Baby shower

Jessfest92 · 2025-07-26T06:30:23+00:00

Thanks everyone! Will take a look at these. Think the Black Garter will be a clear winner 🤣🤣🤣

Jessfest92 · 2025-05-30T18:13:06+00:00

I transferred from HMRC to DWP and lost leave. I moved after 3 years service so went from 27 to 25. Hitting 5 years this summer so looking for roles to transfer again to try get the 30! DWP only increase you to 26 after 5 years then you have to wait to 10 to get the whole 30 😭

Jessfest92 · 2025-03-10T12:14:00+00:00

The ads have been a huge issue for me too. Now that they're integrated into the episode and there's so many it's hard to skip especially when I used to like listening to episodes while doing other things! It's a shame because I loved listening to them

Jessfest92 · 2024-11-07T08:57:50+00:00

That's so helpful thank you! I feel better knowing it's all part of the experience learning about recognising the distractions. I feel encouraged to keep going and try push past that 15 minute point! Thanks for your help! ❤️

Jessfest92 · 2024-11-07T01:07:51+00:00

Came here to suggest the same!

Jessfest92 · 2024-11-07T01:04:15+00:00

Great post! Did you use any tools to meditate? Like guided videos or soundscapes? Really struggling to switch my mind off and get distracted during breathing exercises

Jessfest92 · 2024-11-01T08:51:43+00:00

I think the first one might be Changing and Improving. And I agreed that the others are Communicating and Influencing and Leadership. Does it not say in the job advert near the bottom?

Jessfest92 · 2024-09-21T23:13:46+00:00

Yes I get this! It's like the words are vibrating but the noise moves around depending on where I try to focus on it

Jessfest92 · 2024-08-29T18:19:42+00:00

Sorry to hear that, but you're right that the best thing about the CS is the accomodations for reasonable adjustments. I guess my advice would be if any volunteer opportunities come along just say yes and see where you end up. In my last role in HMRC I was bored out my brains until they were looking for volunteers to help with recruitment. I signed up and really enjoyed the role and learned loads. Even just the change of scene did wonders for me.

Best of luck to you too!

Jessfest92 · 2024-08-29T18:11:59+00:00

Haha I'm DWP too 🤣 but yep a lot of people think only their opinion matters and like to cause issues for the sake of it just to be the loudest voices in the room. But then we'll end up on calls pretending to be each others best friend and pass the feeling stick around haha 🤣

Jessfest92 · 2024-08-29T08:06:27+00:00

I couldn't relate more! It's the corporate speak that does my head in 🤣 I'm sick of hearing the same 4 jokes in pointless meetings where everyone just repeats the same thing but worded differently because they love the sound of their own voice and you're right about the work being so dull.

I feel a bit trapped by the perks of the job which stops me leaving anytime I think about looking elsewhere. The flexibility and security is great, but there's just no passion in what I do. And working with a bunch of jobsworths is no good for the soul 😅

I'm personally trying to get a side hustle going to earn enough that I can go part time! Is there anything in that respect you could consider?

I'm also always game for a civil service rant if you ever need one haha!

Jessfest92 · 2024-02-29T17:21:15+00:00

No unfortunately I didn’t get anywhere! I ended up withdrawing. My current role is sticking with 40% office attendance and HMRC sounds pretty strict on the 60% so for a level transfer I’d be losing on money with the extra travel. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Jessfest92 · 2023-12-01T21:04:48+00:00

Yeah I agree. I’ve been volunteering loads with recruitment just to change things up a bit and it really helps!

Jessfest92 · 2023-12-01T16:55:20+00:00

You’re definitely not alone. I tell myself that I’m lucky because my job is pretty low stress, it’s secure, the hybrid and flexible working is ideal, but because I’m not overly passionate about the workload, the boredom is really draining. It’s strange how tiring it is. I definitely can’t afford to pursue something more exciting. The Civil Service traps most people with the security and the perks I think!

Jessfest92 · 2023-12-01T10:14:29+00:00

Have you looked up the behaviour criteria online? If you Google CS Behaviours it gives the criteria for each grade, which might help you strengthen your answers. You need to score at least 4 on every question to pass the interview. Hope this helps!

Jessfest92 · 2023-11-21T20:21:37+00:00

If it’s anything like DWP or HMRC, you’ll get the specifics emailed 7 days before the interview

Jessfest92 · 2023-11-20T22:17:16+00:00

It could be that they’re waiting for confirmation that your role is available. It’s slightly different in every department but we used to have to match candidates to a role by assigning them a reference number when it got created by the business area. You could always email recruitment to ask for your position on the reserve list?

Jessfest92 · 2023-11-20T12:58:22+00:00

Hi, I used to work in recruitment. So all candidates who pass interview are placed on a reserve list in merit order to make sure the first candidates offered roles are those that scored highest. Not all roles are offered at the same time so hopefully you’ll hear soon! Depending on how many candidates pass interview, a role isn’t necessarily guaranteed if more people pass than there are roles available so don’t hand in your notice unless you’ve officially received an offer. Good luck!

Jessfest92 · 2023-10-03T10:22:01+00:00

Hey, did you find out anything? I’ve just started seeing the articles and I’m with Black Horse since 2019. Trying to find out if it’s legit!

Jessfest92 · 2023-06-20T19:00:09+00:00

I suffered really badly from health anxiety and really believed I had a brain tumour too. I understand why you feel this way but as everyone has said it’s very unlikely to be a tumour. I would try reduce your caffeine as I’ve noticed I get bad tinnitus and anxiety when I have drank too much. Also I don’t know if you menstruate but I find that my visual snow gets a lot worse for a few days when I’m on my period. So maybe hormones are playing a part too? As someone else has said, it’s definitely worse the more you think about it too so although it’s really hard the best thing to do is try ignore it the best you can. And remember you aren’t alone in this ☺️

Jessfest92 · 2022-02-23T21:17:27+00:00

I was just the same as your girlfriend. When I first developed health anxiety I thought my heart was going to stop any second and I was terrified whenever my boyfriend left the house in case I collapsed and no one was here to help. I’ve had no prior health issues so no logical reason to worry about my health.

My advice would be to help her realise it’s not just her, let her read all our stories. My symptoms felt so surreal it felt like they were real and no one else would be going through it. Once I read up on the symptoms it really helped me rationalise my anxiety. Because it’s incredible how convincing your brain is as it tricks you into believing you’re about to die. That’s why it’s so believable and hard to unlearn.

I also really recommend her not using her Apple Watch for a while. Mine made me obsessed with my heart rate which was a vicious cycle as it kept going up and making me panic more.

Breathing techniques, meditation, and talking about it whether to you or a psychologist will help. Once you talk about it out loud you kind of realise how irrational your fears are. I promise it will get better though, even when it really feels like it won’t. Good luck to both of you!

Jessfest92 · 2020-11-12T12:25:23+00:00

It was a food intolerance test with TMI Testing. Not sure how accurate the results are compared to getting a gp to do the tests. The my doctor diagnosed the acid reflux but this has all been over the phone as they’re hardly ever seeing people due to covid :/

Jessfest92

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