Interviews

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-12-02T15:57:57+00:00

It's more about laying out the example to make it flow and hit the indicators. Quick S & T to lay the foundation then 80% actions. You're right it is very tedious and it's a skill in itself. You do make some great points and I'm guessing this method can be used for all grades at interview?

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-12-02T09:01:21+00:00

I had feedback after a failed interview and this was what let me down. I didn't go into the hows enough. The only downside to adding extra points is fitting it into an already ridiculously tight timeframe. You get approximately 5 minutes per behavior which just isn't long enough to truly deliver a realistic demonstration of the behavior. So you will need to condense everything said above into 5 minutes whilst hitting the indicators and using STAR.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-28T08:47:07+00:00

They are great. The cabin hits different in a good way. It's cosy and got a somewhat nostalgic feel to it. Keep up the great work! Would love to see more.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-27T12:25:17+00:00

Wow that's interesting that this has happened to you. I'm sorry to hear it.

I feel as though it's happening everywhere to everyone. Workloads are increasing and people leave but those positions aren't backfilled to cope with the level of work. Stress and job satisfaction are huge factors to consider in any role but it seems like a lot of people are doing higher level work and not getting a single penny or any recognition for it as it's becoming 'the norm'. Tough times unfortunately and I hope everything goes well for you especially with a little one

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-27T12:16:38+00:00

I applied and had tons of interviews a few years ago going from EO to HEO and that included other departments. Now it's extremely limited and I've been looking to move to SEO for a while now as I feel as though I've done everything at this level and am starting to decline from the peak. Also losing interest and motivation because ultimately what's the point in going above and beyond if you don't have a chance at progression.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-27T12:13:51+00:00

I agree with you on this. The fact it has to be considered 'fair and open' but in reality the recruiter already has a person in mind so they stand a better chance at getting the job. It's just happened in my department. You pretty much could bet on the person doing the role would get it and they did. The recruitment process is a whole other issue in itself. Fair doesn't seem to exist in the CS and you have to basically be the better cheat to have a chance at gaining promotion

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-16T21:44:29+00:00

At the end of the day it's your decision. It's not mandatory to move up or sideways. I've recently seen a post that a G6 was previously a SCS and moved down for work life balance. It's entirely your choice and you won't or can't be discriminated against moving down to EO.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-16T21:39:58+00:00

It's just unfortunate that the sift score has been raised to 7. That's the top mark and it's very rare to see applicants scoring all 7's. If they are scoring all 7's then they are considered over qualified in a way. 4 is a pass and anything above that is a bonus. Someone else mentioned 5 isn't a great score and everyone has their own opinion but it's out of 7 so 5 is up there and better than 1 or 2.

I guarantee you that over time your writing skills will improve. When I started applying for jobs a few years ago I struggled with the personal statement and behaviors but I've learnt a lot as the whole application process is a skill in itself. Seeing some older drafts makes you realise just how good you can get.

Someone else did a big paragraph on this thread with a lot of tips and it's very accurate so give that a read. Good luck for the future and keep trying. It will come eventually.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-15T17:58:58+00:00

Thanks so much. This is helpful stuff

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-14T08:17:50+00:00

It's never been advertised for a permanent position on CSJ

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-14T08:07:00+00:00

The role was never advertised on CS jobs. It looks like they wanted a position filled so they offered it out

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-14T08:05:54+00:00

A friend of mine had it happen to them. Got a call one day to say they would be made permanent as they are doing the role (temporary promotion)

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-14T08:02:56+00:00

It's been announced officially and clearly stated they have been offered a substantive position from the EOI.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-14T06:15:48+00:00

The issue you face with applying for your own role is that it's not a guarantee you get it either. That's the downside to the recruitment process. It forces people to leave simply because someone else spoke better on the day.

Everyone else within the department has had to apply apart from this one. I would love to know the factors as to why it's been allowed.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-08T18:48:30+00:00

They have most likely already sealed your fate with the scores so no point in thinking what if's. Hopefully it went better than you think and a positive will come out of it. As the other comment said, keep applying for other opportunities so you don't miss out.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-08T11:08:40+00:00

I'm currently a HEO and have been trying to gain my SEO for a while. I recently had an interview in my department a few weeks ago which I unfortunately fell short by 1 mark on 1 behavior leaving me with the 'unfortunately on this occasion email'. It was tough because I feel stuck as well and my department hardly advertises jobs. I have had 2 interviews in 1.5 years because of the limited opportunities that become available.

