Job Interview with DWP

A question about : Job Interview with DWP

I have a Job interview at DWP for A/O post on Monday. The problem is im so c**p with inteviews as it is. I have the preparation for interview paper and I just want to cry. I don't know where to start with these questions they will be asking. Its giving me a bad head trying to think how do answer them. Any help would be most appreciated.

Engaging effectively with internal and external customers.
Making the best use of resources
Improving performance
Building constructive working relationships

Best answers:

• Hi there, don't panic!
  I work for DWP and have just been through the promotion process, hadn't had an interview since my last promotion 9 years ago and I got the job!
  They are looking for you to to tell them an example of where you've done these things.
  You'll need to briefly explain a situation, how you dealt with it and what the result was. Have you got an example for each that you want to use? It doesn't have to be anything too complicated or long winded, if you post your examples I'll try and give you an idea of what they will be looking for.
  Sam
• If you don't want to post details on here then feel free to PM me
• Try and keep your examples simple and to the point so that you don't get muddled when you answer, think about what questions they might ask you about the example you have given.
  Practice on someone, tell them your example and let them ask you about it.
• Start with what the situation was.
• Your role (what YOU did).
• Then the outcome.

The most important thing is that your examples do actually demonstrate the skill in the question.
Do you have much work experience? If not you can use examples from outside work, eg clubs you belong to or school/college etc.
Wish you all the best for Monday (remember the interviewer was once sat where you are).
Congratulations to the DWP by the way, making approx 80,000 staff redundant over the last few years because they are apparently so overstaffed and now having to recruit & train new staff all over again. Planned that well didn't they:rolleyes:

• The DWP are not pyschic, they didn't know any sooner than anyone else that there would be an economic downturn, they cannot keep staff on the payroll just in case. In actual fact the majority of the people that we are now attempting to recruit will be on Fixed Term Contracts not Permanent contracts, that is if we can recruit for the vacancies at all, its notoriously difficult not only to recruit but to retain people.
• pk57 this sounds like the same type of position i had an interview for about a month ago. The interview notes i got actually said you to take in a few brief notes into the interview (which i did) i just jotted down an event or expereince for each of those categories you listed, just to give me a reminder if my mind went blank.
  Mine took place in a hotel bedroom in Liverpool, very surreal!!
  The two interviewers seemed more nervous than me
  Good luck it will be fine
• Thanks for your reply's, I'm reading the preparation notes and trying to work out what to say as I go along. A question they always ask in interviews is tell me something about yourself :confused: what do they want to know?
• Good Luck.
  I have an interview on wednesday and I know how you are feeling.
  Just be yourself and relax. And remember, the interview is also for you to judge them, it's not just a one way thing.
• Good of luck for Wednesday babs2008. I just get the sinking feeling ill be spending the weekend planning my interview notes.
  Thanks for the tips peps most welcome.
• Hi there, you may already know this but ive always been told to follow the STAR technique when answering these type of interview questions. its as follows
  S - situation - give a brief example of what the situation was
  T - task - explain the task or objective you had to achieve
  A- action - explain the actions you took to achieve this
  R - result - end with, as a result of this.........eg our productivity went up by 50% etc
  this way you can split down your answer in to 4 parts and not lose your way whilst answering. hope this helps ?
  good luck!!!
• Have you got the full descriptions of the four competencies? Have a look through them and make sure that your examples hit all the requirements. As someone else said it is perfectly acceptable to take notes in with you - even if they are just to help you stay on track.
• Just in case
  engaging effectively with customers
  improving performance
  making best use of resources
  building constructive working relationships
  All are required at level one for AO vacancies.
  Good luck!
• Hope your Interview goes well babs2008
• Thanks mother_hub. I'd just logged on to tell you all.
  I think it went well. The interview started at 2pm and I was there until 4.24pm
  There were a few tests and things, but they seemed really nice and it would be a great job.
  I was the first they'd interviewed, so they told me it may be a little while before they have a decision. I should know be Christmas, I hope.
  Hey pk57 - you didn't tell us how yours went?