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Civil Service Employer Guide
Civil Service Employer Guide
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ABOUT THE CIVIL SERVICE
The Civil Service helps the elected government of the day to implement policies as effectively as
possible. There are around 420,000 Civil Servants working across more than 50 departments
and agencies. It provides services to people all over the country, including:
● Paying benefits and pensions ● Managing national crisis responses
● Designing the national curriculum ● Creating infrastructure plans
● Advising ministers on policies ● And much, much, more!
●
There is a huge variety of roles within the Civil Service, including data analysts, social
researchers, statisticians, project managers, lawyers and economists. As well as staff working
on policy development, implementation, project delivery and communications.
The Civil Service Fast Stream handles internships and graduate entry to the Civil Service.
Around 1000 graduates join the Fast Stream each year, through 15 different schemes. There is
also a Direct Appointment Scheme for ‘near miss’ candidates who have progressed through
several stages of the application process but are not offered a Fast Stream post and are
offered a direct entry role in the Civil Service. You will not need to apply for the Direct
Appointment Scheme (DAS) separately and you will be contacted directly from the Direct
Appointment Team if this opportunity is being offered to you. The Fast Stream also runs two
centrally managed internship programmes, the Early Diversity Internship Programme for first
year students and the Summer Diversity Internship Programme for penultimate and final year
students.
Civil servants are politically impartial and independent of government. They work in central
government departments, agencies and non-departmental government bodies (NDPBs). There
are many different areas of the Civil Service so you don’t need to be politically motivated to join.
Civil servants are coordinated and managed by the government, and report to the Prime
Minister - the Prime Minister is actually the Minister for the Civil Service! The most senior civil
servant within a government department is a Permanent Secretary, who reports directly to
ministers at the head of each department, and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the
department and its accounts.
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Values
As a civil servant you are expected to carry out your role with a commitment to the Civil Service
and its core values:
● Integrity: Putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests
● Honesty: Being truthful and open
● Objectivity: Basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence
● Impartiality: Acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well
governments of different political persuasions
Success Profiles
This is the overall assessment system used across the Civil Service made up of five areas:
Strengths, Behaviours, Technical, Ability & Experience
● Not all of the elements are relevant to every role, and will vary depending on the profession,
level and type of role.
● The Fast Stream assessment processes will focus on the behaviours and strengths.
Behaviours
Having a good understanding of the behaviours is crucial for passing the Civil Service
application process; for the initial stages, understanding the behaviours can help you select
effective responses in the Situational Judgement Test, and in the later stages you can prepare
answers in the STAR method for times you have displayed each behaviour, in preparation for
the telephone interview (EDIP/SDIP) or video interview (Fast Stream). The Fast Stream
Assessment Centre (FSAC) assesses most of these behaviours in three exercises.
● The examples of the behaviours are designed to give an overview of what is expected of
individuals at each level. There is no expectation that all individuals will need to
demonstrate every part of each example to be successful.
● Level 3 (HEO & SEO) is the level you’ll need to look at for Fast Stream applications.
Come along to a ‘Understanding the Civil Service Behaviours’ Video Forum to find out
more and ask any questions
Example Of A Civil Service Behaviour: (Level 3)
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The key behaviours assessed throughout the application process:
Here’s how upReach Associate Haleema, who secured a role on the Government
Communications Scheme, prepared for the Fast Stream application process:
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OPPORTUNITIES
The Civil Service Fast Stream generally handles internships and graduate entry to the Civil
Service. 1000 graduates join the Civil Service each year, and there are two internships on offer.
You can find out more about the various opportunities available here.
EARLY DIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (1 week - Spring
2021)
For students graduating in 2023 Opens: 24 Sept 2020 Closes: 12 Nov 2020
The EDIP is a five day, expenses-paid internship that gives you the opportunity to shadow Fast
Streamers and attend talks from high-ranking officials. You’ll also be allocated a Fast Stream
buddy and have the opportunity to attend a series of workshops, networking and social events.
Check your eligibility for the programme here.
SUMMER DIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (6-9 weeks - Summer 2021)
For students graduating in 2021 or 2022 Opens: 24 Sept 2020 Closes: 22 Oct 2020
SDIP is a 6-9 week paid internship. You’ll be doing challenging project-related work, creating
policy documents and running events. There’ll be an opportunity to shadow senior Civil
Servants and attend meetings on major policy issues. Should you complete the SDIP
programme, you’ll get a Fast Pass to the Fast Stream Assessment Centre, subject to a good
appraisal. Check if you’re eligible here.
