I applied online via the Civil Service Jobs website. Within two weeks I received a follow-up phone interview to go through my previous experience and CV, as well as to discuss the role and requirements in further detail. I then went through a further CV/application sift, and was informed roughly two weeks later that I had been invited to a final interview at the Home Office. The final interview is as easy or difficult as you want it to be. It takes place in front of a panel of three people (Hiring Manager, HR Representative, and an Independent Observer). The interview is almost entirely competency based, where your answers are expected to follow the STAR or CAR format. You will be provided with the exact competencies (from the Civil Service Framework) that they are looking for beforehand in order to prepare for the interview. My interview also included some questions on the specialism I had applied for, as it was a skilled/niche role.