Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Research the Civil Service Competencies.

Interview Advice: Rehearse examples of Civil Service Competencies.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Do all the practice tests, and preparation is 90% of the assessment centre.

Interview Advice: Read the competency framework.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Think carefully about whether you would take the job if you got it. While it looks good on paper, the practice is very different.

Interview Advice: Keep calm and conserve your energy. It's a long day!

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Make sure you fully research the application process before and practice the numerical, verbal reasoning and e-tray tests as much as you can before taking the real one.

Interview Advice: Read up on the civil service competencies and prepare examples that demonstrate each of them.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Practice the tests and then try to be comfortably confident if you get through to the assessment centre.

Interview Advice: The assessment centre, including the interview, is entirely competency based so read the civil service competency framework first.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Practice the online tests. Prepare for the interview / assessment centre: digest the competency framework. Don't worry if you are reapplying - having work experience somewhere else really helps with both the application process and the job

Interview Advice: The day is really long - be prepared and don't worry if you need to find somewhere to go alone to prep for a few minutes during the day. Don't let one section of the day that feels as if it went badly worry you too much. (I thought that I had failed based on my interview...the feedback said that it was my strongest area.)

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Practice your verbal and numerical reasoning. The online application has a psychometric testing stage. It's not the best way of sifting candidates, but it does cut down numbers. Don't fall at this hurdle through a lack of simple preparation. It's competitive - don't put all your eggs in one basket. Apply for other things too! If you're BAME, from a socially or economically disadvantaged background, or disabled you can apply for the Fast Stream Summer Diversity Internship. It's a great pre-Fast Stream opportunity, where you're dropped into a department for a couple of months and live the Fast Stream life. It's great for gathering experience ahead of the Fast Stream Assessment Centre.

Interview Advice: Read the Civil Service Competency Framework. Assessment Centre performances are marked largely against this.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Practice the tests and competency examples!

Interview Advice: Policy exercise- both options are equally viable and time is limited, so pick one quickly and start finding evidence you need rather than spending time deciding.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Always think about the competencies that you are demonstrating.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Review the competencies that they are testing for at each stage of the process. Don't worry about being 'polished' or giving the answer you think they are looking for. Try and talk to someone who has been through the application process before. Don't give up - it's a long process!

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Practice each stage in advance to prepare.

Interview Advice: Know the Civil Service Competencies and your examples.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: It takes a long time so be prepared for a wait. If you have a disability etc., declare it if you want to as they are very supportive and willing to make reasonable adjustments

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Make sure you are well acquainted with the Civil Service competency framework and keep in mind how you can demonstrate them in all of the assessment activities.

Interview Advice: Have clear and honest examples which reflect your development of the necessary skills and competencies; and ensure all examples are applied to future contexts: e.g. not just 'this is what I did' but 'this is what I did and this is how I would use that experience and expertise in this role'

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Research the whole process, especially the assessment centre, thoroughly - speak to as many people as possible. Be aware of the pros and cons of this role, and ensure you are happy to be involved in work that may be unpalatable at times.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Interview Advice: In the interview at the Fast Stream Assessment Centre they like to ask what you have learned from your experience and what you would change/do better next time. Self-reflection seems to be key.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Take your time Need to be flexible.

Interview Advice: Read all the info that's sent to you.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Read the civil service competencies.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Speak to someone who has done the Assessment Centre to get tips.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Practice the numerical and verbal tests beforehand.

Interview Advice: Think in terms of Civil Service Competency framework - but if you get to the assessment centre, you'll get a guide on all that.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Plenty of practice with verbal and numerical tests. Realise that verbal tests often require you to make inferences that are not 100% logically watertight, but can be assumed from the passage.. At assessment centres be calm, do everything to be calm.

Interview Advice: STAR - situation, task, action, result. Answer every question in that format. Focus on the action part.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Interview Advice: Prepare for competency based questions.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: The application process is quite lengthy (1 year from start of application to starting your new job) so you will need to maintain momentum and your interest in the job. You will need to be as enthusiastic for the job in September as in March.

Interview Advice: The interview process was competency based, although I think this has changed to be strengths based now. Either way, there is a formula to Civil Service interviews so study their advice in advance to anticipate what questions you might be asked.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Do your research, understand the core competencies and the civil service code. .

Interview Advice: Learn about the STAR method for answering interview questions.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Have patience! It's a long process.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: The assessment centre really does test the sort of things you may find yourself doing. In the group scenarios where you have to persuade colleagues with different priorities to your point of view, behave as you would if it were real. The interviewers would much rather see someone who can put their point across firmly and politely while maintaining relationships with colleagues than someone who gets their own way by force. In real life that isn't a success.

Interview Advice: Be yourself. In the competency questions talk about what you did personally and what that achieved, rather than what your team or others did.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Be enthusiastic and inquisitive.

Interview Advice: N/a

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Read the civil service competency framework.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Learn how to write and answer competency questions.

