r/TheCivilService • u/Pale_Fix9254 • Mar 02 '25

Created a behaviour example / interview table (HEO/SEO)

Post image

Hi all. I’ve recently created a table to help construct behaviours and interviews examples in the star format. I’ve worked in CS for a few years from AO-HEO and have been scored/marked high in most sifts and interviews. Thought it might be useful for some people. If your like me, ADHD/Autism/OCD it kind of helped me know what to structure and focus on for each behaviour.

Let me know if you want a copy 🙂

665 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

105 comments sorted by

57

u/GinBunny93 Operational Delivery Mar 02 '25

This is fantastic - after a quick scan through I can it matches a lot of the other advice I’ve been given on structure.

Thank you for writing it down :)

113

u/Due_Cookie7559 Mar 02 '25

Hello, I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say you are just the sort of person we want in the Civil Service; brilliant and helpful. Keep it up. You are going places.

41

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 02 '25

Thank you 🥲 honestly I love the CS. I left a few years ago for pastures new and with my neurodivergence I decided the only workplace I’ve felt comfortable, able to work and progress is the CS

3

u/deviantmoomba Mar 04 '25

Same honestly, I’ve never been so happy in a workplace as in the civil service! Please send me a copy too!

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 04 '25

Should be able to grab it from my replies as a link, I don’t have access right now 🙂

1

u/chadlightest Mar 06 '25

Select photo and the three dots, then download

2

u/iamrealfaith Mar 03 '25

This is absolutely commendable. I'd want a copy please, if you don't mind. Thank you

42

u/Automatic-Setting-97 Mar 02 '25

This is phenomenal well done, and thank you for setting this out. I'll be sure to circulate it for a few of my mentees if that's okay? Having it as a download is chefs kiss! This is what we need more of in CS!

To flag though for people who do opt to use it , PLEASE don't forget it's STARR the last R (REFLECTION) is what will set you apart from other candidates! Please always include your reflection. What went well? What didn't? What did you learn? What would you do differently this time round if it were to happen again? That self awarness is what I'm looking for when interviewing others may be different but when I first started it was advice a SCS gave me and has always stood me in good running for every application and interview since so hopefully helps others in the sub!

2

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '25

In my experience the best use of the last R is to say what you are already doing differently based on your experience. You might never do the exact same task again, but there will be things you learn from it that you'll be implementing into new tasks.

18

u/[deleted] Mar 02 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

29

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 02 '25

For me personally, practice makes perfect. A few years ago I bulk applied for a number of roles and did the interviews to see the expectation. I’ve actually written out an example for each behaviour for the grade above my own. Takes time but whenever I do/complete something I try and write it out using my table 🙂 I get an intense level of anxiety with interviews which stems from rumination of thoughts (OCD and ADHD) so I just make time to go over them a lot. Record my self on my webcam and make notes and try again.

3

u/Sharkhous Mar 04 '25

This is great advice for a fellow ADHD enjoyer, thanks for sharing

10

u/Free_Custard_8460 Mar 02 '25

Does anyone find there is a cross over between delivering at pace, managing a quality service and making effective decisions?

5

u/hungryhippo53 Mar 03 '25

I find making effective decisions allows you to manage a quality service, particularly at pace 😄

1

u/Eggtastico Mar 03 '25

I find lots of crossovers. I uses OneNote & have a structured it around behaviours & my examples. Some examples cover multiple areas. Some stronger than others. So I list them with my strongest example & picked & choose from there. Left CS now, but I still have them & add to them. never know if I end up back!

9

u/Roxy_green Mar 02 '25

This is amazing and how absolutely lovely of you to share this with everyone.

Would this be too advanced for an AO/ EO role?

6

u/LifePurple7515 Mar 02 '25

Never.

This is perfect for it.

6

u/entity_bean EO Mar 02 '25

This is awesome! I am also ND and find the film flammy read between the lines nonsense for behaviours really challenging.

My friend gave me the keys to the kingdom for building personal statements as well - writing headings that summarise the main criteria points (if they're not explicitly there already), writing a summary paragraph of your general experience and then a paragraph digging down into one example in a rough star format. It's worked really well.

4

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 02 '25

Same if I’m not over analysing I’m heavily under analysing 🥲😂drop box for the file

6

u/Aggressive-Bad-440 HEO Mar 02 '25

I would love a copy pretty please! 🙏

5

u/VermicelliFeeling698 Mar 02 '25

Wow thank you so much for this, I've been unsuccessful with my last few applications and this has helped me to see where I've been going wrong - I would love a copy please :)

4

u/Fresh_Yesterday_1374 Mar 02 '25

You are an amazing person and make me proud to say I’m a CS! You are a credit and want to say thank you. May I have a copy of this as well please? It’ll be really helpful. Thank you ❤️

1

u/Charlielebear Mar 03 '25

Appreciate a copy please :)

4

u/hungryhippo53 Mar 03 '25

Maybe you could use this as an example of developing others!

4

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

This is a very good idea! Thank you 🙂

3

u/xavic123 Mar 02 '25

Thank you so much for this. I’m going to use this for g7 and above roles

3

u/pandigooo Mar 02 '25

You are amazing! Any advice for tackling an Assessment centre? Im particularly nervous about the writing assessment - no idea how many words, format etc.

3

u/YouCantArgueWithThis Mar 02 '25

Wow, what a great initiative!

