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What are the best and worst things about your job?
I get out and about a lot to different parts of the county ( Even country sometimes.) very varied activities, on a normal office day i can be doing spreadsheets or making phone calls, then the next i could be going kayaking with 30 kids. It has also brought my confidence to a new high, having to learn how to present in front of many, many people at once and learning that it is ok to make mistakes has really helped me.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The plethora of opportunities available and ways to explore the Council.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The team (including management) are relaxed, supportive, and welcoming, the hours are flexible, I don't work weekends, my work feels important, etc.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
Being able to work with children, make a difference in their lives and safeguarding them from harm.
Empowering parents so they are confident to parent their children.
When there are positive outcomes in children's lives.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The work is challenging but fun. I've also barely met anyone from KCC who was a pain to work with or talk to.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
Flexible hours and working arrangements
Lots of training to help better fulfill the role
A clearly outlined career progression
Everyone across the organization finds time to help however busy
A great amount of freedom within my projects to explore what I think is useful
What are the best and worst things about your job?
We are given responsibilities to match our skill set and are trusted to do so, not over-managed despite being new. Also contributing to something greater than making a profit like a private company might.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
Everything! - Lovely team and good work
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
Great work/life balance
Rewarding
Fun working days
What are the best and worst things about your job?
One of the best things about this job is being able to work in teams with various people. This is beneficial as it means that projects have a range of viewpoints and input and therefore isn't affected too much by any individual outlooks.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The amazing team!
Employee Benefits.
The career progression opportunities.
Support offered
What are the best and worst things about your job?
- Working with a good understanding team where there isn't any conflict between colleagues.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The opportunity to progress within my career, as well as the emphasis placed on my personal and professional development.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
Flexible working and freedom to structure work around personal life and commitments.
Opportunity to make valuable connections and learn from experienced staff across the organization
Structured learning and opportunity to receive further professional qualifications to enhance career progression
Supportive management team
What are the best and worst things about your job?
It's a good employer which encourages learning opportunities and supports wellbeing.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The opportunities to get involved in a lot of different areas
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
- The opportunity for growth and development. This includes the opportunity to study for a Level 7 Accountancy Qualification which is an amazing opportunity and one which I did not think I would be able to complete after finishing University.
- The flexibility. My working hours/arrangements allow for lots of flexibility in terms of where I work from, when I start and finish work etc. provided that I meet my contracted hours each week. This allows me to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- My team. My colleagues are really easy to get along with and are very knowledgeable in their areas. This means I feel comfortable going to anyone and asking for help should I need it.
What are the best and worst things about your job?
The best part definitely the freedom and colleagues. Everyone I've met has been super friendly and nice.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The diversity between projects that I work on
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
- The professional/personal development. There is lots of room to progress both personally and professionally and there's a huge emphasis on training and networking. The fact that I can work towards a professional qualification is a huge bonus.
- My team. Everyone gets nervous starting a new job but it can be made a lot easier depending on the people you work with. My team are very easy to get along with and everyone is there to help each other if they have any issues. I feel confident and comfortable talking to each of them.
- Flexibility. In this day and age everyone seems to be working remotely. However, it is still nice to have the option. Sometimes I can work from home and start early and others I can choose to go into the office and maybe start a little later. I feel like this has a massive impact on productivity as less people are taking time off ill as they are still able to work from the comfort of their own home.
What are the best and worst things about your job?
job satisfaction - helping Kent residents
working flexibly and full time from home (due to covid)
pay
placements give a range of experience
great line manager
good community of graduate scheme participants past and present
What are the best and worst things about your job?
Excellent support from Management. Frequent and detailed feedback and discussions around career progression. Varied work projects.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The organisation is very supportive and understanding. I have a great work life balance and feel like a very valued member of the team. I enjoy the challenge my work presents and the opportunities to make genuine change in the community.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
An incredibly supportive atmosphere from the line manager through to the director. Kent County Council go above and beyond for their graduates.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
Ability to move placements every eight months to experience different areas of the company.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
- The opportunity to learn new skills in a subject area unfamiliar to me previously.
- The opportunity to work on largescale projects and projects local to me.
- The opportunity to work in a role that offers challenges, problem-solving and tactical thinking.
What are the best and worst things about your job?
I have already been able to work in areas that really interest me, that I didn't know interested me before I got the job.
The other graduates become almost like a support unit, you are all going through the same new experiences and you are likely to gain some good friends. Compared to other graduate schemes, the graduates tend to treat each other as friendly peers rather than competition, this creates a good working environment.
The graduates are treated with a lot of respect within the organisation. Everybody is aware of the scheme and the talent it has produced in the past and are likely to be interested in talking to you.
You will be introduced to as many senior leaders as possible, you can set up your own opportunities to shadow directors. Unlike a normal job, if you are interested in other roles in the organisation, senior leaders are usually happy for you to go along and meet people outside of your current role and will allow you to attend meetings that might not be completely relevant to your work but fit an interest you have.
