DWP EO Work Coach Application - FAIL!

I've put 3 months of my life into preparing for and applying for one of the DWP Work Coach roles.

I took courses in my own time to gain City&Guilds qualifications in Business Admin, Customer Service and Employability. These were run by the DWP themselves as they were apparently required by the DWP for this specific role.

The employability course was entirely centred on the actual DWP EO Work Coach role and covered everything from mock Situational Judgement Tests, speaking to existing Work Coaches and nailing the Behaviours and Strengths required (Communicating & Influencing, Making Effective Decisions & Managing A Quality Service).

You would think after all this preparation at least an interview would be a given. But no, after a month of 'Thank you for your application. It will be reviewed' I was told yesterday thanks but no. No interview, no feedback, no nothing! 😮

So they took a month, with me checking several times a day, to finally let me know this!

Now here's the thing. The DWP make a big deal about inclusivity and diversity, and that's great, but, after speaking to my course tutor, out of the 20 students to take the above courses, the only ones who got an interview were:

- An Indian Lady
- A Black Man
- A Disabled Woman

Now, I'm all for equality but seriously?! How is that fair? That's just coincidence is it?

The answer is no, it's no coincidence because part of the application process asks some very personal questions including:

- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Disabilities
- Sexual Orientation
- Religious Beliefs
- Did you have free school meals?
- What did your father do when you were 14?
- Do you consider yourself to be from a low social economic class?

So it would appear your CV, skills, qualifications, finely tuned behaviour statements, etc. all mean absolutely nothing if you don't tick at least one of the above boxes so the DWP can fill their diverse workforce quota. And it stinks! 😠

Sorry to break this to you but the SJT was passed. 500 word Communicating & Influencing statement was checked prior to submission by actual DWP Work Coach and Tutor and hit all 7 behaviours and 5 strengths in the STAR format so that argument just doesn't wash.

And yes, since I passed the SJT and Behaviour statement, I did expect an interview. Why would I not? What else did they have to make a decision on if not those?

Hmmmm, I wonder... 🙄

I've put 3 months of my life into preparing for and applying for one of the DWP Work Coach roles.

I took courses in my own time to gain City&Guilds qualifications in Business Admin, Customer Service and Employability. These were run by the DWP themselves as they were apparently required by the DWP for this specific role.

The employability course was entirely centred on the actual DWP EO Work Coach role and covered everything from mock Situational Judgement Tests, speaking to existing Work Coaches and nailing the Behaviours and Strengths required (Communicating & Influencing, Making Effective Decisions & Managing A Quality Service).

You would think after all this preparation at least an interview would be a given. But no, after a month of 'Thank you for your application. It will be reviewed' I was told yesterday thanks but no. No interview, no feedback, no nothing! 😮

So they took a month, with me checking several times a day, to finally let me know this!

Now here's the thing. The DWP make a big deal about inclusivity and diversity, and that's great, but, after speaking to my course tutor, out of the 20 students to take the above courses, the only ones who got an interview were:

- An Indian Lady
- A Black Man
- A Disabled Woman

Now, I'm all for equality but seriously?! How is that fair? That's just coincidence is it?

The answer is no, it's no coincidence because part of the application process asks some very personal questions including:

- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Disabilities
- Sexual Orientation
- Religious Beliefs
- Did you have free school meals?
- What did your father do when you were 14?
- Do you consider yourself to be from a low social economic class?

So it would appear your CV, skills, qualifications, finely tuned behaviour statements, etc. all mean absolutely nothing if you don't tick at least one of the above boxes so the DWP can fill their diverse workforce quota. And it stinks! 😠

Guys i need help with 500 words statement.. i have been banging my head against a wall trying to get it right but one way or the other i am unable to get it right.. people that have succceded.. is anyone willing to share their 500 words statement as an example? if not, i welcome any help. thank you

I've put 3 months of my life into preparing for and applying for one of the DWP Work Coach roles.

I took courses in my own time to gain City&Guilds qualifications in Business Admin, Customer Service and Employability. These were run by the DWP themselves as they were apparently required by the DWP for this specific role.

The employability course was entirely centred on the actual DWP EO Work Coach role and covered everything from mock Situational Judgement Tests, speaking to existing Work Coaches and nailing the Behaviours and Strengths required (Communicating & Influencing, Making Effective Decisions & Managing A Quality Service).

You would think after all this preparation at least an interview would be a given. But no, after a month of 'Thank you for your application. It will be reviewed' I was told yesterday thanks but no. No interview, no feedback, no nothing! 😮

So they took a month, with me checking several times a day, to finally let me know this!

Now here's the thing. The DWP make a big deal about inclusivity and diversity, and that's great, but, after speaking to my course tutor, out of the 20 students to take the above courses, the only ones who got an interview were:

- An Indian Lady
- A Black Man
- A Disabled Woman

Now, I'm all for equality but seriously?! How is that fair? That's just coincidence is it?

