Civil Service Interview Questions and Answers

Civil Service recruitment is built on Success Profiles. The framework assesses candidates against up to five elements, behaviours, strengths, ability, experience and technical, and each advert shows which are used. Behaviours are the actions and activities that result in effective performance in a job. The Civil Service has defined nine, and recruiting managers choose a selection for each job, so you will not be asked about all of them. They are specific to grade, with examples set out at six levels from administrative assistant and officer to director.

Methods vary. The Civil Service lists application forms, personal statements, online tests, presentations, interviews and assessment centres, and says you may be asked for an example of when you demonstrated a behaviour or how you would act in a situation. It advises choosing examples that let you explain what you personally did. Start with the Success Profiles page, then try the work coach questions, which follow the behaviours closely.