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Civil Service Fast Stream 2009!

Lychee

Ok, sorry for Lurking/ not posting but I have done and passed the online tests now (phew) really did not think I was going to do very well on the NR but either it was a little easier trhan the earlier ones or practising actually helps! I am now facing the new wedge of panic about the next stage. What did people do to prepare before the e tray tests?

Do the practice one online - familiarise yourself with the format (which is basically the same as in the real thing.) Get used to the time limits, including the fifteen minutes you're allowed for intial reading through the info. Other than that, there isn't a great deal you can do, it's kind of deliberately designed to be unpracticeable, as this would kind of defy the point of it. Get a good nights sleep before the etray, and arrive at the test centre in plenty of time... all the usual advice really!

Reply 161

Prince Rhyus

15

If you want to get an understanding of how public services are commissioned and delivered, join your Local Involvement Network - see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HealthAndWellBeing/HealthServices/PractitionersAndServices/DG_071867

This is especially important if you've gone through the school-college-university route. You end up in contact with lots of voluntary organisations and get an understanding of just how much of a handful delivering public services actually is.

Really really good CV points on this on.

Reply 162

MKG

8

This is annoying. I did the online tests ages ago - like more than two weeks ago - and the results are still pending. Not sure how much hope to hold out, really. I know it says on there that you could end up waiting til the end of the application window to hear, but it seems loads of people already have.

Reply 163

Alphie

1

Okay - a question if I may.

I've passed the online tests so now need to finalise what exactly I'm applying for. I'd really like to do Diplomatic Service, but knowing how difficult it is to get in I wondered whether to just go for Central Departments as I'd prefer a FastStream job to none at all. However, the preference system suggests I could just put Diplomatic as my first choice and Central Depts as my second. Surely this is too good to be true and my chances of getting into Central Departments would be much slimmer doing it this way? Thanks.

Reply 164

gt94sss2

5

Alphie

I've passed the online tests so now need to finalise what exactly I'm applying for. I'd really like to do Diplomatic Service, but knowing how difficult it is to get in I wondered whether to just go for Central Departments as I'd prefer a FastStream job to none at all. However, the preference system suggests I could just put Diplomatic as my first choice and Central Depts as my second. Surely this is too good to be true and my chances of getting into Central Departments would be much slimmer doing it this way?

You have correctly understood the preference system - in this sense it is 'too good to be true' (your words :smile:

)

If someone passes the Fast Stream Assessment Centre they are guaranteed a job in a central department as long as that is one of the options they select.

It doesn't matter if they choose one of other options such as the Diplomatic Service/House of Commons etc as a higher preference.

All that means is that if you fail to get one of your higher preferences, your file will then go to the people who allocate 'central' department roles and as I say, you are guaranteed a place in one.

The only slight difference it might make, is to your starting date which may be a month or two later if you make it to one of the Final Selection Boards for one/more of your other options and are then unsuccessful for that option - hence the central department allocation ppl getting your file slightly later than those who passed the FSAC and only initially chose central departments only.

As such, it doesn't matter what options you choose, as long as central departments is your 'bottom' option.

Reply 165

gt94sss2

5

Socmyoligy

Is simply signing up counted as an "application" or does "application" only occur when you complete the main application form?

Signing up counts as having 'registered an initial interest on the Fast Stream website'.

An 'application' is deemed to have been submitted only if a candidate has completed the self-assessment and proceeds to take the online tests.

In 2007, a total of 19,501 people registered an initial interest on the Fast Stream website. However, only 13,619 are considered to have applied.

Hence, quite a few people sign up but then don't take the online test - perhaps they don't like the feedback from the self-assessment tests.. though I would encourage everyone to do the 'real test' regardless of how they appear to do on the 'self assessment' ones..

Reply 166

gt94sss2

5

Just answering these together as they are similar!

Speedbird2008

Okay. Do you want to be a Diplomat then? What would the perfect applicant be like? What qualifications, etc, would they have?

Its a bit late for me - I am one of those posting in this thread who are already on the Fast Stream..

Angelic_19

How competitive is the Diplomatic stream? I have a 2:2 English degree from Queen Mary,university of London. I have extra-curricular activities aswell. However i don't have any govt work experience. Is it essential that i get work experience in the govt first? Or am i eligible enough to apply?

Anyone who has a 2:2 or above can apply for the Fast Stream.

Apart from 1/2 specialist options, it doesn't matter what degree you did or which university you went too..

Work experience in government (local or central) isn't necessary - at the Fast Stream assessment centre, the most important thing is that you display the competency's they are looking for while being assessed.

Having said that - doing some work experience in government might be a good idea. I would say primarily to know what working in the civil service is like and what you might be letting yourself in for if you are successful on the Fast Stream.

Specifically for the Diplomatic Service, if you get as far as the final stage of the FCO selection board then working or travelling abroad are useful to highlight if you have.

