[glittergulch]

(Original post by sultaniacs)
The key thing to remember about the Fast Stream is that it's all about first impressions. Your supposedly the next generations of top civil servants and diplomats.

So polish yourself up before you go in for the interview and you need to seriously know your stuff when you get to the interview stage.

Questions include:

What do you know about the Fast Stream internship?

What is the Civil Service code?

Who is the current Cabinet sec, why is he important?

The questions are open-ended and are there to test your knowledge. Also, if your really unlucky you'll be interviewed by psychologist - who probes like E.T.

I initially thought I did quite poorly and had no idea that I would make it. Turns out my personality and extremely strong test scores were good enough to push me through.


And be warned, I only met ONE intern from a crap uni. Everyone else was from a top 20 university (mostly Russel Group and University of London). So they tend to filter out the dummies.

Hi! What department were you working in, and what kind of tasks were you doing? Do you have any further advice for the interview stage? Sorry about all the questions - I'm just keen to land this one

[MissC.87]

I found out last week I was successful. Anyone else had good news?

[MagicNMedicine]

(Original post by sultaniacs)
The key thing to remember about the Fast Stream is that it's all about first impressions. Your supposedly the next generations of top civil servants and diplomats.

So polish yourself up before you go in for the interview and you need to seriously know your stuff when you get to the interview stage.

Questions include:

What do you know about the Fast Stream internship?

What is the Civil Service code?

Who is the current Cabinet sec, why is he important?

The questions are open-ended and are there to test your knowledge. Also, if your really unlucky you'll be interviewed by psychologist - who probes like E.T.

I initially thought I did quite poorly and had no idea that I would make it. Turns out my personality and extremely strong test scores were good enough to push me through.

And be warned, I only met ONE intern from a crap uni. Everyone else was from a top 20 university (mostly Russel Group and University of London). So they tend to filter out the dummies.

I'm sure you are good at making first impressions.

[Nasher and Basher]

A

(Original post by MissC.87)
I found out last week I was successful. Anyone else had good news?

I have as well

[Prince Rhyus]

It's not so much the 'filtering out the dummies' - it's more that historically the civil service has not targeted the newer universities which tend to have a more diverse intake. Accordingly, otherwise able candidates may not even know about the existence of the civil service, let alone the opportunities there are on the Fast Stream. This was something I pushed Cabinet Office to change during my time inside the system.

[fn_101]

To those accepted, do you know what your working pattern is like and how long you'll be intern-ing for? Also any idea of the minimum placement length?

[Nasher and Basher]

(Original post by fn_101)
To those accepted, do you know what your working pattern is like and how long you'll be intern-ing for? Also any idea of the minimum placement length?

You have to speak to your line manager, buts it's 6 to 9 weeks

[fn_101]

Can anyone give a rundown on what the interview was like/how difficult etc? Thanks

[Nasher and Basher]

(Original post by fn_101)
Can anyone give a rundown on what the interview was like/how difficult etc? Thanks

You haven't had an interview yet ??

[fn_101]

Nope, got switched between departments as couldn't make the interview day and they only just got back to me...

[JeanLucPicardMan]

I've been chosen as one of the interns for the MoD this summer. Anybody else? x

[Bella_trixxx]

(Original post by JeanLucPicardMan)
I've been chosen as one of the interns for the MoD this summer. Anybody else? x

Congrats! I had an interview with the MoD but couldn't take up a place as I had a job offer in Moscow which I've taken... best of luck to you though! Let me know what I missed out on

[iheartmondays]

(Original post by sundogs)
Hi, yeah I've applied for this How is your application going?

(Original post by sundogs)
Hiya. I found them very difficult but there are lots of websites which offer practice so I'd advise you take full advantage of those.
Good luck.

How can I prepare for the test? and can you give me the link of the websites please?

(Original post by sultaniacs)
The key thing to remember about the Fast Stream is that it's all about first impressions. Your supposedly the next generations of top civil servants and diplomats.

So polish yourself up before you go in for the interview and you need to seriously know your stuff when you get to the interview stage.

Questions include:

What do you know about the Fast Stream internship?

What is the Civil Service code?

Who is the current Cabinet sec, why is he important?

The questions are open-ended and are there to test your knowledge. Also, if your really unlucky you'll be interviewed by psychologist - who probes like E.T.

I initially thought I did quite poorly and had no idea that I would make it. Turns out my personality and extremely strong test scores were good enough to push me through.


And be warned, I only met ONE intern from a crap uni. Everyone else was from a top 20 university (mostly Russel Group and University of London). So they tend to filter out the dummies.

You need to stop giving out misleading information about universities in which the cs recruits from. I have sent your comment to the HR department and hopefully they will find who you are personally and deal with you. You should no better than to make such statements - I assume posting bs like this was one of the warnings in your contract under the social media ish.

[JeanLucPicardMan]

(Original post by iheartmondays)
How can I prepare for the test? and can you give me the link of the websites please?



You need to stop giving out misleading information about universities in which the cs recruits from. I have sent your comment to the HR department and hopefully they will find who you are personally and deal with you. You should no better than to make such statements - I assume posting bs like this was one of the warnings in your contract under the social media ish.

Was that really necessary? By all means point out that they are mistaken but reporting them in an effort to have them "dealt with" is pathetic

[sultaniacs]

I left the Civil Service last Summer, I have a real job representing the good fellows at Accenture. Instead of a request for "dealing with me" ask the guys from HR about the statistics of successful candidates from previous years. The numbers speak volumes. I remember 0 - successful applicants from UEL and the majority of applicants were Oxbridge and University of London.

I have no problem with the CS, it's a fantastic graduate scheme with great opportunities.

However, dummies will have it ten times harder. You'll most probably end up working in a Jobcentre.

So report all you want, the figures never lie.

(Original post by iheartmondays)
How can I prepare for the test? and can you give me the link of the websites please?



You need to stop giving out misleading information about universities in which the cs recruits from. I have sent your comment to the HR department and hopefully they will find who you are personally and deal with you. You should no better than to make such statements - I assume posting bs like this was one of the warnings in your contract under the social media ish.

[Nasher and Basher]

(Original post by sultaniacs)

However, dummies will have it ten times harder. You'll most probably end up working in a Jobcentre.

Really ??

[Prince Rhyus]

Some of you may be interested in the summer internships at the Institute for Government at http://www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.aspx?jobid=34966

[iheartmondays]

(Original post by sultaniacs)
I left the Civil Service last Summer, I have a real job representing the good fellows at Accenture. Instead of a request for "dealing with me" ask the guys from HR about the statistics of successful candidates from previous years. The numbers speak volumes. I remember 0 - successful applicants from UEL and the majority of applicants were Oxbridge and University of London.

I have no problem with the CS, it's a fantastic graduate scheme with great opportunities.

However, dummies will have it ten times harder. You'll most probably end up working in a Jobcentre.

So report all you want, the figures never lie.

You're pathetic, I hope you're made redundant.

[sultaniacs]

(Original post by iheartmondays)
You're pathetic, I hope you're made redundant.

Don't hate mate. I worked extremely hard to get into a VERY good university and gain a graduate position at Accenture.

I'm sure you'll climb up the shelf-stacking ladder.

[OxfordsSweetheart]

(Original post by sultaniacs)
Hi guys,


I was on this scheme last year....I have some hints and tips which I'd gladly share. Just ask!

What university did you go to?