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
- Chance to undertake different placements in different departments.
- Chance to work with other graduates on group projects.
- I'm given real responsibility and own the pieces of work I am tasked with.
- Gain two qualifications.
- Lots of support provided.
- Excellent induction week.
- Combination of team and solo work.
- Opportunity for flexible working across different offices or work from home.
- Various training opportunities as part of different placements.
- Exposure to senior management and political members.
- Opportunity to work with partner organisations, e.g. Kent Fire and Rescue and Thames Gateway Partnership.
What are the best and worst things about your job?
Opportunity to move around a variety of different directorates making the role varied.
Access and exposure to directors which gets you noticed.
What are the best and worst things about your job?
Opportunities and exposure to high level decision making
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
My second placement is within a solid team environment and have a good manager
Read moreWhat are the best and worst things about your job?
The responsibility given to the graduates from an early stage within the program, I have been trusted with leading projects and making decisions which has been a wonderful opportunity. Also, the flexibility and variety in the day to day role is enjoyable.
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Kent County Council
Average start time: 08:00
Average end time: 17:00
Average number of working hours: 9
Based on 87 reviews
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Application Advice:
Be open and honest about why you want the role, you would only apply if you cared about what this jobs "target market" is.
Interview Advice:
Dont be afraid to ask questions, the role can vary quite a lot, but still do come prepared having done some research on the role, as someone who has sat on interview panels for candidates who are applying for other positions there is nothing quite as off-putting as someone who comes to an interview completely unprepared.
Participation Officer, Virtual School at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Align yourself to the KCC values.
Interview Advice:
Be yourself and stay calm. Remember why you are applying for the role and what you want to get out of it.
Governance, Law and Democracy Graduate, Chief Executive’s Directorate at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Make sure to be detailed - provide examples of how you have demonstrated the qualities you claim to possess in a work environment. Also talk about what attracts you to the Blue Badge service, NOT KCC as a whole. There is no word limit so take advantage of that. The "Reason for applying" question should really be named the "Why we should hire you" question because that's really what they're asking.
Interview Advice:
Wear a nice shirt (my interview was over MS Teams so it didn't matter what trousers I wore). I was asked questions about my experience with different IT software e.g Excel, my knowledge of GDPR, and more general questions about my skillset and what skills I used at my previous job.
Apprentice Assistant Blue Badge Eligibility Assessor, Blue Badge service at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
The apprenticeship is a good way to learn and equip you to be a children's social worker because you are learning on the job whilst you are doing all the academic side of things. This gives you a chance to apply theory whilst you are working.
Make sure you are aware of the professional standards and what is needed for a role as a social worker.
Interview Advice:
Be confident and clear and know your capabilities. Show case all the positive things you could bring as a role of a social worker.
Social work apprentice, Childrens and Families at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
know your job role in depth.
Interview Advice:
know your job role in depth.
Graduate Procurement Trainee, Procurement at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Research a lot about KCC and problems in Kent, they ask a lot about it.
Interview Advice:
Take the initiative in group discussions. They also like it when you ask them questions about the content of the discussions and work.
Graduate Development Operations Officer, Technology at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
You will be asked to do some two minute recorded answers to questions and once you see the questions you only have a minute to prepare what you are going to say. However, I would write down some ideas and experiences you can draw upon beforehand that are applicable to a few different questions as this helped me a lot. Also, take the whole of that minute you are given to think and do your best points first as you will likely run out of time
Interview Advice:
It was a strengths based interview that asks you to reflect on certain skills you possess and when you employed them in your experiences up to this point. So reflecting upon when you have shown certain skills beforehand is important and the examples you use do not have to be academic or employment based they can be anything. For example, when asked about how I dealt with conflict within a team in the past I referred to some of my experiences playing in sports teams in my free time
Graduate Evaluation Analyst Officer, Data Analytics at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Be honest about who you are/your experiences and how they reflect your ability to undertake the role.
Interview Advice:
Be personable, friendly and not afraid to show your personality.
Graduate Project Support Officer, Highways and Transport at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Read the job description
Don't lie
Try not to over describe
Interview Advice:
Be yourself
Be a confident speaker
Speak professionally
Come across as someone with a personality
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
Mention any experience you have had with Young People and how you want to help get their voices heard.
Interview Advice:
'How would you make sure every child feels involved'
Mention:
How you like team work
How you personal experiences will help Young People in care
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
Simply to answer the questions as legitimately and truthfully as possible.
Interview Advice:
The main piece of interview advice would be to research the role in advance of the interview so that you understand the main responsibilities and requirements. I did this and so it felt that I was able to provide more in depth answers to the questions posed and it also helped me to transition into the role as I had an idea of the skills I would be learning.
Graduate Procurement Trainee, Strategic Commissioning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
We are often looking for care experienced young people to join the team. We offer a level 2 and level 3 apprenticeship so do make sure to list any qualifications you already have and what level apprenticeship you would like. Our managers can also arrange a phone call with you before starting the application process to answer any questions that you may have.