However, don't think that everyone who joins the Foreign Office has spent time abroad first - its simply not true! As others have said, there is no typical candidate.

Reply 167

gt94sss2

5

Prince Rhyus

Just one other thing:

Please avoid the obsesssion with the diplomatic services, MoD and the Foreign Office. There are many more opportunities to move sideways into it and you can gain lots of really useful experience in domestic and unfashionable departments before moving sideways.

I wonder if they would be as keen if they knew that the MoD and especially the Foreign Office currently pay some of the lowest salaries (by quite a long way!) in the Civil Service?

Reply 168

Crux

I've just been invited to do the e-tray exercise on the 19th of January 2009 but that's a day before my last exam! On the scheme progress page it only gives you the option to either accept or decline the invitation and not rearrange it for a new date. Ideally I'd like to do it a few days later. What should I do?

Reply 169

Theo1977

8

MKG

This is annoying. I did the online tests ages ago - like more than two weeks ago - and the results are still pending. Not sure how much hope to hold out, really. I know it says on there that you could end up waiting til the end of the application window to hear, but it seems loads of people already have.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm in the same boat. I suspect only (or mostly) those who pass will let us know the outcome; those who fail may be more reticent (although I notice there have been one or two), and those without anything to report are probably unable to type because they have their fingers crossed too tightly...

Okay, so we haven't passed, and every day that goes by lessens the chance of passing. But by exactly the same measure, it lessens the chances of failing, as well! We can just consol ourselves with the thought that we are becoming more and more ... average. :biggrin:

Reply 170

Snap Dragon

Theo, MKG, I now join you in the awaiting results stage. I'll let you all know how it goes when I find out.

Incidentally, I'd agree with the value in finding out how policy delivery works if you are serious about a career with the civil service. I used to work in government policy delivery and now I work for a company with a contract to deliver public sector services, which in itself has been interesting to see the different motivations/pressures/demands in an organisation.

Reply 171

Quady

20

gt94sss2

Signing up counts as having 'registered an initial interest on the Fast Stream website'.

An 'application' is deemed to have been submitted only if a candidate has completed the self-assessment and proceeds to take the online tests.

In 2007, a total of 19,501 people registered an initial interest on the Fast Stream website. However, only 13,619 are considered to have applied.

Yes thats quite right :smile:

(just to clarrify, gt94sss2 is refering to the 2007 competition, so the applications were made in 2006)

Reply 172

Quady

20

Snap Dragon

Theo, MKG, I now join you in the awaiting results stage. I'll let you all know how it goes when I find out.

Incidentally, I'd agree with the value in finding out how policy delivery works if you are serious about a career with the civil service. I used to work in government policy delivery and now I work for a company with a contract to deliver public sector services, which in itself has been interesting to see the different motivations/pressures/demands in an organisation.

Is policy delivery the same as operations?
For my two cents I'd say it would be ideal, but would make very little difference to an application.

Reply 173

Snap Dragon

Rejection. Bummer :frown:

You are right, Quady, the experience doesn't help with the application process (evidently!) but gives a good insight into how policy affects real people or how it works/doesn't work.

Reply 174

Theo1977

8

Sorry to hear that, Snap Dragon. Are you going to try again next year?

Reply 175

Jigglypuff

16

sophisti_kate

Yep, it was okay but pretty hard to tell how you did. Lots of possible 'correct' and 'wrong' answers and few absolute definite ones so who knows?!

Had ages of time in answering the emails, if you're a speedy reader, I reckon you have even some time to come back to them if you don't answer them immediately. I just answered them as they came in, starting with the earliest. Don't know if that counts towards anything!

The hour long writing essay goes pretty quickly, we had to first come up with responses to potential committee/parliamentary questions and then have the classic blue skies thinking bit.

Now a wait until December!

Maybe/probably a stupid question...but what were most people wearing at the e-tray? I'm guessing casual clothes are OK seeing as it's an e-tray and not an assessment centre?

Reply 176

cherno_samba

Jigglypuff

Maybe/probably a stupid question...but what were most people wearing at the e-tray? I'm guessing casual clothes are OK seeing as it's an e-tray and not an assessment centre?

I went straight from lectures and was wearing typical student clother ie jeans, trainers

Reply 177

sophisti_kate

Jigglypuff

Maybe/probably a stupid question...but what were most people wearing at the e-tray? I'm guessing casual clothes are OK seeing as it's an e-tray and not an assessment centre?

They say normal, everyday clothes but most were slightly more formal than that - I wore a skirt and a jumper. Perhaps we are just too cynical to believe them when they say nobody from the civil service is there :ninja:

Cheers guys!

Will those of us still awaiting results (31 days and counting) actually find out straight after the scheme closes, or will it take much longer? Because the way I see it, if someone were to sign up on 30th November and they then took a week to complete each practice test and another week to complete the real test, it could be practically Christmas by the time everyone's done. Would we have to potentially wait that long?

Civil Service Fast Stream 2009!

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