Fast Stream 2012

Hey, I've got a question for you, or indeed anybody else! So as I understand it after passing the numerical and verbal there are competency/motivation questions? Even if not I expect this type of thing would be talked about interview..

So before the general election I was quite heavily involved in helping with a local candidates election campaign, I know civil servants need to be politically neutral so I'm wondering should I mention this or not?

I am providing this service, as I feel that sitting civil servants who are looking to upgrade to "Fast Stream status" have an unfair advantage in this area over new grad applicants. This should hopefully level the playing field somewhat.

How? Since the application processes are run separately at different times of year how does it effect the balance in any way?

Also aren't you just going to give an unfair advantage to those who follow this thread and message you?

Or are you willing to do it for all 10,000 applicants?

I'm willing to give the advice to people when they're at the EAC/FSAC stage, there will be far fewer people then.

I was told at my 2nd FSAC that certain departments would run "FSAC prep" sessions for sitting civil servants, to give them a dry run on events in the day. Graduates don't get anywhere near this level of preparation. Clearly I won't be able to help everyone, but better to help some than none.

I'm saving up now to do a masters, but I think the sad reality is isthat I'm going to have to take out a hefty loan

My dream would be to be given Romania or another Eastern european country to familiarise myself and just learn the total history, language and culture of the place: develop an understanding of somewhere so totally that it could be home! And I LOVE eastern europe!!

How about you?

Might aswell wade into the thread at this point.

I'm a current GES fast streamer. I'm willing to provide quite detailed tips both on EAC prep and FSAC prep when people get to this stage in the Fast Stream assault course. Naturally, this will be requested/sent via PM. I am providing this service, as I feel that sitting civil servants who are looking to upgrade to "Fast Stream status" have an unfair advantage in this area over new grad applicants. This should hopefully level the playing field somewhat.

Also, to those aiming for DS, I'd just like to point out that it is VERY difficult to get into and not to set your heart on it. Don't quote me on this, but I believe they took as little as one DS economist on in the most recent competition in 2011.

Oh and of course, the best of luck to you all. It took me 2 attempts to get in, so don't get too downheartened if you don't get in at the first try... there's always next time.

Subbing to follow thread. I'll ideally be applying for Diplomatic in autumn 2012 but need my undivided attention on my degree at the moment.

I've also joined the mailing list and plan to attend events of three think tanks I have found extremely helpful in giving a background to foreign policy: the UCL European Institute and the Centre for European Reform for EU-related affairs, and the UK Foreign Policy Centre for general UK foreign relations and analysis on policy. I'd say my particular area of interest is UK-UN P5 relations and UK policy affecting relations with the rest of the P5.

I can highly recommend all three of these to other users, especially the FPC for its excellent new report on the relationship between the Coalition and the EU.

My department does this and I agree with you that it's unfair. However some 'graduates' will also have received practice at fast stream recruitment events (which I don't bemoan), and I guess it comes down to a cost-benefit issue for the department.

Yet I don't see why you'd want to offer advice in private, as general advise can be posted here for all to benefit from, and you're not going to be able to offer people individualised advise based on their own weaknesses. I reckon the best way to approach FSAC (in particular) will vary hugely depending on personality. Apologies for asking, but I trust there's no issue around payment?

payment?

I've already helped many people in regards to their uni applications for economics, job applications, hell I've even had PMs asking me relationship advice.

If this was my source of income, I'd soon be on the streets.

I'm doing it via PM, because I'm not sure I "should" be doing it. Whether I'm compromising the process at all, because it'll be quite detailed advice, some of which is just a personal reflection of mine on the quality of the process full stop.

I've already been recognised at work by someone else who uses TSR. And also please be advised that the Fast Stream recruiters WILL be checking this thread.

Applications open tomorrow!

Although I'm still not going to apply for a couple of weeks as I really need to sharpen up my maths, looking from practice tests and a book I got it's really nothing more than GCSE level stuff but I just need to remember the stuff I forgot since all that time ago. Fractions, mean/mode/median, percentages etc.

Applications open tomorrow!

Although I'm still not going to apply for a couple of weeks as I really need to sharpen up my maths, looking from practice tests and a book I got it's really nothing more than GCSE level stuff but I just need to remember the stuff I forgot since all that time ago. Fractions, mean/mode/median, percentages etc.

Same same..which department do you want?

I'm also waiting a week or so until I'm back at uni. I'm working full time at the moment and haven't got the mental energy to start practising maths tests when I get home. I really want to make sure I pass them. I'm kind of impatient to get going but I know I need to wait until I'm sure I've got the time to commit to doing well.

Applying to the Foreign Office although I know I have little chance of getting in. I'm doing History and Politics, I love learning about foreign cultures and also learning foreign languages and I really want to see the world. Plus my degree means I keep up with current affairs so it's really an ideal job for me. Obviously Central Departments as the secondary choice, where I wouldn't mind working at the Home Office but we can't be picky I know the odds against me though, I'd consider getting to the assessment centre a real achievement imo.



Pretty much exactly how I feel, I have a preliminary dissertation report to get out of the way then I'll dedicate a few days to revising a few of the maths things I need to jolt my memory about and then I'll give it a shot.

How come you think this?

Yeah I was thinking that we should list good sites for practice tests..apart from the one you can find on the site!