Interview Advice:
Be yourself! Uniqueness and Creativity is so important for our team and they look out for it. Its really not scary. The whole team is lovely and i felt comfortable straight away withing this team!
Apprentice Participation Worker, Virtual School Kent Participation Team at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Think about skills you have that can help with the job title
Interview Advice:
Sell yourself in your portfolio what could you show off to show the best working side of you.
Intelligence Support Assistant, Public Protection at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Ensure your CV is tailored to the role and read the job description thoroughly. Ensure that the role and company is one that you would enjoy and that offers good career progression if that is important to you.
Take your time going through the application and ensure that your answers are clear and use good grammar.
Interview Advice:
Prepare for the interview ahead of time. Research common interview questions for that role and the company you are applying for.
Ensure good eye contact and body language and present yourself well.
Listen to the questions fully and try to answer them to the best of your abilities.
Don't be afraid to ask the interviewer(s) if they can move on to the next question and come back to a question you were stuck on later.
Ask lots of your own questions. The interview should also allow you to get to know your employer and the role.
Graduate Accountant, Finance at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Put thought and consideration into responses and practice the online test prior to taking it.
Interview Advice:
Individual values and reasons for wanting to work in the public sector are important. Put some thought into how you'd be an asset working for and within the community.
Graduate Programme Support Officer, Highways at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Bring in your personality and experience, telling examples from outside of work are fine if they demonstrate the things they ask for.
Strategic Commissioning, Strategic Commissioning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Continue to chase up application after initial submission.
Interview Advice:
Learn the KCC Values inside out and read through current, relevant transport policies.
Graduate Highways and Transportation Engineer, Growth, Environment and Transport at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Demonstrate required skills and enthusiasm for public service.
Interview Advice:
Prepare relevant experiences to illustrate your answers.
Compliance Support, Technology at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Ensure your CV is up-to-date and is tailored towards the job description of the job you are applying for. This does not mean lying on your CV, but ensuring the skills and behaviours you have acquired are linked towards the job application. I would also really think about what it is about this job and this company that attracts you and why you would like to work for that company. Finally, do not rush the application. Take the time to put thought in to your answers and ensure they use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation etc.
Interview Advice:
Prepare well. This may mean going back over your application and reminding yourself of answers as well as researching the company and what the day to day job may entail. Ensure you prepare for many situational judgment questions as this is often how an employer will determine if you will fit in well in their team and if you have the correct skills and behaviours required for this job. Finally, make sure you ask the employer some questions. This is also an interview for you to get to know the company and potentially your new role so ensure you ask a few questions regarding the work environment/culture, what the average day may look like etc.
Pension Fund Graduate Accounting Trainee, Pension Fund, Treasury and Investments at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Interview Advice:
Be confident and ask questions. The interviewers are very friendly and kind so no need to worry messing up. My internet broke during my initial interview and they let me try again the next day.
Graduate Development Operations Officer, ICT at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Make your previous experience relevant to the role
Show the skills / knowledge you have acquired from previous roles
Make skills relevant to the job you are applying for
Interview Advice:
To consider KCC's values and how you can demonstrate them
Consider whether KCC's values match with your own
Research KCC
Prepare answers to potential as much as you can in advance to ease your nerves
Prepare questions to ask the people interviewing you at the end
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
Take your time with the application and ensure you think about and prepare your answers accordingly. It is easy for graduates to rush through applications as it can be tough to secure a job and so most think that by applying to as many as possible you have a higher chance. However, I would say this is not the case. Take your time and really think about why you want to work for that company and what interests you in this role.
Also, I would say to ensure your CV is up-to-date and is adjusted to ensure it meets the criteria for that role, without lying. Each role/sector/company is different and so they may have different requirements so it is important that they see that you have what they are looking for.
Interview Advice:
My interview was virtual and so my tips will relate to online interviews. I would say, first of all, to ensure that you are in a quiet, bright location and there is nothing around which will distract you or the interviewers as this can cause you to forget your answers and may leave a bad impression on the examiners depending on the situation.
Secondly, I would say to research the organisation/sector and find common interview questions for that role. Take your time and really think about your answers, ensuring you prepare accordingly beforehand. One thing I would do is record myself, through my laptop camera, answering these questions and then I would watch them back. This allows me to see my facial expressions and ensure I remember to look into the camera rather than at the screen. It also helps with remembering your answers.
I would also say to try not to overthink it. Of course it is important to come across well in an interview, however interviewers and looking to embarrass you or for interviewees to fail. They want you to succeed. Just take your time with your answers and if you need a few seconds to think then do not hesitate to ask or even ask if you can come back to that question at the end. This may even make you seem more confident, as opposed to an awkward silence and not having a great answer to their question.
