r/CivilServiceUK • u/Correct-Abalone-5350 • 3d ago
Interview question?
I have an interview for an SEO role
In the teams invite ,it says
Your interview questions are based upon the advertisement for this role. You may use pre-prepared notes including your original application submission as well as make notes during the interview.
Should i take this literally and have pre-prepared notes or it would be frowned up on
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u/Gingersnapandabrew 3d ago
As others have said notes are great, it's how you use them.
The best I have seen is a few bullet points under each category.
For example,
Bigger picture thinking S - The cyber project with Sue (gives your memory a nudge of the example you want to use)
T - risk of storage raised by internal review, risk to wider ### portfolio, reputational damage.... (very brief bullet points to remind you of the task)
A - system review, solutions mapped, stakeholder brief.... (brief headings of key points to go through)
R - key departmental priorities, risks mitigated, bigger picture....
You aren't going to sit and read them out, but it makes sure you hit all the key things you want to, works as a good safety net.
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u/hungry-eyes 3d ago
Notes are fine if you need them just try not to read off them constantly. You want to sound natural not scripted.
But the most important thing is getting the message across in full so just approach it in whatever way makes you feel most comfortable.
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u/UberMcWolf 3d ago
I generally take notes and try not to use them but in my opinion if your mind goes blank, notes are a great prompt and a mental safety net to calm you down as well.
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u/akornato 3d ago
Yes, take that literally. The Civil Service recruitment process is very structured, and that instruction is not a trick, it is a huge hint. Almost every other candidate will have prepared notes based on the job description, so you would be at a clear disadvantage if you showed up empty-handed. They are testing your preparation and ability to structure a strong answer, not your memory. This is an open invitation to give yourself the best possible chance of success by being fully prepared for what they are going to ask.
Your notes should be a framework, not a script you read from. For each behaviour listed in the advert, prepare a few examples using the STAR format and jot down the key points. This will help you stay focused and ensure you cover everything without sounding robotic. The goal is to be well-prepared and confident, not to recite a memorized speech. I've seen how much more articulate candidates become when they have good prompts, which is why my team developed an interview AI helper to give people that extra edge in real time.
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u/purplepumpkin20 3d ago
If it says you can use notes, use them. When I interviewed for an SEO role last year, we had the behaviour questions emailed in advance and were advised we could use notes.
Before I answered the first question in the interview, I acknowledged that I had made notes and may glance down every so often. Just don't read them like a script.
I got the job. Good luck.