The Civil Service is one of the UK’s largest employers, supporting the government to implement its policies. Its leadership development programme, the Fast Stream, is open to final-year and postgraduate students as well as graduates from any degree background. If you are interested in a unique opportunity to work on challenging, fast-paced projects that make a difference to the UK, the application window is now open.

To help you perform well at each of the different stages of the application process, we have compiled some useful tips and links to further resources below. We are also hosting an online event on Thursday, 15th October 2020, 4.00-5.00pm, where representatives from the Civil Service will provide an introduction to the scheme, give advice on the application process, and answer your questions. Sign up now via our events page.

Select your programme preferences
You can select up to four scheme preferences during the application process. With a total of 15 different schemes to choose from – ranging from commercial, finance, HR and project delivery to property, science & engineering, and the diplomatic service – it is important that you research your options and check your eligibility carefully. More than half of the schemes accept applications from candidates with any degree subjects, and you either need a confirmed or predicted degree classification of a 2:2 or 2:1, depending on the programme.

Preparing for the online tests
After submitting your background information and scheme preferences, you have five days to complete the first set on online tests, which consist of a work-style questionnaire and situational judgement test. Both tests are multiple-choice assessments and are untimed, but should take you around 120 minutes. If you pass the two tests, you have an additional five days to complete their ‘work-based scenarios’, which involve an online case study and learning assessments. Again, both are multiple choice and untimed, but should take around 90 minutes.

For the case study assessment, you will be asked to assume a fictitious role in the workplace and be given a number of tasks to complete. The learning assessment aims to discover how well you learn and how your judgement develops as you assume the role of a trainee on a leadership development programme.

To help you prepare for the online tests, download a copy of our psychometric tests guide (which includes information and tips on completing situational judgement tests), and use the free practice tests on our Careers Zone 24/7. Click on ‘Career Assessments’ to complete a selection of questionnaires similar to the work-style task, and click on ‘Tools’ > ‘Aptitude Tests’ > ‘Situational Judgement Test’ to practise this style of test. Also ensure you have familiarised yourself with the Civil Service behaviours and strengths (see section below on ‘How am I assessed?’) in preparation for all of the online tasks.

The video interview
If you pass the work-based scenarios, you will be invited to complete a 25-minute pre-recorded video interview within a five-day window. It consists of 9 questions focused on your experience and strengths, i.e. what you enjoy and find motivating or energising. Key strengths covered within the interview include adaptability, resilience, building relationships, learning, and inclusivity. The How to Apply pages provide you with a full list. In previous years, questions included: Name three things about the Fast Stream programme that appeal to you. Describe a time when you had to adapt to changing circumstances. How have you responded to any major setbacks? Would people describe you as prepared and organised? If so, why would they say that?

Your responses are recorded on a video interview platform – as there is no actual interviewer to ask you any follow-up questions, it is important that you prepare detailed answers. Download a copy of our preparing for interviews guide – look at the section on competency-based and strengths-based questions in particular – and then use our ShortlistMe video interview platform to practise. You can access this via our Careers Zone 24/7. Our blog post about virtual interviews provides some useful advice about key ‘broadcasting skills’ to consider for video interviews, such as lighting, room set-up and positioning of your laptop or device.

Preparing for the virtual assessment centre
During this half-day assessment centre, candidates complete a leadership exercise, a group exercise and a written exercise via an app that participants access remotely. Further details about the three exercises (as well as examples) are included in the Fast Stream Assessment Centre guide 2020.

In addition to this information, also download a copy of our assessment centre guide for some further advice on preparing for group and individual exercises, and watch our video on virtual assessment centres.

How am I assessed?
Throughout the application and selection process, you will be assessed against a set of core Civil Service behaviours and strengths. It is important that you research the relevant behaviours and strengths extensively, so that you are able to show evidence against these at each stage of the process. Download the overview of strengths and behaviours and familiarise yourself with these BEFORE taking your online tests. The Fast Stream programme is the equivalent of a Higher or Senior Executive Officer within the Civil Service, so study the corresponding Level 3 behaviours carefully. The expected example behaviours given for areas like making effective decisions, working together, or communicating and influencing will help you identify appropriate actions during the situational judgement test.

When preparing your responses for possible questions for the video interview, make sure that you use the same language from the behaviours and strengths documents. For example, when discussing your adaptability, talk about how you have adapted to ‘variations in work or your environment’, explain how your ‘effectiveness is not impacted by change’ and that you are ‘flexible and versatile’ and ‘act as an advocate for change’. While this is probably not the kind of language any of us would naturally choose to use, it can easily be applied to your examples and experiences. This approach not only demonstrates to the assessors that you have researched and understood the core strengths and behaviours, but will also help you to score well in the online tests, video interview and assessment centre.

Finally, we recommend that you carefully read through the information on the Fast Stream website on ‘How to Apply’ and their FAQs, as this provides detailed guidance and tips for each stage. Good luck with your applications!