Interview Advice: See above.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Carry out extra practice on reasoning tests if you're worried. Make sure you have a quiet space available for the exercises. Prepare for the FSAC by getting yourself familiar with the information provided.

Interview Advice: Interviewer does know your background/education/work experiences - so be clear in your examples and provide context at the start. Have many examples ready in your mind before the day.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Adaptability and the capacity to work excellently with others are key.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Read the Civil Service Competency Framework and attempt to understand the variety of work undertaken by the Civil Service.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Prepare for the online tests - too many good candidates fail here because they don't take this seriously enough.

Interview Advice: Enjoy it - they're looking for someone who would enjoy working for the civil service.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Be aware of the time windows for test and prepare well for the online tests. Think carefully about which scheme will be the most relevant to you.

Interview Advice: Focus on acting confidently and collaboratively and take time to think when answering questions.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: There is extensive advice on the website- other than that, be yourself.

Interview Advice: As above.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: It's different to other graduate application processes so make sure you get as good an understanding of what the exercises as you can - it will save you time in the assessment centre. It's more skills than knowledge based.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Interview Advice: Try not to worry about how you did during a previous part of the day, just focus on the next section and try to do your best.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: If you are not able to work autonomously with little management support in new environment it wouldn't be for you!

Interview Advice: They very much focus on leadership qualities - look at the civil service competencies before you take part in the interview.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Don't be put off by the fact that it's the public sector and the pay may not be comparable to the private sector (despite my comment above). The scheme offers a unique chance to network and develop, building expertise in areas valuable inside and outside of government and this is more than worth it for four years of a lowered salary. The expectation is that by the end of the four years you will be able to leave the scheme as a well-rounded individual who would be a highly-valued asset in both the public and private sectors with a competitive salary to match. The application process may seem long (lasting around six months in total) but it's worth applying for and persevering with as the Fast Stream offers a brilliant opportunity.

Interview Advice: Try to familiarise yourself with the Civil Service Competencies (easily searchable on Google/Bing), these set-out the traits expected of a model civil servant. Ahead of the assessment centre/interview try to think of personal examples that can be related to each of these competencies and prepare some responses in case you are asked on these.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Study ahead of the online numerical and verbal reasoning tests - they can really catch you out. Be yourself at the Assessment Centre and remain calm - it's a tough day but panicking will have a negative impact on the rest of the day.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Prepare understanding and examples of all civil service competencies.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Take time to go through the guidance regarding the process - what happens at each stage, where you might be able to practice tests online etc. Also, although a large number of applicants and fast streamers are relatively fresh out of university, don't be afraid to give it a go if you have already been working in other sectors and are a little older - the opportunities it provides are fantastic, and with a little more worldly experience you are likely to be better placed to take advantage of them.

Interview Advice: Think about the civil service competencies and how your experience can be framed in terms of these indicators. Use STAR approach.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Do applications for other graduate schemes for practice, even if you have no interest in them. I did the Deloitte application as practice.

Interview Advice: Try to do a mock assessment centre if your university offers one. At the group exercise, remember that the point of it is to show that you can work well in a group, not to bully your policy position to the top! Make sure that you have good competency examples ready for the interview.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: It is a long application process (but rightly rigorous) which should be taken one step at a time. Do the practice tests, and don't panic if you don't do too well on them. Take the real tests in a quiet environment where you won't be disturbed or timed out. Be patient with the results process, which depends on how well other candidates are performing. There is advice published on gov.uk for how to approach the Assessment Centre, this is comprehensive and a lot more detailed than many schemes give about what to expect at interview. I also studied for example the Student Room which gave some candidates' insight into the process and found this useful. At the assessment centre keep calm and focussed. It is a good insight into the demands of the job.

Interview Advice: Civil Service interviews are based on the Civil Service competency framework, which is also available on gov.uk. The assessors are looking to tick off each of the "desired behaviours" on the list at HEO/SEO level, so make life easy for them and stick to this schema, using the STAR technique to illustrate your examples. Focus on what you specifically did, what your thought processes were i.e. why it wasn't coincidence, why it was challenging and what the outcome was. Prepare a couple of different examples for each competency which you can draw upon. Standard interview tips also apply!

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Interview Advice: Be yourself! There really isn't a civil servant "type".

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Give yourself plenty of time and a quiet place. Don't leave it until the last day - you never know when internet gremlins will strike or something unexpected happens.

Interview Advice: Prepare, be clear on your evidence and be yourself.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Practice tests beforehand. Think outside the box for e-tray.

Interview Advice: Be yourself. Why you wanted to join civil service? Prepare beforehand with competency framework.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)

Application Advice: Say yes to any task that's being given to you and figure out how to do it as you go along. The whole process is a learning opportunity and if you fight for a variety of tasks, you will get the best out of it.

Interview Advice: The old cliché of being yourself is the best advice here. My assessment centre for BucksCC was around my 3rd one and it was certainly the one in which I acted most like myself.

Industry: Fast Stream (Generalist)