The process consisted of: - online application based on several competencies (e.g. collaborating and partnering, delivering at pace, etc.) - online test - a lot of questions on advanced statistics such as chi square test - face-to-face assessment (case study) - face-to-face interview The whole process was protracted and lasted several months (around 6 months). The face-to-face assessment and interview were done on the same day. The assessment was quite difficult - I was given around 10-15 pages with different evidence to review and prepare a presentation answering 5 questions in 50 mins. I found the material quite difficult and the time insufficient. The topic was about measures for young offenders but although it was supposed to be a study independent of prior knowledge, I found that some prior knowledge was necessary and I was not familiar with the topic. Overall, the case study was not designed very well. The panel consisted of 3 persons from different governmental departments. They were not very encouraging and just stared blankly when I answered questions. I found also some of the questions challenges around political considerations, etc. Also there was no introductory question, so that I could introduce briefly myself but rather straight to the questions. Overall, the experience of the process and the interview panel was not very positive.

The interviewers asked questions based on the civil service competencies, which I expected, but they said I could refer to my answers to the competency questions on my application form if I wanted or choose new examples. However, the application form I completed had requested a personal statement, there had been no competency questions. So that threw me a bit. It was clear that the interviewers had not seen my actual application form. Also I had received an email beforehand requesting I prepare a presentation. So I had prepared a presentation, but when I got there I was asked to complete a different task, so the presentation I had spent time on was not actually needed. The interview therefore seemed very disjointed to me, and to 've honest I was annoyed I had bothered to prepare the presentation at all, as in my prep beforehand that was what I really focused on, but actually it would have been better to just focus on the competencies!