A huge congratulations to Trevor on securing his Internship with Civil Service Fast Stream. Here he shares his experience and gvies some great advice for future applicants.
Why did you choose this firm and this role?
The Civil Service Fast Stream is renowned for having challenging work that impacts all aspects of life in the UK. Additionally, I found their drive for diversity very appealing and wanted to contribute to ensuring representation among ethic minorities at the highest levels.
What was the most challenging part of the application process? And your favourite part?
The most challenging part was how long the process was - I applied in October and found out I had secured a place in April. This meant a lot of uncertainty in making plans! The best part was finding out I was placed in a department and team that suited my interests. My advice here would be to communicate clearly to your interviewer your interests and preferences to ensure as good a fit as possible.
Were you surprised by anything in the process?
I was surprised by how different the interview process is. The telephone interview style is quite formulaic so knowing the competencies well helped me focus on presenting myself in the best way possible.
What three top tips would you give your fellow Bright Network members?
- Get the basics right - when making the initial application, get plenty of practice with online tests so that you can ace them. Triple check your written answers back-to-front so you can catch typos. And, remember to answer the question that's asked.
- Preparing for the interview - make sure you know and practice answers to competency questions! This area is where you should aim to sell yourself in the best way possible.
- Stick it out - the process is long, but if you've prepared well you'll have secured a place working on the biggest issues in British government.
And finally... do you have a lucky charm or pre-interview ritual?
I make sure I suit up properly. If I look good, I feel good. Things like ironing my shirt and doing up my tie properly goes a long way to making me feel 100%. I also chat to any other interviewees there, because I might well be working with them in the future!
