Civil Service Fast Stream Job Selection Process

Who are we?

Central

HRNorthern Ireland

Digital and Technology

European

Finance

Diplomatic Service

Houses of Parliament

Science and Engineering

Social Researcher

Operational Researcher

Statistician

Economist

Government

Communications

Internal Audit

Commercial

https://www.gov.uk/faststream

Schemes

Why are we here?

What is the fast stream?

What are key facts?

Length: 4 years

Structure: 4 x 0.5 years + 2 x 1 year.

Pay: £27k, £32k, £40+k

Leave: 22, 25 and flexi.

How do you get on it?

1. Register online (and choose your programme)

2. Forms online

3. Reasoning tests online

4. Judgement test (e-tray) online

5. Assessment centre

Raising Awareness

Answering your questions and explaining the process

Online TestsDrop in sessions for help with written & numerical

tests

Making Connections

Introducing you to people on the scheme

Building SkillsHelping you develop the skills you’ll need for any

grad scheme

Assessment Preparation

Specialised training for the assessment centre

How we can help…

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

Engagement Events

Awareness Insight

1

Mentoring Shadowing

3

Networking

Making Connections

Building Skills

Soft Specific

4

Preparation Assessment

Understanding Interviews

5

Online Tests

Numerical Written

2

What happens when?

What happens next?

• https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-fast-stream

….Or just Google Fast Stream

• Noor.Salik@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Strategies for Success in Fast Stream Job Selection Process

The candidate challenge … be a strategist

Confidence

and self belief

Work out what to do and how

to get there

Take and seek

opportunities to develop

Get support

Know your strengths

Strengths tend to be:• Enjoyable• Energising• Engrossing• Productive

Setting Direction

Seeing the Big Picture

Changing and Improving

Making Effective Decisions

Engaging People

Leading and Communicating

Collaborating and Partnering

Building Capability for All

Delivering Results

Managing a Quality Service

Delivering at Pace

Achieving Commercial Outcomes

Delivering Value for Money

What we are seeking - competencies

On-line tests

Where performance is not affected by

being unprepared,

unpractised, by nerves, or having poor strategies

To achieve ‘true’ ability

Ultimate aim

Example – verbal reasoning Gender segregation is closely tied to the wide

differences between male and female earnings. Studies have shown that only about half of the variation in pay can be attributed to lesser skills and training of women; the remainder reflects discriminatory practices – when women are in jobs that attract poor pay because they are defined as low grade.

1. Variation in male and female salaries is not caused by discrimination. – True/False/Can’t tell.

2. Most women are in poorly paid jobs. – True/False/Can’t tell.3. Around 50 per cent of all variations in pay are due to women

having been given less training and skills. – True/False/Can’t tell.

Tests: strategies for success

1. Self-confidence2. Calmness3. Concentration4. De-clutter workspace5. Know instructions6. Practice7. Manage time8. Reflect

Calmness – a moment before doing the test

• Three deep…slow…breaths

Practice – becoming test sophisticated

• Practice at the right level• More practice, the better• Test publisher sites: SHL, Saville Consulting, Cubiks, Kennexa,

Assessment Day • Test coaching books

8. Reflect - on test performance

• Request feedback • Review performance • Reflect for next time

e-Tray

Structure of e-Tray

• Task 1: Review a series of information documents , presented in on-screen folders, that provide exercise background (20 minutes)

• Task 2: Read and respond to 24 e-mails. Each e-mail message will include a list of possible actions against message. Select most and least appropriate actions.

• Judgement based on information in e-mail and other relevant information (60 minutes)

• Task 3: Draft a detailed free text e-mail response to a request. All information require will be on computer screen (60 minutes)

Strategies - overview

• Review practice e-Tray on website – close to actual exercise (though only 8 messages) – answers provided

• Recognise time pressure • Keep track of time – watch out for covering over clock with

files• Review all background information/folders – but try to

prioritise attention• Work at even pace - rushing may mean you miss something

- but don’t pause too long!• Re-check instructions if you need to• When ‘submit’ can’t retract!

Assessment centre - Fast Stream

Website Registration/eligibility

Self-assessment/feedback

Practice tests

On-line tests

On-line e-tray

Assessment centre: group exercise, leadership, policy analysis, interview

Selection

Good luck!

https://www.gov.uk/faststream