Civil Service Fast Stream 2018/19

Original post by birdman123

Good luck to everyone applying this year! I am starting on the generalist fast stream in October and happy to help answer any questions anybody may have. Last years forum was a major help to myself as I completely understand how nerve-wracking the application process can be! Feel free to either ask on here or PM :smile:

Fellow Generalist! Last year's thread was great :smile:

Reply 103

Quiet Benin

16

****ing lovely.

Failed online tests and got rejected all in the same day applications open. second graduate scheme application failed (first application was NGDP, like civil service but focuses on local government, got blocked in one of the tests). Uni hasn't even started yet...

Good luck to everyone. I'll probably go find a job abroad.

Reply 104

Mushhh

5

Original post by lejazzy

Is the behavioural questionnaire just a multiple choice on your beheaviour? I don’t see how it’s different from situational judgement (haven’t done it yet but did practices online).

The behavioural questionnaire gives statements about your personality, you have to say whether they describe you or not. (things like "I think of myself as a leader" or "I am good at summarising complex information." Then you have to choose which is the least, and the most like you, out of batches of 4 statements.

It's different from the situational judgement because that gives you a fictional scenario and you have to pick which which would be the most effective, and the least effective, responses to that scenario.

There's no way to prepare for the behavioural one, you just have to be honest. I'm intrigued as to what role it plays in the recruitment process.

Reply 105

lejazzy

4

Original post by Mushhh

The behavioural questionnaire gives statements about your personality, you have to say whether they describe you or not. (things like "I think of myself as a leader" or "I am good at summarising complex information." Then you have to choose which is the least, and the most like you, out of batches of 4 statements.

It's different from the situational judgement because that gives you a fictional scenario and you have to pick which which would be the most effective, and the least effective, responses to that scenario.

There's no way to prepare for the behavioural one, you just have to be honest. I'm intrigued as to what role it plays in the recruitment process.

Oh thank you. I think I’ve done one like that before but it was one that if you weren’t consistent- you would fail. There were batches of two statements and you had to pick which one was most like you (ie: I am a strong leader or I like learning) but what I didn’t know is that if I chose ‘I like learning’- I have to pick that in the next batch even if the other option relates to me more. It was so confusing so hopefully this one will be easier! Good luck in your application!!

Reply 106

dejahcarter

Silly question but if appointed on the fast stream is the position HEO equivalent?

Good luck everyone!

Reply 107

dejahcarter

Original post by Airmed

Good luck to you all! I hear Fast Passes are also being confirmed.

Any questions, please ask here or fire me a PM :h:

were you successful on your first attempt? :smile:

Reply 108

Original post by dejahcarter

were you successful on your first attempt? :smile:

Yes

it was a Christmas miracle I tell you

Reply 109

dejahcarter

Aww lovely I hope for the same this year!
Good luck for your new role 🙂

Reply 110

ToastMonkey

8

First time applying for the FS *cough* many years after graduating. I'm feeling pretty excited after reaching the terminal stages of a large Scottish Gov intake. (That process only took 5 months though!)

I've selected Project Delivery, Digital, Data & Technology, Generalist and Commercial.

Does anyone have any info on the location of posts?

Reply 111

Imahilary

Hi,
Please do you find out straight away if you've been successful with the sjt? How many questions are there for the sjt, do you have to do everything in one sitting? How best can you tackle the e tray exercise? Thanks and Good luck to everyone.

Reply 112

Original post by ToastMonkey

First time applying for the FS *cough* many years after graduating. I'm feeling pretty excited after reaching the terminal stages of a large Scottish Gov intake. (That process only took 5 months though!)

I've selected Project Delivery, Digital, Data & Technology, Generalist and Commercial.

Does anyone have any info on the location of posts?

Posts are UK wide. London, Sheffield, York, Manchester, Cardiff, Blackpool, Liverpool, Leeds, Derby, Glasgow, Belfast, I'm even in Dundee! That's all the ones I know off the top of my head. So prepare yourself to be posted quite literally anywhere :smile:

Original post by Imahilary

Hi,
Please do you find out straight away if you've been successful with the sjt? How many questions are there for the sjt, do you have to do everything in one sitting? How best can you tackle the e tray exercise? Thanks and Good luck to everyone.

In some case you can find out straightaway if your mark is particularly high. I would recommend doing them in one sitting. Best advice is TO TAKE YOUR TIME. I have that in caps because it's honestly the best thing to do. Oh and read over everything they give you carefully.

Reply 113

Ok I'm implementing a rep system. If I rep you, then I've answered your questions. If you don't get any rep after a reasonable amount of time, either PM me or quote me and that will nudge me!

Reply 114

ToastMonkey

8

Original post by Airmed

Posts are UK wide. London, Sheffield, York, Manchester, Cardiff, Blackpool, Liverpool, Leeds, Derby, Glasgow, Belfast, I'm even in Dundee! That's all the ones I know off the top of my head. So prepare yourself to be posted quite literally anywhere :smile:

In some case you can find out straightaway if your mark is particularly high. I would recommend doing them in one sitting. Best advice is TO TAKE YOUR TIME. I have that in caps because it's honestly the best thing to do. Oh and read over everything they give you carefully.

Wow! That's quite the range! And can FSers give a preference for location?

Reply 115

Original post by ToastMonkey

Wow! That's quite the range! And can FSers give a preference for location?

for my scheme, generalist, we were asked for 5 location preferences, but they are not guaranteed at all. Trust me on this. I was originally given a placement in Derby which was not a preference for me at all. I was lucky and got it changed due to circumstances.

If you have a good reason not to move from a place, you can apply for a relocation restriction but you could still have to travel for up to an hour and a half away.

Reply 116

WanderingRanger

7

So I have just finished the SJT and the behavioural tests. How long does it take to find out if you've passed them?

Reply 117

Imahilary