6 weeks with a maximum of 8, however was this from that point or once they recieved their own forms. As it has been about three weeks from that original indication I thought I would not need to supply anymore information for the SC, but it is still at the basic level. They did mention that it was to finalise the clearance so hopefully since they also sent the conditional offer they have done most of the work and just need the information in their documentation style.

[ges123]

(Original post by GenerationX)
Hi Ges

The other day I received a DfID specific version of a couple of pre-appointment forms, basically the identity and crminal record declaration. I also received a conditional offer with a couple of signed declarations to be sent back.

I'm afraid as to the timescale I have just been pondering the same question as yourself. Originally I was quoted 4 - 6 weeks with a maximum of 8, however was this from that point or once they recieved their own forms. As it has been about three weeks from that original indication I thought I would not need to supply anymore information for the SC, but it is still at the basic level. They did mention that it was to finalise the clearance so hopefully since they also sent the conditional offer they have done most of the work and just need the information in their documentation style.

Hi Generation X

Thanks for your update. I have been informed about the SC forms which will be send out (don't know via email or post) about 2 weeks back. But haven't yet received them. Based on your case, I suppose its another one more week. Will wait on. Have you got a start date yet? Good Luck.

[GenerationX]

(Original post by ges123)
Hi Generation X

Thanks for your update. I have been informed about the SC forms which will be send out (don't know via email or post) about 2 weeks back. But haven't yet received them. Based on your case, I suppose its another one more week. Will wait on. Have you got a start date yet? Good Luck.

Your welcome, hope you hear good news soon. We haven't discussed start dates other than I understand they are keen to get me started. I have to complete a move so from my own perspective a realistic start date would be around the 1st of October, but they may like me to start before that. Its all a bit relative though because I can't really put deposits down on a house untill I get the final offer / contract.

[Johnny Luk]

(Original post by oasisstar786)
Hi JL

Appreciate the reply, thank you! Will look at those areas in an old GCSE maths book!

So we're allowed a piece of scrap paper and calculator, that is a relief! Awesome!

Thank you! Congratulations btw if you were successful!

Thanks, I really appreciate it =)

[TruckBear]

Anybody else just got an email from Parity asking if they are interested in Executive Officer type roles? Also, does anybody know how likely somebody in such a position is to be given a job offer?

[GenerationX]

(Original post by TruckBear)
Anybody else just got an email from Parity asking if they are interested in Executive Officer type roles? Also, does anybody know how likely somebody in such a position is to be given a job offer?

I think this was mentioned before by people from the 2011 intake where the didn't make the FSB. Parity is overall a recruitment company and as they know the Fast Stream process is prettty rigorous there confident in recommending people that have made it to the FSAC for the positions they have in the private sector. How succesful you would be is probably down to how well you do in the interviews the same as any job lead you find yourself.

[comeluckyapril]

Yeah I just got that email! Pathetically excited! I was only maximum 0.26 points off getting the Fast Stream, I'd be interested to find out how many of us rejects they've offered this opportunity to. Trying not to get my hopes up too much, but it would be great to work there for a year and apply again. Have sent my form off already, hopefully we might not have to wait until the deadline (31st August) to maybe hear about some potential posts!

[ciara]

(Original post by comeluckyapril)
Yeah I just got that email! Pathetically excited! I was only maximum 0.26 points off getting the Fast Stream, I'd be interested to find out how many of us rejects they've offered this opportunity to. Trying not to get my hopes up too much, but it would be great to work there for a year and apply again. Have sent my form off already, hopefully we might not have to wait until the deadline (31st August) to maybe hear about some potential posts!

I was about the same number of points off and got the e-mail too. Returned the form and just got a thing today saying a certain department had seen my papers and would like to discuss a vacancy with me further. Someone from that department will contact me directly by the end of the month.

I'm not actually sure I'll take it now as since the Fast Stream I've been offered something else in a different direction, but I'm certainly curious.

Good luck with yours anyway!

[MagicNMedicine]

(Original post by TruckBear)
Anybody else just got an email from Parity asking if they are interested in Executive Officer type roles? Also, does anybody know how likely somebody in such a position is to be given a job offer?

We were talking about this at work a few weeks ago. In some departments they are doing this.

To put it in context, the way the Civil Service grades go (in ascending order) is AA and AO (Administrative Assistant and Administrative Officer), then EA and EO (Executive Assistant and Executive Officer) then HEO and SEO (Higher Executive Officer and Senior Executive Officer) then it becomes numbers, Grade 7, Grade 6, and once you get to Grade 5 and above it is SCS (Senior Civil Service).

Fast Streamers come straight in at HEO, and are 'fast streamed' to be pushed for promotion to Grade 7 within 3/5 years or so, which would take a long time to climb the ranks otherwise.

A lot of EO roles are administrative/organisational roles but can be quite involved. If you're an EO you are basically one rung below where the fast streamers are but you could apply for the fast stream on the in service route and quite a few fast streamers I've met did that.

These days there are quite a lot of EOs that are graduates that just missed out on the fast stream, and basically the same type of high fliers. This means obviously that there is a lot of talent in their teams. I know some policy teams where they have a fast streamer and a couple of EOs with Masters degrees etc that just missed out in the fast stream process and its virtually like having three fast streamers on board. These EOs do get their names known for being good - although that won't help in the fast stream recruitment process!

There are some parts of the recruitment process, particularly e-tray and FSAC, where if you have done a year or even a few months of working within the civil service, you will have an advantage because you may well have done similar exercises at work to what you are given in the assessment centre, so I definitely recommend it.

The argument against, which I've heard people say, is that the Civil Service is taking advantage of the tight job market by trying to pull in more fast stream calibre people and not giving them fast stream salaries and training, so its a way of getting quality on the cheap. But given the job market, a lot of them would be stuck on the dole or in low level admin/customer service roles anyway, so if they are interested in a career in public service far better to get them on board the civil service where they are at least learning useful skills. You can see it as a kind of paid internship, which offers opportunities to meet and network with fast streamers, Grade 7 managers, improve your chances of getting on the fast stream, and learn about government from the inside.

So I think its a good approach to offer EOs to those that missed out.

[fivebyfive]

Hey,

I am going to apply for the research stream for 2013. I got through to the assessment centre last year, but could not attend because of work commitments. I've been doing Teach First, so my research experience is a few years dated now. Will that matter in terms of the assessment centre? Do they assess your technical knowledge?

Thanks.

[obamtl]

(Original post by fivebyfive)
Hey,

I am going to apply for the research stream for 2013. I got through to the assessment centre last year, but could not attend because of work commitments. I've been doing Teach First, so my research experience is a few years dated now. Will that matter in terms of the assessment centre? Do they assess your technical knowledge?

Thanks.

I am not familiar with the Social Research Assessment Centre. If there's a date limit on experience that you can draw from, it will be stated clearly. As for the FSAC, that will not be relevant. You can draw on experiences from whenever you wish, so long as it is relevant to the question asked.

[TruckBear]

I've now received an email saying that a department would like to discuss a vacancy further with me. Good luck to the others who are in a similar position

[fiveup]

The same day that I received a rejection from the faststream, I was contacted by GSS saying I was a near miss and they would like to offer me a position with direct entry. A few days later I received my results, I received results of +/- 3's on all categories except one... on that category, I scored a 1.98, which is an automatic fail. I missed entry by 0.02

I am still waiting for the paperwork to be completed, nearly 8 weeks later... but looking forward to moving forward!