CIVIL SERVICE FAST STREAM GRADUATE PROGRAMME (2-5 years
- commencing Sept 2021) Opens: 24 Sept 2020 Closes: 22 Oct
2020
There are 15 different graduate programmes within the Civil Service Fast Stream including
Generalist, Diplomatic, Social Research and Property. The Fast Stream offers an accelerated
career path into leadership positions within government. Generally, these streams have a
specific focus, and therefore have varying requirements. See information on the streams below
to find out more about each programme.
Please note that you can select up to f our preferences for different schemes you wish to apply
to, so do some research into the opportunities available.
If you are in final year and eligible you can apply to SDIP and the Fast Stream through the same
application.
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STREAMS
Government Economic Service 3-5 year graduate programme with a specific economics focus
- you’ll embark on a career path in economics that influences policy and shapes the
government’s response to some of the key issues of the day. To apply, you must have a 2:1 in
a degree with an economic focus.
Government Statistical Service 4 year graduate programme with a statistical focus - you’ll work
across government applying your analytical talents to tackle the big issues for the UK. You
must have at least a 2:1 in a subject that contains formal statistical training.
Government Operational Research Service 3-5 year graduate programme designed to use
mathematical techniques to improve policy implementation. Must have at least a 2:1 in a highly
numerical degree.
Government Social Research Service 3-5 year programme designed to analyse and interpret
social trends to influence decisions. You must have a 2:1 or higher in a social science degree.
Generalist 3 year programme working on issues of national importance across a range of
departments. You will be required to have a 2:2 or higher in any discipline.
● Year 1: Residential training and 12 months posting in an area of interest.
● Year 2: 12 month posting in an interest area, but in a different department, or potential
secondment to different areas of the public/charity sector.
● Year 3: Final 12 month posting, followed by an end of scheme assessment. There are
promotion opportunities following completion of the graduate programme.
Diplomatic Service 3 year programme focusing on promoting British interests overseas and
supporting British citizens globally. This is the most competitive Fast Stream programme -
places are often filled by candidates who scored highest in the Fast Stream Assessment
Centre. You must have a 2:2 or higher in any discipline.
Human Resources 3 year programme dealing with HR for the Civil Service. You must have 2:2
or higher in any discipline.
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Houses of Parliament 4 year programme working within the Houses of Parliament supporting
the democratic processes through working with MP’s from all parties, analysing government
policy. Applicants must have 2:2 or higher in any discipline.
Diplomatic Service Economics 2 year programme developing macroeconomic policy, focusing
on country-specific projects and topic-focused international projects. You must have a 2:1 in a
degree with an economic focus.
Digital, Data & Technology 4 year programme leading teams that design and build the
government’s digital services. You must have a 2:2 degree in any subject.
Commercial 3 year programme working on negotiating commercial activities for the
government, when either paying for services or resources to deliver public services. Applicants
must have a 2:2 degree in any subject. Note: In addition to the regular assessments,
candidates will also be required to sit a numeracy test before the assessment centre.
Science & Engineering 3-4 year programme working on ensuring pioneering science and
technological research is implemented in government policy. You have a 2:1 or higher in any
discipline, and a masters or PhD in a STEM subject.
Finance 4 year programme helping to shape the government’s financial policy to ensure
services are being delivered efficiently and effectively. Applicants must have 2:1 degree or
higher in any subject. Note: In addition to the regular assessments, candidates will also be
required to sit a numeracy test before the assessment centre.
Project Delivery Up to a 4 year programme designing and implementing large scale projects for
the government, from developing infrastructure to technology implementation. You must have
2:2 or higher in any discipline.
Property A 4 year programme working to develop strategy, plan and deliver projects that will
build a better, more sustainable estate for delivering public services. You must have 2:2 or
higher in any discipline.
FInd out more about each of the schemes on the Fast Stream’s YouTube channel.
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PREPARING FOR FAST STREAM APPLICATIONS
General Preparation
● Inform your Programme Coordinator of your intention to apply to the Fast Stream
● Register your interest on my.upReach. Watch this video on how to register your interest.
● Read 10 blog posts from current Fast Streamers and interns
● Complete the first four modules of the Government and Public Sector Career Course on
my.upReach
● Read through the Civil Service Behaviours, and attend the ‘Understanding the Civil Service
Behaviours’ Video Forum
● Watch the BBC series The Great Offices of State or The Secret World of Whitehall on
YouTube.