Finally, ensure you ask the interviewers a few questions at the end. As much as this is an interview for the company to see if you are a fit for their company, you should also be asking yourself if they are a fit for you and somebody you would like to work for. Try to ask questions about what a day in that role usually looks like and what the culture is like to get a real insight into the team and people you will be working with.
Pension Fund Graduate Accounting Trainee, Finance – Pension Fund, Treasury and Investments at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Ensure your application directly applies to every point in the job specification. Give evidence of how you meet the specification as much as possible.
Interview Advice:
Learn the council's values - these can be found on their website. Think of examples of how you have demonstrated these values and be sure to give these in your interview answers where relevant.
Graduate Commissioning Trainee, Strategic Commissioning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Interview Advice:
Be confident even if you don't feel it because if you can approach a nervous or difficult situation confidently then it says a lot about your character.
Highways and Transportation Graduate, Transport Innovation at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Interview Advice:
Don't be afraid to show your personality and unique experience.
Strategic Commissioning Graduate, Strategic Commissioning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Interview Advice:
To relax and be yourself. It is not a stressful experience in which you are grilled by the interviewer. You also don't need to know too much about the role or sector as this is covered extensively in the first few weeks.
Information Governance Graduate, Strategic & Corporate Services at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Apply early, use STAR technique.
Interview Advice:
Prepare answers to typical standard interview questions. Learn about the role of KCC as a whole.
Highways, Transportation and Waste Graduate, Highways, Transportation and Waste at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Demonstrate as much relevant experience as you can as this really helps to show an employer that you have knowledge of the subject. Make sure your CV is relevant and make sure that it gives an insight into you as a person because at the end of the day employers want to hire someone who is good for the role and a good person.
Interview Advice:
Act confident even if you don't feel it! Make sure to have some questions prepared to ask your interviewer as it shows you have researched the company/department and are interested to learn more. Interview questions generally focus on teamwork, communication and leadership so try and think of relevant examples for each. Make sure to structure your answers so that they always conclude with the skills you have developed and what you could offer the job if you were appointed.
Graduate Transport and Development Planner, Transport and Development Planning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Be honest with the personality testing. They're not looking for one type of person, they just want to know what individual characteristics you offer compared to others, and you will be asked questions in the interview based on what your personality test results are.
Focus on the skills and traits you can offer rather than what degree you did. Although it is a requirement to have a degree, doing the job well is more about what kind of worker you are. They look out for people are self-driven, confident and motivated rather than people with the most prestigious qualifications.
Don't let the English and Maths tests scare you off. They are deliberately hard and most people struggle with them. Even if you think you did terribly (like I did) you still have a chance.
Make sure you back up everything you say about yourself with relevant experience. It doesn't have to be work experience. I used the fact that I moved far away from home to go to university as an example of a time I've taken a big risk.
Give yourself plenty of time to complete the application form, it is quite long and requires a lot of thought.
Interview Advice:
Have at least 2 extra questions prepared to ask the interviewers to make yourself stand out.
Don't pretend to be perfect, the role is for a graduate looking to be trained and moulded. Instead make it clear that you are ready to be taught, committed to the training qualifications and will push yourself to develop your skills.
They are looking for a candidate who will eventually make a good project manager. Think about the skills that requires and think up examples of when you have shown these skills.
You may be interviewed by a previous graduate, think of questions that you could ask them while you have the chance. This will also make it appear as though you have paid attention to the people you are interviewing with.
, Kent Graduate Programme at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
- Be honest about why you want to work in the public sector and what you hope to gain from this.
- Emphasise personal development - e.g. outline the skills you have and the skills you'd like to develop.
- Give examples of when you have been forward thinking and open to change.
- Give examples of effective teamwork, and when you have lead teams or projects.
Interview Advice:
- The majority of my interview questions were competency based, e.g. 'give me an example of when you have...'
- Try and prepare examples of various different things you have done so you're not repeating yourself in the interview.
- Think of examples of where you have effectively dealt with, and embraced, change.
- Think of examples of where you have used initiative and put yourself forward for something.
- I was also asked how I cope with stress, and we were asked to complete a personality questionnaire prior to the interview so some of the questions referenced answers provided in this.
- Be honest in your answers. The application process is lengthy so any discrepancies or dishonesty will be spotted.
- If you get to the end of your interview and suddenly think of a better answer to a question you've already answered, don't be afraid to ask the interviewers if you can go back to that question and answer it again. I did that for one of the questions I was asked and the interviewers were more than happy to re-visit any previous questions.
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
Ensure you are honest in your application about why you are applying and make sure to include your experiences inside and outside of University.
Interview Advice:
Be yourself, the loudest person won't necessarily get the role. There are also plenty of opportunities to shine so do not worry if during the interview/assessment centre you do not do well 100% of the time.
Operational Research Graduate, Strategic and Corporate Services at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Be honest and consider the challenges of the sector - e.g. financial constraints, political involvement. If these don't inspire you, don't bother.
