Civil Svc/ Statboard - Typical Timeline for making a Hiring Decision

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Did anyone of you send a thank you note after interview and HR replied to your email? I was wondering what are the chances that the HR will reply... or is it normal that they will reply?

1 in 10 replies if they are very polite (their nature I mean). I know that two of my previous job I trumped the other candidate because my boss liked that I didn't blankly shake hand and just panic. I put in the effort to remember all four names. (1 was HR so left 3)

it mean nothing to the HR, but to your boss, it could be the tipping point. demonstrates the ability to handle pressure and regarding your stakeholders as a priority. could be just my boss.

keywords on capability can easily found and pasted from online to spruce up the application, but traits need to be observed.

Hi all,

I recently went for an interview with a CS. Immediately after the interview HR emailed me asking for my character reference checks email address (i only provided phone in the form). Thereafter, HR proceeded with reference checks and understand that she needs about 2 - 3 weeks before coming back to me on the status.

When i called HR previously, she informed me that I was one of the shortlisted candidates and there was a few candidates. But there's only 1 position available. So I would like to check how does it works? They will pick top 2/3 candidates and do reference checks for all and offer only to their top choice? HR didn't state why she needs 2 - 3 weeks to come back to me after the reference checks. At this point in time, i'm just wondering what are my chances for this role.

Anyone can advise?

Thank you.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Just curious, your interview at a SB lasted for 30 mins, did you get an offer or second interview? My interview with a ministry lasted slightly over 30 mins now still waiting for call.

That panel was my 2nd interview, and yes i got an offer. A friend did a 2nd interview at a stat board and his took like 15-20 mins, also got an offer. Another one did a 45min 3rd interview also got an offer from a SB.

So don’t worry! Hope for the best!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi all,

I recently went for an interview with a CS. Immediately after the interview HR emailed me asking for my character reference checks email address (i only provided phone in the form). Thereafter, HR proceeded with reference checks and understand that she needs about 2 - 3 weeks before coming back to me on the status.

When i called HR previously, she informed me that I was one of the shortlisted candidates and there was a few candidates. But there's only 1 position available. So I would like to check how does it works? They will pick top 2/3 candidates and do reference checks for all and offer only to their top choice? HR didn't state why she needs 2 - 3 weeks to come back to me after the reference checks. At this point in time, i'm just wondering what are my chances for this role.

Anyone can advise?

Thank you.

Some of them would do the reference checks before extending an offer. Once they are done, they will then extend offer by their preference.

MAYBE, inclusive of 1 week ref checks, if you get a call within 2 week means you’re their top choice 3 weeks onwards then 2nd choice.

Usually they give a few says for their top candidate to consider.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi all,

I recently went for an interview with a CS. Immediately after the interview HR emailed me asking for my character reference checks email address (i only provided phone in the form). Thereafter, HR proceeded with reference checks and understand that she needs about 2 - 3 weeks before coming back to me on the status.

When i called HR previously, she informed me that I was one of the shortlisted candidates and there was a few candidates. But there's only 1 position available. So I would like to check how does it works? They will pick top 2/3 candidates and do reference checks for all and offer only to their top choice? HR didn't state why she needs 2 - 3 weeks to come back to me after the reference checks. At this point in time, i'm just wondering what are my chances for this role.

Anyone can advise?

Thank you.

Some companies will do reference checks before they make their decision. So saying it takes 1 week to make a reference check, then if they call you within 2 weeks then mayb you're the top candidate, and 3 weeks maybe because the top rejected the position.

anyone apply for a job in NEA lately? usually how long it takes for them reply you? my status has been 'submitted' for 2 weeks already

Originally Posted by Unregistered

anyone apply for a job in NEA lately? usually how long it takes for them reply you? my status has been 'submitted' for 2 weeks already

Applied on 9th April, Current status: In Process

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Economist service anyone?

attended a career sharing before:

typically 3 stages:

i. Written exam - Macro, Micro and Econometrics + 2 essays. Total time: 2.5hrs
ii. Suitability screening/ interview by junior economist
iii. Panel interview with directors and chief economist (Hd)

All 3 stages are very technical in terms of economic modelling and economic intuition. Be prepare for an environment like thesis defence (that was what i was told).

First few years in MTI, subsequent can be posted out to do analytics or quant work. The ES is like a training programme and they second economist all around the civil service and SBs.

Salary wise is good (as compared to the rest of CS) because its a specialised scheme as they have their own scheme. It's not easy to get in though, and minimum requirement is a 2:1 Econs degree. Heard there are a lot of scholars and a lot of those are from top universities in the UK (LSE, Oxbridge, UCL etc) - so some people can be quite elitist to some extent.

Good luck if you are applying that!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Economist service anyone?

attended a career sharing before with ES:

typically 3 stages:

i. Written exam - Macro, Micro and Econometrics + 2 essays. Total time: 2.5hrs
ii. Suitability screening/ interview by junior economist
iii. Panel interview with directors and chief economist (Hd)

All 3 stages are very technical in terms of economic modelling and economic intuition. Be prepare for an environment like thesis defence (that was what i was told).

First few years in MTI, subsequent can be posted out to do analytics or quant work. The ES is like a training programme and they second economist all around the civil service and SBs.

Salary wise is good (as compared to the rest of CS) because its a specialised scheme as they have their own scheme. It's not easy to get in though, and minimum requirement is a 2:1 Econs degree. Heard there are a lot of scholars and a lot of those are from top universities in the UK (LSE, Oxbridge, UCL etc) - so some people can be quite elitist to some extent.

Good luck if you are applying that!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

they studied too much. maybe they just want to portray themselves as peaches (as oppose to lemons) so they priced themselves high because of saying 'good things don't come cheap and cheap things don't come good'.

just for laugh!

A lot of people have this mindset though it sounds like a joke. But these people have good salary n r cruising... So wait 4 5 years to get their wonderful job... No biggie.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

the top candidate told your boss no 4k, will not accept the offer?

Usually it works like this.
1. Hr verbal offer. - can nego
2. HR wants to submit for approval - can nego but risky
3. HR tells u approved designation n salary - - if you try nego.. They may go back to approval officer but very high chance send u rejection letter.

At stage 2 the fella tried to make 2 offer fight it out... To my boss, just take the second in line la.. This character also difficult to handle.