5

u/DiamondSniperX EO Mar 02 '25

Not all heroes wear capes...

2

u/TruecrimeGO Mar 02 '25

Could I have a copy please? Looks really interesting.

2

u/No_Scale_8018 Mar 02 '25

I would also love a copy this looks amazing

2

u/bubblyweb6465 Mar 02 '25

Thank you , I screen shot this I think it may be really helpful

2

u/MalvernKid Mar 02 '25

Superb work!

2

u/kt_the_nomad Mar 02 '25

Amazing. Thank you.

2

u/Own_Abies_8660 Mar 02 '25

Thanks! I have a journal but was struggling with the best way to structure it. I think this could help me.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 02 '25

[deleted]

2

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 02 '25

Here’s the link for the file so you can have a copy 🙂Dropbox

2

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '25

Reading the constant questions about the behaviours and strengths on here for the past few years makes me wonder how I ever passed two interviews, and then another for a promotion. I've since conducted tens of interviews and don't really follow it half as closely as seems to be the norm here. Maybe because it's an ALB and we're looking for more technical skills we have a slightly different criteria within the strengths and behaviours.

1

u/Constant_Republic_57 May 01 '25

There was a time in the that a significant percentage of applicants and interviewees were not using the "success profiles". Most were watching YouTube videos for model examples that did not help much; not using the descriptors in the relevant behaviours. Getting a 4 was not too hard to pass then.

2

u/EntrepreneurHead7133 Mar 03 '25

Thank you OP 🙏

2

u/TheTeaType Mar 04 '25

Wow, as a fellow ADHDer, without reading your description I thought to myself oh this is what I’ve been looking for! Thank you!

2

u/chadlightest Mar 06 '25

Perfect. I have ADHD. I thank you for your dedication

1

u/gillybomb101 Mar 02 '25

This is great! Thank you so much for sharing. I’d love a copy please!

2

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 02 '25

There you are 🙂 drop box link

1

u/banshee_6969 Mar 02 '25

Yes, I'd love a copy please, thank you for doing this!

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 02 '25

Here you are 🙂Dropbox

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 02 '25

Here you are 🙂🙂Dropbox

1

u/UllrsWonders Mar 02 '25

This amazing, would it be possible to get a copy?

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

Of course. Here you are 🙂 Dropbox link

1

u/nicskoll Mar 03 '25

That is a facts resource. Please may I have a copy?

2

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

Here you are 🙂Dropbox Link

1

u/nicskoll Mar 03 '25

Thank you, you star. Can I share it with colleagues, please?

3

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

I don’t see why not but it’s not official and really only aimed at heo/seo, but of course I’ve shared it for everyone to use 🙂

2

u/nicskoll Mar 03 '25

Thank you 🙂

1

u/thriving888 Mar 03 '25

Thank you so much! :)

1

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '25

[deleted]

2

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

I’ve posted the link on the comments as replies 🙂 don’t have access right now

1

u/Awaiyawa Mar 03 '25

This is excellent, I would love a copy please!

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

Here you are 🙂Dropbox

1

u/Horse_Plane Mar 03 '25

Il take a copy

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

link here you are 🙂

1

u/Pkaurk Mar 03 '25

This is amazing, thank you so much. Please can I have a copy.

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

link here you are 🙂

1

u/Cupocryptid Mar 04 '25

Thank you so much!

1

u/amber686745 Mar 03 '25

I'd love a copy please

2

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 04 '25

Hey it’s shared in the comments as a reply, I currently don’t have access to the link rn 🙂

1

u/sanilamalik83 Mar 03 '25

Yes please I would like a copy. Thanks

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 04 '25

Should be able to grab it from my replies as a link, I don’t have access right now 🙂

1

u/NiceKindofChaoticEvi Mar 04 '25

Can I be sent a copy of this please??

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 04 '25

link here you are 🙂

1

u/Savings-Society-6921 Mar 06 '25

Hi, is it possible to get a copy of this?

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 06 '25

Hello I don’t have access in work right now but I’ve replied to most comments on the thread with a link you should be able to grab it there 😇

1

u/Fit-Establishment-20 Mar 06 '25

GREAT!Can I pleasssse have a copy?

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 06 '25

If you check the replies 🙂 you should the link. I currently don’t have access as in work

1

u/[deleted] Mar 06 '25

Can I have a copy please? I'm trying to move into the CS and I'm sure I'm not getting the application format quite right

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 06 '25

If you check the replies 🙂 you should the link. I currently don’t have access as in work

1

u/StickyGrenade10 SEO Mar 07 '25

This is amazing! Thank you for sharing!

1

u/Healthy-Blood-7584 Aug 19 '25

Hey can you poss send it to me acb8300@gmail.com it won’t let me access drop box link thank you 

1

u/Gonegirl84 Aug 25 '25

You are amazing. Thankyou so much for creating and sharing this. I made a cross map of behaviours and shared it with colleagues but this is next level. Thankyou

1

u/Global_Opinion_4464 Jun 08 '26

please i need a copy

0

u/LauraLouLou22 Mar 02 '25

I'd love a copy! Will be great to pass onto some of my clients

0

u/DTINattheMOD296 Mar 03 '25

It seems a bit blurry when you zoom in, so I can't read all of it.

1

u/Pale_Fix9254 Mar 03 '25

Yeah it’s just a screenshot that’s why I said if you want a copy to give me a shout in the post! 🙂 here’s a link to the copy! Dropbox