Interview Advice:
Understand yourself, your competencies and your values
Gradute Management Trainee, Flexible at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Make sure you're answering the questions and not diverting away from the required answer.
Interview Advice:
Be relaxed and yourself. Research KCC and have be prepared for questions about your experiences
, at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Interview Advice:
Research the schemes and values that Kent County Council upholds, have a feel for the area and understand some of the local issues and challenges the county council faces.
Graduate Development Planner, Transport and Development Planning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
I think first and foremost the applicant should want to work within the Public Sector and should strive to make a difference. Being adaptable and willing to learn is key. However, if the candidate has any doubts regarding their level of knowledge in the subject area, this should not be a concern, as a huge emphasis is placed on training and development and these can be learnt whilst doing the job.
Interview Advice:
It is always best to be over-prepared. Think about various situations you have found yourself in that have demonstrated key competencies such as teamwork or dealing with conflict and have some answers prepared. This will help to calm any nerves and provide you with some examples.
The candidate should also research the organisation and learn the key priorities or issues that are a hot topic so that you are up to date. Overall, show your enthusiasm and try not to be nervous, the staff are all very friendly and will put you at ease.
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
If you want to gain skills in various professional areas but are unsure what you want to do ultimately this is a great opportunity. As for the application, think outside the box.
Interview Advice:
Focus on your competencies and supporting examples. Look up who is interviewing you on LinkdIn and always have a question or two to ask about the organisation at the end.
Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Research the structure and strategic aims/objectives of the Authority.
Demonstrate where possible your attraction to the Public Sector and delivering better outcomes for residents/taxpayers.
Interview Advice:
Prepare for competency based interview questions (i.e. tell me about a time when you had to deal with...)
Management Trainee, Kent Graduate Programme at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Take your time filling out the application form. Do not miss out any sections, check your grammar, refer to your actual experiences, and get someone else to read through your application before you send it off.
Interview Advice:
Do your preparation on the company and role. Be enthusiastic and be prepared to follow-up/provide more detail and context to the 10 questions answered in the application form.
Transport planner, Highways, transportation and waste at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Consider why exactly this role is suited to you, and what made their graduate scheme stand out from anything else.
Interview Advice:
Be sure to be up to date on news about the council, so that you have a good base knowledge of the council's transformation, and how it operates.
Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
This organisation demands the best from you, so make sure you prepare well to ensure you give it. The role is a fantastic one and one I would highly recommend for those looking to get a range of experience in a short period of time in an organisation that wants to push you forward.
Interview Advice:
Make sure you show you are willing to be flexible. Many councils in the country are having to face diminishing budgets from central government and are thus going through transformation programmes, so you need to show you are ready for that. The organisation and its staff value your social skills, so be sure to present those in a professional manner.
Graduate Management Stream, at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
If you have a real interest in making a positive difference to your community and having a respectable work life balance then apply!
Interview Advice:
Be yourself, be honest, work out why you want the job before being interviewed.
Management Graduate, Community Safety at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Take time on the application form
Revise SHL tests
Read assessment centre prep - be yourself, talk to people (everyone's nervous)
Read up on KCC's recent decisions and pressures they are currently facing
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
Research the organisation, be yourself and think about how your skills and experiences can be applied to improve highways in Kent
Interview Advice:
Use examples to support your answers.
Have relevant questions to asks the interviewers.
Take your time, don't rush your answers and think about what your being asked.
Data Analyst, at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Do your research about KCC and it's ambitions, be open and honest and show your enthusiasm for the sector.
Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
At each stage make sure you have examples to clearly demonstrate the skills you possess, how they are applicable to local government, and how you can develop them further.
Interview Advice:
You need to think about how you handle 'Change'. This is a big topic at the moment in Local Government, and the chance for you to show innovative thinking.
Graduate Management Trainee, at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
1. To put a lot of time and effort into the application forms.
Interview Advice:
1. To do your homework on what Kent County Council do and how they serve the local community.
2. To be ambitious and enthusiastic throughout the interview process.
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
Answer all questions of the application form as best as possible. Ensure you include anecdotes and specific examples when answering the questions. Demonstrate your desire to work for Kent County Council and within the public sector. Be innovative with your answers as the programme is highly competitive and you need to stand out.
Interview Advice:
Make sure you research the organisation and have read the main strategic documents for Kent County Council, it is often highly desirable if you can link your answers to KCC documents and demonstrate your passion for the job. Before your interview take the time to properly think of situations where you have had to work as a team or manage a project as this will ensure you are well prepared for any possible interview questions and saves you trying to think on the spot. Always be polite, maintain eye contact and be yourself - its understandable to be nervous.
Highways and Transportation Graduate – Kent Graduate Programme, Transport Strategy Delivery at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
When applying, be sure to employ words such as "accountable", "honest", "open" etc... These reflect Kent County Council's valuable and will be market highly by whoever is checking your form.
Interview Advice:
Prepare by thoroughly looking through the Kent County Council website as it is likely you will be asked questions relating to the services provided by KCC. In some cases, you may even be asked specific questions about certain policy documents.