Preparation for Online Tests
● Complete the practice tests from the Civil Service and my.upReach
● Attend the ‘Civil Service Applications: Online Tests’ Video Forum
Preparation for Video/Telephone Interview
● Attend the ‘Fast Stream Applications: Video Interview Preparation’ Video Forum
● Read the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary
● Prepare at least two STAR method answers for each of the assessed strengths and share
with your Programme Coordinator
● Complete a mock video/telephone interview with your Programme Coordinator
Preparation for Fast Stream Assessment Centre
● Read the FSAC Guide and practice group and written exercises. (NB: these resources are
from 2019 and FSAC has been updated to run virtually with slight exercise changes)
● Look through the Assessment Centre guides produced by Queen Mary and the King’s
College London Fast Stream group
● Contact your Programme Coordinator to arrange practice FSAC exercises. (Group
Exercises subject to other Associates being available)
Preparation for Final Selection Board
● If you are applying for a scheme which requires you to attend a Final Selection Board,
inform your Programme Coordinator and arrange a Mock Interview
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APPLICATION PROCESS
upReach are here to support you with every step of the application process, so make sure you
keep your Programme Coordinator posted by updating your progress on your
my.upReach homepage.
The application processes changes depending on whether you’re applying for EDIP, SDIP or
the Fast Stream, the following overview will let you know which stages have to be completed
for each programme:
Stage 1: Application Form | All Programmes
Registration of basic information on the Fast Stream website.
● As an upReach Associate, you should flag that you heard about the Fast Stream from a
Civil Service diversity partner.
● Fast Stream Only: Do some research into the different Fast Stream schemes, and the
requirements for each programme, to inform your selection of preferences in your
application. You can select up to four streams (provided you are eligible for each), and
rank them in order of preference.
⇨ If you’re in your final year and applying to the Fast Stream, you can also select to be
considered for SDIP on the application form. This is a brilliant chance to be considered for an
internship with the opportunity to fast track to the Assessment Centre the following year ⇦
Stage 2: Online Tests | All Programmes (Multiple choice & untimed)
Once you submit your online application you have five days to complete these questionnaires.
Work Style Questionnaire
This behavioural questionnaire is completed in two parts and asks about your personality and
work behaviour preferences.
Using the scale above, you will be asked to rate yourself against a series of four statements.
Then, using the same statements, you select which is most like you and least like you.
Example statements:
● I am able to effectively lead a team of people from a range of specialisms
● I can effectively tailor my communication style to a range of different people
● I am able to consider the impact of my actions on a wider project
● I can effectively identify the individual strengths of my team members
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You will need to show a good level of self-awareness, honesty and consistency in your
answers. Take a look at the practice tests from the Civil Service and take a free personality test
to understand your strengths and weaknesses and to practice answering instinctively.
There are a few things to bear in mind before completing the assessment:
● Ensure you understand the job’s requirements and how they are measured - make sure
you are up to date with the Civil Service Behaviours! To prepare, think about your own
personal qualities in relation to the behaviours
● Respond honestly to each question. It’s better to show that you know your strengths and
limitations rather than simply saying you’re good at everything
● Don’t dwell too long on each answer - answer instinctively and honestly
Situational Judgement Questionnaire*
The Situational Judgement Questionnaire assesses how you might approach situations
encountered on the Fast Stream and is assessed against the Civil Service Behaviours. There
are two sections, the first shows you a short video and tests your ability to show the best
understanding of how to handle a situation with a particular focus on dealing with other people
and handling relationships. The second gives you some information in the form of a graph,
chart or table and assesses your ability to understand this information and select the most
effective course of action. The SJQ follows a similar format to that used by many other
employers, but crucially asks you to rank each potential action as Counterproductive /
Ineffective / Partially Effective / Effective.
Come to a ‘Civil Service Online Tests’ Video Forum to practice example questions
Top tips:
● Carefully read the scenarios presented, and take time to assess the options given.
● Consider the effectiveness of each action - not what might happen in reality, or which
action you think you would take.
● Each situation should be treated individually and you should rely solely on the information
presented in each scenario.
● Practice makes perfect! Take a look at the practice tests from the Civil Service and
complete the practice SJTs on my.upReach.
If you have flagged a disability on your application for you automatically bypass this stage
Stage 3a: Written Applications | EDIP & SDIP
● Specifically reference your aspiration to work in government
● Be specific about the programme opportunities and why these interest you: attend
workshops, a fast stream buddy
● Include references to the Civil Service values and behaviours
● Your Programme Coordinator will review your application - make the most of this support!
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Stage 3b: Work Based Scenarios | Fast Stream (Multiple choice & untimed)
Once you unlock the second round of online tests you have five days to complete these.
Case Study
This exercise is designed to test how you cope with real-world scenarios. You’ll read some
background information and then receive a series of mock emails regarding a specific scenario,
and you will have to select a response from a multiple choice list. You are being assessed on
your ability to take in large volumes of information quickly, and use it to make effective
decisions.
