Below you’ll find our latest Civil Service advice. Use the search function above to find guidance on your issue, or visit Get Tailored Advice to submit your own question.
Using Lower-Graded Experience to Show Grade 6 Leadership Hello, I am applying for a Grade 6 role from Grade 7. I have led a large cross-department programme and deputised for my director, but I have never held a permanent Grade 6 post. My concern is that the panel will see the final authority as belonging…
Applying for Civil Service Promotion During Probation Hello, I joined the Civil Service four months ago and am still completing probation. A promotion vacancy has appeared in another team and I meet most of the essential criteria from my previous career. The advert is open across government and says existing civil servants can apply. It…
Deciding Whether a Two-Grade Promotion Is Credible Hello, I am an EO with substantial management experience from outside the Civil Service. A Grade 7 vacancy has appeared in my professional area and the essential criteria match work I did before joining government. Colleagues have told me that applying two grades above will look unrealistic. I…
Turning Operational Experience Into Policy Evidence Hello, I work in an operational Civil Service role and want to move into policy. Most adverts ask for analysis, drafting, stakeholder engagement and understanding how policy affects delivery. I have not held a policy job. I interpret guidance, identify recurring service problems and brief managers on changes. My…
Applying to the Civil Service Without Government Experience Hello, I have worked in the private sector for twelve years and am applying for Civil Service roles for the first time. The essential criteria match my experience, but the adverts use language about public service, ministers, policy and Success Profiles that feels unfamiliar. I am worried…
Why Civil Service Online Test Scores Can Change Hello, I completed a Civil Service test for one vacancy and received a high percentile. A few weeks later I took a test with a similar name for another role and the result was much lower. I felt that I answered both tests in the same way….
Requesting Reasonable Adjustments for Civil Service Tests Hello, I have a health condition that affects processing speed and concentration. The application asks whether I need an adjustment, but I do not know what is available or how much medical detail to provide. I have previously received extra time in assessments. The vacancy includes an online…
Understanding Your Civil Service Test Percentile Hello, My Civil Service test feedback says I scored at the 44th percentile. I first thought this meant I answered 44% of the questions correctly, but other candidates have described it as a ranking. The application also says I met the minimum standard, although I have not yet been…
When a Civil Service Test Pass Mark Can Be Raised Hello, I completed an online test and received a message saying I had met the minimum standard. After the deadline, the application status changed and I was told that I had not met the pass mark for the vacancy. I assumed that passing the test…
How Banked Civil Service Test Scores Are Reused Hello, I passed a Civil Service Verbal Test recently and the result page says the score has been banked. I am now applying for another vacancy at a similar grade and would prefer to take the test again because I think I could improve the percentile. The…