Don't worry too much about coming across as a "public sector type". A lot of the people who interviewed me had worked both in the public and private sectors and understood that you may come from a different background or have other aspirations than those relating to politics or the public sector.
Graduate Management Trainee, at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Be genuine and enthusiastic!
Interview Advice:
In the assessment centre strong team players get very far - it isn't a case of 'who shouts the loudest.'
Have a strong idea of what the council does, why you want to work there, and what you can bring to the table.
Use example and experience from anything you might've done in the past - however exciting or mundane - and show that you can apply this to the questions in the interview.
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
- Expain carefully how you meet the skills outlined in the application form.
- Make sure you research the Council, in particular it's main strategies and policies.
- Use references from previous employment, education and extra-curricular activities.
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Interview Advice:
- Know about the Council's main strategies.
- Why do you want to work for a local government body?
- Diversity
- Make sure you have some questions to ask the interviewers that shows you're keen and interested (no questions about salary).
Read the full review »
Application Advice:
Ensure that you have the passion for and are committed to public service before applying.
Interview Advice:
Be well prepared and have an understanding of the organisation and its culture. Speak with conviction about your interests in the authority and the work that it does.
Management Graduate, Social Care, Health & Wellbeing at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Apply if you want a broad experience and want to gain a good footing in the public sector.
Interview Advice:
Have some good examples of work you have done previously to showcase your skills.
Management Trainee, Adult Social Care at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Interview Advice:
Relax and enjoy the assessment centre
Management Trainee, Kent Graduate Programme at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Give lots of examples of the experience you've had and explain these. Make sure you are backing everything up with examples that actually show you have the skill. Think outside the box as well, not all examples have to be work related.
Interview Advice:
Be yourself and be prepared. Make sure you remember what you spoke about in your application and the examples you gave. Make sure you've thought about possible questions you could be asked and have an idea of how you would answer them. Do some research about KCC, as there is a lot going on that you will be expected to know about. Most importantly, be yourself. The interview is a formal situation, which some people find difficult. If you try and be as relaxed as possible, you'll make the situation easier for yourself.
Management Graduate, Kent Graduate Programme at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Ensure you evidence your skills and experiences clearly in the application.
Interview Advice:
Learn about the KCC values and core competencies and incorporate these into your answers.
Ensure you know what services the county council provides vs. the borough/district councils.
Management Trainee/ Programme Coordinator, Specialist Children’s Services Transformation at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
To answer the questions keeping the person specification and job description in mind the whole time.
Interview Advice:
Be yourself and let your personality shine through.
Project Coordinator, Troubled Families Programme at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Complete the application form using the person specification - refer to this at all times and evidence all of the points requested.
Interview Advice:
Be confident. Do your reading and research. Use the STAR technique at all times.
Management Trainee, Graduate Services at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Provide real world examples to show how you demonstrate the skills required - even if it is not strictly work related. Evidence is needed in order to fulfil the criteria.
Interview Advice:
Find out the criteria for the role and get some examples in place that can be tailored to a number of different questions.
Freight Officer, Highways and Transportation at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Answer the question you are asked. Make sure you are evidencing excatly what the question wants you to, and use specific examples. If you are vague, the person reviewing your application cannot give you credit for it.
Interview Advice:
Research the local authority and the qualification, you may be asked about it.
Auditor, Internal Audit at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Take the time to read through your application carefully to ensure that you have answered questions in sufficient detail and do not have any grammar or spelling mistakes. Don't worry if you do not have a great deal of work experience as you can use examples from school, university and extra curricular activities to complete your application.
Interview Advice:
At the assessment centre, be yourself and don't assume that taking the lead on every task is the only way to succeed; collaborative working is highly valued.
Do your research on Kent County Council for the interview and consider which areas of the Council you are interested in and why. Be sure of why you want to work in the public sector and have ideas of where you would like the graduate programme to take you.
Graduate Management Trainee, Kent Graduate Programme at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Read the questions carefully, and make sure you answer them fully. Check your answers for word count, spelling and grammar. Evidence your experiences and skills well, thinking of any examples from school/ uni/ private life/ volunteering; KCC will take all of these into account.
Interview Advice:
Be prepared but not rehearsed. Be confident (it helps if you feel prepared!). Take your time when thinking about and answering questions; it is not an exam! Most importantly, be yourself and don't everthink it!
Management Trainee, Property & Infrastructure Support at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
The application experience (assessment centre/interview etc) can really help you learn a lot about yourself, even if you don't get the job. Think about specific examples of work/volunteering experience you have had to back up your application. There is a lot of publicly available information on KCC, do some research to help you.
Graduate Management Trainee, Graduate Management Stream at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
You must have a passion for working in the public sector, and be committed to becoming a fully qualified accountant.
Interview Advice:
You must have a good understanding of KCC and the services it provides to the residents of Kent - I would advise doing as much research on KCC as possible.