The answer is no, it's no coincidence because part of the application process asks some very personal questions including:

- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Disabilities
- Sexual Orientation
- Religious Beliefs
- Did you have free school meals?
- What did your father do when you were 14?
- Do you consider yourself to be from a low social economic class?

So it would appear your CV, skills, qualifications, finely tuned behaviour statements, etc. all mean absolutely nothing if you don't tick at least one of the above boxes so the DWP can fill their diverse workforce quota. And it stinks! 😠

Wow there is a lot of waffling in this thread. Good grief grown men? Arguing? ...@WTF?! There are plenty of jobs just keep trying.


I am a Muslim, female pakistani woman. Who suffers from mental health issues. (That I believe they did not know as I chose not to opt for guaranteed interview scheme).

I went to Uni, studied law did not complete it.
Did 2 months work exp with learn direct.
Some exp with online gaming communities.
Worked in retail, primark, M&S. primark fired me after MH situation. I left m&s due to health and safety issues which caused illhealth/more MH issues.

I have not worked since 2018/2019 I am on limited capability for work. On UC for 4 years. I have very few training/prev work experience I would say.

I did the SJT, did the 500 words passed both. I got a video interview. Which I did and don’t believe I did well on /or amazing. I did ofc use STAR. And experience from all of above including uni. I.e. mooting.

They asked for pre-employment checks, was then declined; but told I would be on a waiting list; tried to get my results, but pre-employment checks ongoing. Next day I got a call saying I was being offered a job. ....

Cannot be sure how or why, but I presume I did very well on the sjt 500 words application assessment interview and was high on the 6 months waiting list. +. My area needs more work coaches. With a possible third site opening (This is a important one (if they need people in that area)-... so) I only put down 2 places to work.

Anyways I start Monday. Alhamdullilah.
Training that is. Still conditional offer awaiting pre-employment checks completion.

(Off-topic: does anyone know the dress code for training/induction/orientation - not even received a call from line manager yet? Is that normal?) @SharonMoxon @Anisablue just curious.

Anyways for OP; it might actually be the case that they want to fill a quota.. but my area is highly multi-cultural tbh. Most my advisors were BAME. A lot of advisors are older.. so they may be trying to get younger people in.

It could be that you were good, but other people did much better? Did they offer a 6 months waiting list? Perhaps they felt you asked too much help from the training they offered rather than being the leader role they require?

Only throwing suggestions out don’t mean to offend.

I do find some of the questions they ask regarding poverty odd, but I believe that is to understand inequalitities in applicants.

I was advised by my first ever few advisors at UC to apply to civil service. Everytime I went on the website it was a confusing mess (personally) and felt like they ask too much. So since this new drive/new Campaign it is being made even easier for people like me that may struggle to apply normally. Atleast it feels that way. So just, because minorities or disabled people have the job you shouldn’t feel neglected.

Amazing well done you! What area/town was this for?

Couple of points......

You would have either failed on your reasoning tests or the behaviour statements, did you get your statements checked for STAR before submitting your application?

Secondly, the CS is for most a tough to get into but once your in your in.

Thirdly, there is a need for diversity within the CS because it just ain't diverse enough.

It seems to me there was an expectation you would get an interview and its beyond my why you even would with that attitude.

I don’t want to sound rude but stop blaming process and try to think what you could work on... what could you improve about your application...

I am white, straight, no disability and I am not from low social background... and still passed all three stages and currently in process of ID check ... and I didn’t do any training courses or so ... literally applied for a role 4 hours before closing time... don’t get me wrong, I still may end up on reserve list.. but I would definitely say I am more humble than you ... I thought my statement was good, however I felt like I failed test and interview (especially interview)... maybe they thought your statement wasn’t strong enough ... or maybe it was too strong ... also don’t forget, just because your coach checked it over and approved it that doesn’t mean the person who was sifting applications had the same opinion as your coach

Absolutely right, couldn't agree more. Like it or not, your application was not up to scratch @wtf!, so this is good advice. Work Coaches per se wil often not have any specialist knowledge of Success Profiles, unless they have studied it and been trained to interview-I have and regularly interview along with internal mentoring for progression.
If you'd like me to take a general look, please send it to me by DM

Hi all, just a quick one.

I’m applying for the Dwp work coach position and I’ve done my 500 words and was just wondering if anyone who has been successful in this process (or similar role within Dwp with same criteria) would look over what I’ve written. Would really love some feedback and guidance. Please pm me and I can send it over! Thanks for your time. Take care all!

Hi there, I haven’t actually done my interview yet, I’ve received the invite but wanted to spend a day prepping for it. So I will update you once I do! I had the same time frame though - passed the SJT and was invited for interview within a few hours. I’m worried about the time frame too. All the posts on here vary so much, I’m worried if I do pass I’ll go straight onto the reserve list! I’m gonna have to stick up prompts behind my laptop to avoid that because I had a different interview today and I forgot the word agitated lol! Can I ask what questions you were asked for making effective decisions, I feel like that’s gonna be where I struggle! Hopefully you hear back soon! Wish you the best of luck!