Civil Service Job interview coming up

bennyineire

Hi All,

So I've been called up for an interview for a senior I.T. role for a county council.

I've had plenty of interviews in the public sector and have always got on well with them. Luckily for me I don't get nervous at interviews (well maybe a few little nerves)

Can any advise what I should expect in an interview for public roles, I assume there is a fairly similar format for public jobs but I really don't know.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I would love to get the role as it's close to where I live and the job description would suit my skills

Halpenny

County Council ≠ Civil Service.

What ever you do don't go into the interview talking about wanting to work in the Civil Service or they'll be looking at you funny. County council is local authority.

bennyineire

Halpenny wrote: »

County Council ≠ Civil Service.

What ever you do don't go into the interview talking about wanting to work in the Civil Service or they'll be looking at you funny. County council is local authority.

OK thanks for the pedantic reply, I won't be mentioning either the county council of civil service. But surly the interview process is the similar as they public service sector.

Any body else got an tips ?

bobbysands81

bennyineire wrote: »

OK thanks for the pedantic reply, I won't be mentioning either the county council of civil service. But surly the interview process is the similar as they public service sector.

Any body else got an tips ?

It’s not a pedantic reply at all, such a mistake would show you don’t even have a basic rudimentary idea about the organization you’re hoping to join.

Zipppy

competency based interview..have example of your experience for each competency which should have been noted in interview invite letter..
Know about what's happening project wise with your local council.. know the roles of elected members v management (the executive)..know how council's operate.
Be able to demonstrate your tech skills with examples..
Research STAR process for competency based interviews.
And relax

Halpenny

And there was me thinking you were looking for advice ...

Can somebody please remind me why we post on boards because I obviously have it wrong?

bennyineire

Zipppy wrote: »

competency based interview..have example of your experience for each competency which should have been noted in interview invite letter..
Know about what's happening project wise with your local council.. know the roles of elected members v management (the executive)..know how council's operate.
Be able to demonstrate your tech skills with examples..
Research STAR process for competency based interviews.
And relax

Thanks Zippy, great helpful post

bennyineire

bennyineire wrote: »

Thanks Zippy, great helpful post

you genuinely would want to take note of that first response tbh. maybe listen to the advice you're getting because the knowledge is good, you do not want to be flippant about something as basic as civil vs public service because the panel will just not hear a word you say after that opener, and rightly so imo.

STAR and fitting two good answers for each required competency is the basic foundation you need

Current major projects relevant to both the org and the general environment obviously good on top

being able to bring in wider topics and then join the dots back to the question, sure at that stage you should be getting measured for the seat

bennyineire

How many candidates do you think would be interviewed for this role.

It's a senior I.T. role for a county council (I assume it's only for 1 role).

The_Conductor

bennyineire wrote: »

How many candidates do you think would be interviewed for this role.

It's a senior I.T. role for a county council (I assume it's only for 1 role).

Depends on the local authority- even if its only one role (now)- the usual is they interview a cohort of prospective candidates- and of those who are successful at interview- they create a panel in order of merit- which is kept live for a prescribed period of time. It would be entirely normal to interview 7-10 candidates for a single post............ The location of the council might mean you get more or fewer prospective candidates- often mirroring whether or not there is a good civil service or HSE contingent in the functional area already (who might have staff trying to jump ship for one reason or another..........) Its becoming increasing rare for private sector candidates to go for LA or other public sector posts- as the money and employment restrictions simply don't interest them

bennyineire

Just an update peps.

Had the interview today which went pretty well.
It was basically a competency based interview with a panel of 3 people, to be be fair to them they kept it a in formal as they could so I felt at ease.

I was able to answer all the questions to gave me, I seen the sign in sheet for the interviews and it looks like there is about 8 people going for.

Not sure if coming from the private sector is a help or a hindrance.

I'll let you know what number I get on the panel and let you know, thanks for all the help on this ya'll