Learning Assessment
This round of learning agility tests is designed to assess your ability to perform well on the Fast
Stream, and demonstrate the key behaviours. You are asked to assume the (fictitious) role of a
Fast Streamer and have a number of tasks to complete. The timeline of the scenarios move
and you are expected to learn and respond to changes in situations over the course of two
fictitious Fast Stream postings.
Top tips:
● Make sure you have read through the Civil Service Behaviours.
● Prioritisation of tasks is important, so having a systematic approach for dealing with a
large workload is key! Think about the best way to order high and low priority tasks, and
respond accordingly.
● Read through the background information carefully - it will help to contextualise the
scenario and should make decision making easier.
● Book into a Video Forum to help you prepare.
Stage 4a: Telephone Interview | EDIP & SDIP
Telephone interviews for EDIP and SDIP usually take place between November and January,
last for around 30-45 minutes and ask a series of behavioural questions, along with one or two
motivation questions. A clear understanding of the Civil Service Behaviours is crucial in
preparing for the telephone interview.
Top tips:
● Read through the Civil Service Behaviours and prepare two answers, in the
STAR/CARL method, for the times you have displayed each behaviour. This will help
you to think about the behaviours in relation to your own experience
● Identify specific aspects of the programme that appeal to you and relate these back to
your own interests and experience
● Book into a practice phone interview with your Programme Coordinator
This is the end of the application process for EDIP & SDIP.
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Stage 4b: Video Interview | Fast Stream
The video interview lasts for 25 - 30 minutes, includes nine randomised questions, and takes
place on an online platform. You have 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 150 seconds to
answer. There is one practice question, which can be recorded as many times as you like, but
once the assessment starts you are only allowed to record each answer once! Don’t expect
follow-up questions - provide full, detailed responses. The interview asks questions about
your experience, what you enjoy and find motivating, as well as questions about the following
key strengths:
❏ Adaptable - You can adapt to variations in work or environment and your effectiveness
isn’t impacted by change. You are flexible and versatile and act as an advocate for
change.
❏ Enabler - You see the potential in everybody and encourage them to learn, progress
and develop.
❏ Inclusive - You recognise everyone as an individual, accepting people for who they are
and treating everyone fairly. You actively encourage and provide opportunities for others
to share ideas and contributions.
❏ Improver - You look for better ways of doing things and enjoy coming up with new and
original ideas.
❏ Learner - You are inquisitive, you seek out new information and look for new ways to
develop yourself.
❏ Relationship Builder - You quickly establish mutual respect and trust, building long
lasting relationships with others.
❏ Resilient - You have inner composure, recover quickly from setbacks and learn from
them.
❏ Responsible - You take ownership for your decisions and hold yourself accountable
for what you have promised to deliver.
Top tips:
● Read through the eight strengths that are being assessed and prepare two answers,
in the STAR method, for the times you have displayed each strength.
● Book in to a mock interview to practice and prepare these answers with your
Programme Coordinator
● Make sure you are in a quiet environment with good lighting, you are dressed
professionally and in a location where there will be no distractions for at least an hour.
● You will receive written feedback whether you are successful or unsuccessful - use
this to identify your strengths and areas for development.
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Step 5a: Additional Questions | Some Streams Only
If you are successful at the Video Interview, then you will progress to the next stage. For all Fast
Stream schemes other than Generalist, DDaT, HR, Commercial & Financial, you will have seven
days to complete scheme specific written questions. On your home-page you will see a new
section with questions to be completed. You will need to download a document containing
scheme specific questions.
● Think about your motivations for applying, the learning opportunities the Fast
Stream will provide you and why you’d be a great Fast Streamer!
● Your Programme Coordinator will review your application - make the most of this
support!
Step 5b: Numerical Test | Finance & Commercial Streams Only
If you are successful at the video interview and you have either or both Commercial or
Financial schemes as a preference, then you will be asked to complete an online, timed
numerical test. You will be sent a separate email containing instructions on how to complete
the test, which must be done within seven days of receiving the email.
Stage 6: Fast Stream Assessment Centre | Fast Stream
The Fast Stream Assessment Centre is a half-day assessment process, assessed against the
Civil Service Behaviours through three exercises. FSACs will take place from mid-November
until early 2021 and will take place remotely.
Leadership Exercise
The leadership exercise lasts for one hour, and is a one-to-one role play. You will have 30 mins
to read an outline of a particular scenario, where you are taking over the running of a
government project and review with a colleague (played by the assessor) your approach to
leading the project and project team for 30 mins. You should address how you would take on
the role of team leader, and tackle the issues raised.
