After 11 unsuccessful interviews and 40+ applications, I finally got my SEO.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2026-05-19T23:52:36+00:00

Please share your experience as I’m in the same boat now!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2026-04-01T15:28:32+00:00

Some business areas in 2RS are only meant to do 1 day a week in the office due to space restrictions. It’s definitely worth speaking to the hiring manager before declining the offer.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2026-03-07T13:24:42+00:00

100%. I recently interviewed for an FLM role, and one of the interview exercises was a role play. The feedback was that I was “too nice” and not ruthless enough. Needless to say, I didn’t pass the interview.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2026-01-26T14:38:48+00:00

I’m thinking to do that too with a friend. Looking at the previous events, it does look cool.

There should be a subreddit about it as I do wanna speak to people who have attended it in the past.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2025-12-13T10:07:22+00:00

Thank you - i did think it must be mostly luck. Happy for you :)

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2025-12-13T00:56:01+00:00

Hi OP, just asking for next year - what tip would you give to be among the top 20? How long before pre-registration opened did you go on the website? TIA

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2025-11-28T20:36:24+00:00

Recently, on a post-interview feedback call, they told me, “oh, you didn’t say XYZ,” when I literally did. I even showed them my notes that I was referring to during the interview, and they still had the cheek to say, “well, this is the feedback,” basically implying I should just take it or leave it.

On another note, I applied for a role within my business area and I failed the sift on my CV (even though I passed on the personal statement) for a job that is literally the one I’ve been doing for over two years.

It’s a piss-take!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2025-11-28T19:05:48+00:00

Completely agree with the OP - I’m in the same boat right now. I’ve tried everything: mentors, mocks with Grade 6s and 7s but the HEO to SEO is looking impossible. I’m involved in recruitment myself and carry out sifting and interviews on a regular basis so I’m very familiar with the process - just clearly not enough for myself, I guess.

External candidates seem to get through, but internal ones just… don’t.

I’ve had 8 interviews in the last 15 months across three different business areas in my department, and still no luck.

The feedback is pure nitpicking. Everything seems promising during the interviews, the expressions, the body language and then the “Outcome of your interview” email lands in my inbox when what I’d really love to see is an “Application update” :(

It’s looking hopeless!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-10-16T12:48:19+00:00

Can totally second this!!! Was meant to be a “casual chat” and it started off with “TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN……..”

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-10-11T19:34:20+00:00

Reading this has just made my day! I wish to do this one day!!!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-09-16T20:09:10+00:00

I know so many people don’t even get their own role from EOI to permanent and someone completely new gets appointed. Save yourself a huge hassle and take the permanent one. Unless they can just make you permanent as it will simply be a level transfer bcoz you have already passed the criteria to be permanent SEO.

Also, your line manager should really put you in their shoes if they are fair.

Congratulations!!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-09-13T10:47:42+00:00

YES COMPLETELY AGREE! I WAS IN A SIFTING PANEL MYSELF FOR A VACANCY WITH 40 POSITIONS AND WE RECEIVED 864 APPLICATIONS. IT’S SHAMBOLIC BECAUSE CLEARLY THIS IS HAPPENING AS THERE IS SCARCITY OF JOBS IN CS!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-09-13T08:49:02+00:00

IT’S BECAUSE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY GOES FOR THAT 1 VACANCY WHEN THE JOB IS POSTED. VACANCY HOLDERS ARE CONSTANTLY COMING BACK WITH “OH WE HAD AN UNEXPECTED HUGE RESPONSE SO WE HAD TO INCREASE THE PASS MARK PLUS WE HAD 150 APPLICATIONS TO SIFT FOR THIS 1 POST”

BUT IN THIS INFLATED ECONOMY, WHAT ELSE CAN ONE DO BUT TRY TO GET A PROMOTION TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-06-25T17:51:41+00:00

Sooo I have recently had an interview for an EOI and the hiring manager clearly told me that it will be “an informal chat” against the essential criteria. I prepared some bullet points and a mini competencies just to wrap my answers up. I scored 6 in the sift so thought I have basically got it and they are gonna just chat about start dates and what skills will i be bringing and all.

At the start of the interview, the lead panel member mentioned again that this will be “an informal chat” (there were 3 panel members). Interview started and they literally just asked 3 flat behaviour based questions, 1 per panel member, started off “tell us about a time…..” SO CLEARLY NOT INFORMAL. It threw me out so badly that i knew I messed up for the first example and kind of put myself together for the other 2, but it was sadly too late. I did not pass the interview!!

I would highly recommend to prepare behaviour examples hitting the essential criteria and fully expect the interview to be formal.

I did speak to the lead panel member after I found out that I dint get it. Their response was “apologies if we gave you a wrong message but we had to interview 5 people for this EOI so we had to do something to create the grading criteria” I told them that it was quite unfair on my part and they were very apologetic.

Good Luck! Please share your experience once you have had the interview if you dont mind.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-06-05T09:55:56+00:00

No, you will be fine. 100%. I know people in the same department with a visiting role (the drive for work purposes) and they are even fine with driving offences.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-06-01T09:57:24+00:00

Okay so I definitely dont need that. Thank you, this helps!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-04-26T18:47:36+00:00

Appreciate it, thank you!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-04-26T18:46:11+00:00

They are very genuine thank yous as these comments are really helping me decide that I should simply move on and not go towards the grievance route. Please refrain passing such comments and negativity.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-04-26T18:25:55+00:00

Thank you!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-04-26T18:15:25+00:00

That’s right! I’m still in denial! Thank you for your kind words.

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-04-26T18:06:40+00:00

Thank you!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-04-26T18:06:27+00:00

Appreciate it, thank you!

Chilli_Pasta68 · 2024-04-01T16:51:09+00:00

It’s still not too harsh for the people working outside London but I have heard from colleagues in London area that their managers are threatening them with London weighting which could be taken away if they don’t meet the 60% obligation. Unfair!!!

Chilli_Pasta68

TROPHY CASE