HMRC 042R Officer Caseworkers (External) October 2016

Oh no! Hopefully you'll feel a bit better in the morning and still do well, good luck 🍀

I had an interview in Belfast last Tuesday, 1st Nov - no news since.
I know they'll be interviewing at least until 3rd week of Nov.

Can anyone recall the number of positions advertised as available in Belfast? - Was it 30?

I had my interview today in Bradford (for Leeds office).

They asked me questions on three competencies, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace and Collaborating and Partnering. There was not a question for Managing a Quality Service.

The Collaborationg and Partnering question really threw me. I'm pretty sure they made a mistake. I've emailed to ask how they're going to deal with it.

Hi Dan Are you serious about being asked about Collaborating and Partnering? Did you question them that this was not in the application? Did they mention anything relating to this being a different competence?

Yes, seriously.

I mentioned when they asked that it wasn't one of the competencies I was expecting from the guidance but the guy just shrugged it off. Because it was the 2nd question I thought there was a chance that they were going to ask me 4 questions so I went along with it.
By the end, I guess because of nerves, I was questioning my own prep. It wasn't until I got chance to double check the guidance that I believed it had happened!

I think they did the same with another couple of candidates I spoke to afterwards.

Still no response to my email yet.

I dont know why people are making such a fuss!!!
Its an interview, they can assess you however they like. You should prep enough to be able to answer any competancy they ask.
Sorry to be so harsh but your applying for a 30k job and expecting them to hand it to you on a plate?? Seriously!!![/QUOTE

Excuse me! That's not very helpful. I don't think anyone has said anything to suggest it to be handed on a plate. In fact I would say making a point of discussing on this thread, quite the opposite?

The point of being asked about a competency that was not in the guidance is a very fair one. it is not giving a level playing field.

Yes, I agree, it is not a level playing field. Welcome to the real world

I very much doubt anyone is expecting them to hand it to us on a plate. However, the fact that they focus so much on the FOUR competencies for THIS role and so much on the Guidance Pack, constantly referring us to them, they should make a point of saying that ANY competencies could be assessed. They haven't - they said there are FOUR competencies for this role, not four plus any others that they choose. So to be asked a completely different competency that has not even been mentioned in their precious guidance pack is ridiculous really and totally unfair. Oh, they also made a point of stating that the interview process has to be as fair as possible. Just to clarify

the are running the external campaign so that they can get the best talent so they have not reserved any positions for internal candidates. they have a same merit list for both internal and external candidates and based on the top scorers will inform both external and internal candidates the final outcome.

I dont know why people are making such a fuss!!!
Its an interview, they can assess you however they like. You should prep enough to be able to answer any competancy they ask.
Sorry to be so harsh but your applying for a 30k job and expecting them to hand it to you on a plate?? Seriously!!![/QUOTE

Excuse me! That's not very helpful. I don't think anyone has said anything to suggest it to be handed on a plate. In fact I would say making a point of discussing on this thread, quite the opposite?

The point of being asked about a competency that was not in the guidance is a very fair one. it is not giving a level playing field.