Behaviours assessed - Seeing the Big Picture | Changing and Improving | Communicating
and Influencing | Working Together | Developing Self and Others
Top Tips:
● You should expect to be grilled by the assessor on why you have chosen your
approach - use your preparation time to come up with a very clear idea of this, along
with supporting evidence and a contingency plan. The assessor will look for your ability
to flex your plan, throwing in new information as part of their questioning.
● Use the questions to build on your ideas - don’t see them as a challenge. If you are
unsure of how to approach a question, take time to assess the new scenario to come
up with an appropriate response.
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● The assessor should be treated as a colleague with similar seniority to you!
● Time management is important - take 5 minutes of your preparation time to think about
how best to deliver the information.
● Have a clear understanding of the Civil Service behaviours, this may help when coming
to a decision on how best to approach a problem.
Group Exercise
The group exercise is designed to assess your ability to make decisions effectively in a team.
You will be given 30 minutes to prepare for the exercise and given detailed information on the
main issues for discussion and on the position you are representing. All group members will
have the same information about the scenario and the available options. Each group member
will also have an individual, assigned brief, setting out a different negotiating position and some
supporting material. The group will then have up to 30 minutes to agree which of these should
be recommended.
You must act as a group of colleagues forming part of a government task group to decide on
the best course of action, considering the best outcome for the position you are representing
as well as for the whole group. Group members are regarded as equal and you should not
appoint someone to chair the meeting. Not only will you be expected to present a strong case,
you will also need to listen to what the other candidates have to say and then negotiate to
come to an agreed position. All members of the group are expected to contribute to the
discussion on all of the projects. Remember to keep to the information in the briefs and avoid
introducing information or opinions that contradict the evidence given.
Behaviours assessed - Making Effective Decisions | Communicating and Influencing |
Working Together | Developing Self and Others
Top Tips:
● Taking control of time management can be an effective way of leading the discussion.
● Use positive body language and verbal language, encouraging others to partake in
discussion and building in ideas to the overall solution. The atmosphere should reflect
that of a team meeting - referring to people by their first name is a great way of
encouraging this!
● Read the brief to have a clear understanding of the problem, and make sure you break
down the problem brief into a series of manageable challenges.
● You should not feel that you are competing with other members of the group to get to
your desired outcome - part of the assessment is around incorporating others’
perspectives into the solution.
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Written Exercise
You will be asked to address how you would take forward a government initiative. You will be
asked to set out your ideas for the initiative, any issues and risks and how you would manage
these. You will have 50 minutes to read the information and set out your recommendations in a
one - two page response. There are no ‘right answers’ that the assessors are looking for, be
convincing and persuasive in your recommendations, while remaining aware of any potential
issues and how you would mitigate against these.
Behaviours assessed - Making Effective Decisions | Communicating and Influencing |
Changing and Improving | Seeing the Big Picture
● Work quickly and methodically through the task
● Don’t waste time on rough drafts or introduce any outside information
● Construct compelling evidence-based recommendations
Unless you are applying to a specific stream which requires an additional interview, this is
the end of the process - at this stage you will either be made an offer or will receive detailed
feedback on how to improve future applications.
Stage 7: Final Selection Board | Some Streams Only
For some of the graduate schemes, you will need to attend a Final Selection Board (FSB) which
could include:
● Motivation interview ● Aptitude test
● Presentation ● Written exercise
There is not a set pass mark at the FSB - it varies from year to year. It is dependent on the
number of Fast Stream positions available per year and the standard of candidates coming
through the system. Let your Programme Coordinator know if you reach a FSB! They can
conduct a mock interview tailored to your scheme and help you prepare as much as possible.
Top tips:
● Understand the scheme you are applying for, and highlight your motivation for doing so.
● Make sure you are up to date on current political, economic and social affairs.
Incorporating an awareness of issues facing the government into your answers is a
great way of demonstrating that you have done your research, and that you know
specifically what their current work involves.
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TOP TIPS
★ Let your Programme Coordinator know you are applying – with support from
upReach, you increase your chances of success.
★ Get to know the Civil Service Behaviours – The Civil Service will be looking for you to
demonstrate these at each stage.
★ Practice! – We have lots of material, and our Programme Coordinators are happy to go
over practice interviews before the real thing. Working on points to improve increases
your chances of being successful.
★ Think about your motivations for applying to the Civil Service and your chosen
schemes, you might not be asked directly at every stage, having an answer as
personalised and narrow as possible will help you remain focussed and motivated
through the application process.
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