Finance Trainee, Finance Systems Team at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Application Advice:
Be open minded and positive, and you will get the most of it.
Interview Advice:
Convey your enthusiasm for working in local government (i.e for the public.)
Research/ think about why you want the job and what you want to get out of it before you begin.
Management Trainee, Kent at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Very supportive with any needs or requirements that someone has, be it with mental health or other health related needs.
Worst:
- Pay, Total contribution pay has often been cancelled in the last few years so no matter how hard you've worked you haven't been able to move up your pay-grade, yes there have been pay rises but when not everyone has contributed or worked as hard and you all get the same, it is incredibly unfair!
Participation Officer, Virtual School at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Work/life balance, benefits, lovely culture and nice place to work.
Worst:
Sometimes people are stuck in old habits and old ways of working and this can be restrictive.
Governance, Law and Democracy Graduate, Chief Executive’s Directorate at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Generally good pay (the apprentice wage still isn't great but higher than average), most jobs offer flexi-time and hybrid working, there are a bunch of different resources they have to support employees from varying backgrounds, etc.
Worst:
Apparently there have been pay freezes in the past (side effect of getting your wages from the government I guess)
Apprentice Assistant Blue Badge Eligibility Assessor, Blue Badge service at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
The people I work with are very supportive. I work with a great team and we all look out for each other as this job is very challenging emotionally. I feel very supported.
Worst:
The large caseloads and lack of staffing which impacts on everybody's wellbeing. It prevents you from doing your job effectively.
Social work apprentice, Childrens and Families at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Great culture, very understanding employer and relaxed.
Worst:
Lack of opportunity for bonuses.
Graduate Procurement Trainee, Procurement at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
The employees are always ready to help with problems, whether it's helpful for them or not.
Worst:
Most members of my team are overworked so it's hard to get time with them to talk about problems in detail, especially my manager.
Graduate Development Operations Officer, Technology at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
A friendly atmosphere and support across the organization
Worst:
Limited resources in public sector
Graduate Evaluation Analyst Officer, Data Analytics at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
People and opportunity.
My colleagues have been really supportive and tried to get me involved where possible. There is also a lot of investment in upskilling and training which has been emphasized a lot.
Worst:
Public perception of local authority work but is not a big deal.
Graduate Project Support Officer, Highways and Transport at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Safe environment
Worst:
Would like more input for the staff groups and more money towards this
Business Support Officer, Children, Education and Young People at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Chances for promotion
Networking
Read the full review »
Best:
The company has been extremely supportive. The people within my team are very helpful and always willing to put time aside to help me out as I am learning.
Worst:
-
Graduate Procurement Trainee, Strategic Commissioning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
I love my Job, I constantly get to work with young people and be myself. I can use personal experiences in an amazing way. The team are all amazing and i look forward to coming to work everyday.
Worst:
Time management can be difficult when needing to prioritize task, however again quick discussions with the team sorts this out.
Apprentice Participation Worker, Virtual School Kent Participation Team at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Very relationship focused, which is great in helping to build a network and connect with different people from all over the organisation.
Worst:
Unable to negotiate pay rises and do not offer enough perks/benefits.
Graduate Accountant, Finance at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Flexible working
Training and development
Worst:
Budget constrains mean some things such as technology are outdated
Graduate Programme Support Officer, Highways at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Support for training and wellbeing is available.
Worst:
Work is often intangible and workload fluctuates so there can be very heavy weeks that you are just expected to deal with.
Strategic Commissioning, Strategic Commissioning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Level of support on offer.
Worst:
Internal governance can be difficult to negotiate.
Graduate Highways and Transportation Engineer, Growth, Environment and Transport at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Sole aim of the County Council is to serve the public. Generally quite ethical.
Worst:
Political organisations, too much bureaucracy and red tape slowing down progress.
Graduate Project Officer, Economic Development at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
- Place strong emphasis on personal and professional development.
- Flexible.
- Job security.
- Great opportunities for networking.
- Great people/colleagues willing to help.
Worst:
- Nearest offices are almost an hour from me. (Although the flexibility I listed as a best thing about this company fixes this negative by allowing me to work from home.)
Pension Fund Graduate Accounting Trainee, Pension Fund, Treasury and Investments at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
The people are the best part of working.
Worst:
Projects take a while to finish up and I've had to do quite a bit of chasing for project work.
Graduate Development Operations Officer, ICT at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Room for progression / diversity in job roles
Worst:
Communication from those at the highest level is not always clear
Business Change Graduate, Analytics at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
- Room for progression. There is so much room for progressing within this organisation. Not just within my department but there is also room to move horizontally throughout the organisation if you feel a different sector might be a better suit.
- Job security. I feel safe in this role and do not worry about being made redundant or not being able to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the procedures in place, such as remote working, I feel safe that I will have a consistent income.