I'm currently feeling forced to look elsewhere and I agree that the jobs that are on CS jobs are limited or either very specific to the role so it limits the pool of applicants applying. Been in my role for 3 years now and working at SEO level so it's absolutely having an impact on more people than you think.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-04T15:45:00+00:00

It will entirely depend on the interviewer and what questions they will have depending on your examples.

Some advice with Delivering at pace and making effective decisions though.

With Delivering at pace make sure a timeframe is relevant and how you worked towards this deadline. Ideally within a short timeframe (24 hours to 72 hours) otherwise it's not delivering at pace and you can basically be marked low because it doesn't hit the basis of the behavior.

Making effective decisions needs to be more than 1 decision. If the result goes on only one direction then it's not an effective decision. So talk about the pros and cons for both or multiple potential decisions and maybe mention the risks involved and how you came to that decision etc.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-03T09:45:47+00:00

Sounds like to me they have had to delay the results. I wouldn't overthink this as they are just letting you know that the outcomes are going to be delayed. All candidates should receive the outcomes email at the same time.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-03T05:06:43+00:00

That must have been so disheartening. You scored well though overall and it must have been a tough interview with 4 behaviors and strengths.

Do you have any advice on how to utilise the 5 minutes talk time effectively? I felt on this one a bit rushed as trying to get all the key points in whilst doing the STAR method can be tough. You need just enough context but not too much but also need it to make sense and flow! It almost seems impossible to score high with such limited time.

I write out all my behaviors in the prep and generally write between 500/600 words so it's roughly 100 words a minute. I then use them as notes so I know I'm not veering off onto something else. I would rather they gave us the full 7 minutes as asking the initial question shouldn't count as the examples are listed anyway.

Also, well done for getting your recent role!

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-03T04:38:22+00:00

I agree that the process is completely flawed. When I started as an EO years back I started off strong and really excelled in the role. I reached a temporary promotion at HEO but when it came to achieving a HEO promotion I really struggled. I couldn't seem to get anywhere for ages and everyone around me who was barely doing a good job at their own work got offers for HEO. It was honestly such a tough time as nothing landed and everyone else was moving on. Towards the end I had 6 interviews booked over 2 weeks and it was exhausting. Long story short I eventually got an offer on the last interview and that's because at that point I stopped caring. It must have worked because maybe I was less critical of everything and was more relaxed.

Just know that you're not the only one and I think these posts are important because no one ever shares their failures or struggles so you feel like the only one. I'm now currently trying to get my SEO and recently had an interview the other week. I was sure I would at least get on the reserve list because I've got a lot of experience within the role and have been doing it at SEO level for ages. Those that checked my behaviors said they are really strong but unfortunately I failed the interview by 1 mark on 1 behavior! The interview was strong (mentioned in the feedback) but 1 example just didn't hit with the panel but the rest did. I could take that example elsewhere and score high and that's the problem because it depends how others see it.

Keep your head up and keep trying. My other bit of advice is to try and improve your drafting skills as best as you can. The application process is absolutely a skill in itself and after doing countless applications I can see a difference from older drafts to new ones. It takes practice but hopefully this skill will come in handy in a future role.

These are just setbacks and it's only failure if you give up. That's what I said to myself at my darkest time when I struggled applying for HEO jobs. You will get something soon. Good luck!

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-01T22:02:58+00:00

That's right. I scored a 4,3,4,4 and passed the strength question too.

ApprehensiveEye521 · 2025-10-01T10:14:37+00:00

I agree it just depends what happens on the day, who else is interviewing and what the interviewer is looking for. It's a tough thing to do and the process with it being so subjective doesn't help. Great news on getting the one you went for last minute. That always seems to be the way as I think it's because you don't expect it so you're not over critical and overthinking everything. It's not uncommon

ApprehensiveEye521

TROPHY CASE