- The people. Everyone within this organisation is so welcoming and everyone wants to see you succeed. Even people within other departments are more than happy to help you out if you require anything or are unsure. I feel confident getting in contact with anyone within this organisation.
Worst:
- IT services. I would say that the IT support/services require a little improving. Upon first starting in my role, I was unable to access most services and this was not resolved for a long time. Since then, most of my IT issues have been resolved pretty quickly.
Pension Fund Graduate Accounting Trainee, Finance – Pension Fund, Treasury and Investments at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Support of team and wider colleague, diversity of responsibilities and opportunities, the importance of the organisation's work
Worst:
Large size of the organisation and necessary regulations can make it difficult to navigate
Compliance Support Officer, ICT at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
have done some great work during covet times
Worst:
always under fire in the press
lots of bureaucratic processes in governance etc.
Read the full review »
Best:
Flexible working hours
Positive, supportive culture
Read the full review »
Best:
They clearly value their staff and staff wellbeing
The management are very supportive
Read the full review »
Best:
Supportive atmosphere
Work/life balance
Worst:
N/A
Information Governance Graduate, Strategic & Corporate Services at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Welcoming culture, opportunities to develop
Worst:
KCC, due to its size, can often be described as slow and there is a certain level of frustration associated with the confusing, substantial levels of internal hierarchy and processes for any change.
Highways, Transportation and Waste Graduate, Highways, Transportation and Waste at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
- Being a large and inclusive organisation
- The benefits that are offered
- The salary
- The flexibility of working hours
Worst:
- IT issues
- Lack of communication between departments and the graduate scheme
- Lack of support for sustainable travel
Read the full review »
Best:
Reasonable salaries. and very flexible working.
Staff are encouraged and supported in taking qualifications and other personal development activities.
The ability to feel like you are helping somebody rather than just making money.
Diverse and respectful of equality.
Worst:
Like any other local authorities, budgetary pressures and political turmoil.
Often resistant to change and behind in terms of technological advances.
Some offices are difficult to reach via public transport.
, Kent Graduate Programme at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
- Forward thinking and embraces change.
- Works towards bettering services for all people across Kent.
- Opportunities for personal development and to progress within the organisation.
- Collaborative working between departments.
- Lots of training and development opportunities available.
- Majority of employees are allowed to work flexibly e.g. work at any KCC office, work from home and build up flexi time.
- 'Kent Rewards' which enables employees to access various rewards including half price cinema tickets and discounts at local restaurants, gyms, and activity centres.
Worst:
- Can sometimes feel very bureaucratic because of the political members and the decision-making processes.
- Politics influences decision making.
- Can be slow to make some change happen.
- Funding cuts are leading to cuts in some services, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction.
Read the full review »
Best:
Large organisation that offers plenty of opportunity.
Very supportive and keen to ensure you are progressing and are happy in your role.
Worst:
Decisions can be slow due to the nature of Local Government.
Operational Research Graduate, Strategic and Corporate Services at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
The people
Worst:
The beaurocracy
Gradute Management Trainee, Flexible at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Kent Rewards & flexible working
Worst:
Hot desking
Ideas getting stopped by members of the council
Not all managers are suitable for their roles.
Read the full review »
Best:
The ability to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders from all different sectors of society and the opportunity to pursue personal development, something that is taken very seriously by the county council.
Worst:
The rate of change, large organisations such as county councils can often get caught up in a 'this is how it is done' mentality regardless of whether the method works in practice or not.
Graduate Development Planner, Transport and Development Planning at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Personal and professional development is encouraged allowing you to shape your own career. The staff within the company are all very friendly and supportive, creating a nice working environment.
A healthy work/life balance is also encouraged meaning that your hours can be flexible and you are trusted as an employee.
Worst:
The organization is very large which can means communication across departments and teams can sometimes be a challenge.
Trainee Operational Researcher, Business Intelligence and Development at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Everyone wants to help you.
Worst:
A lot of talking and deliberating before any decisions get made.
Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
Training and support offered.
Working time/arrangement flexibility.
Huge organisation - so potentially meeting new people all the time.
Worst:
Sometimes institutionally biased towards certain methods/ideologies despite being a politician (member)-led environment.
Management Trainee, Kent Graduate Programme at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
The possibility of working alongside senior management and shadowing opportunities.
Continued training and development encouraged.
Flexible working.
Worst:
When working in local government you have to handle political conflicts at times and it can take a long time for decisions to be made.
Transport planner, Highways, transportation and waste at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
The varied workload.
Worst:
A lot of travel is involved, as teams are scattered across the county.
Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
There is generally a real openness to changing for the better. There are challenges that the organisation is facing but many staff are ready to work on those.
Worst:
Political sensitivity.
Graduate Management Stream, at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
Best:
They are very supportive, encouraging on-going development.
Worst:
On occasion, you may have to follow (elected) member direction even if you do not agree with it. However, I have yet to personally encounter this.
Management Graduate, Community Safety at Kent County CouncilRead the full review »
