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

Originally Posted by Unregistered

SB HR here. During the Dec to Feb period, things will get slower. Also, let me be blunt. If you went for a final interview, but did not receive callback for over 2 weeks, then we have a candidate more suitable who hasn't accepted our offer yet, and we will give them up to 4 weeks time. If they accept, we'll send you a rejection letter. If they do not accept, we will move on to the next most suitable candidate. The maximum we keep you waiting after your final interview is 4 weeks, at which point we will always send rejection letters.

Thank you for the information...


So candidates are given 4 weeks to accept an offer?
is that a standard practice across Mins and SBs?

Assuming 1st choice candidate rejects offer, HR will move on to 2nd choice candidate and the process of clearance, reference checks etc kicks in again for the 2nd choice candidate?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

SB HR here. During the Dec to Feb period, things will get slower. Also, let me be blunt. If you went for a final interview, but did not receive callback for over 2 weeks, then we have a candidate more suitable who hasn't accepted our offer yet, and we will give them up to 4 weeks time. If they accept, we'll send you a rejection letter. If they do not accept, we will move on to the next most suitable candidate. The maximum we keep you waiting after your final interview is 4 weeks, at which point we will always send rejection letters.

At this point, is it advisable to apply for other available positions from within the same organisation, my situation is such that the same HR person is also handling the recruitment of those available positions?

Or out of courtesy, should I inform the HR person that I am also applying for other positions that she is handling?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank you for the information...


So candidates are given 4 weeks to accept an offer?
is that a standard practice across Mins and SBs?

Assuming 1st choice candidate rejects offer, HR will move on to 2nd choice candidate and the process of clearance, reference checks etc kicks in again for the 2nd choice candidate?

SOP is different for PS, but SBs are always up to 4 weeks. Could be less in PS. Only rare cases are supposed to have more than 4 weeks, but I've never seen it.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

At this point, is it advisable to apply for other available positions from within the same organisation, my situation is such that the same HR person is also handling the recruitment of those available positions?

Or out of courtesy, should I inform the HR person that I am also applying for other positions that she is handling?

You can apply for as many positions as you want in the same SB or PS Ministry, but if someone applies for positions in IT, Business, Engineering, Public Affairs, and Marketing all at the same time, I'm going to assume you're completely unspecialised or wasting my time, especially if your experience and studies are not relevant.

Don't email us directly, it's not courtesy, it's bad form. The application system is there for a reason. Imagine if all 200 applicants for the job just emailed directly instead of letting me filter with the system I was given. If you directly refer to the HR executive in question in the cover letter it will be an added bonus though. "Attn to Whom It May Concern" gets tiring.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

SB HR here. During the Dec to Feb period, things will get slower. Also, let me be blunt. If you went for a final interview, but did not receive callback for over 2 weeks, then we have a candidate more suitable who hasn't accepted our offer yet, and we will give them up to 4 weeks time. If they accept, we'll send you a rejection letter. If they do not accept, we will move on to the next most suitable candidate. The maximum we keep you waiting after your final interview is 4 weeks, at which point we will always send rejection letters.

I was told that the bosses are on leave for 2 weeks. So, they need additional 2 to 3 weeks to process after my interview. With this piece of info, do u think i stand a gd chance?

So you are saying that there could be another candidate?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

With this piece of info, do u think i stand a gd chance?

So you are saying that there could be another candidate?

Sure, the chances of your delayed response could be because the decision maker is on break. It's not a 'good' chance, but there is a chance.

There are always other candidates. Final rounds are usually down to 2-3 other people. Sometimes up to 10 if all candidates are highly qualified.

[zero_88]

Hi, is it true usually contract position is unstable and may renew on rolling basis?

mean won't be convert to perm after all the contract term end?

[zero_88]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thanks for the response. Just having concern that they do not convert after contract ends. It is common in private sector when the company wants flexibility in managing their headcount due to cost issues. But public sector should not be cost issues right? Wonder why they always offer contract first. If it is to see whether the staff can perform, then isnt a 3 or 6 months probation period sufficient to judge work performance? Being offered contract is quite demoralizing especially when need to choose between public sector contract and pte sector perm job.

Up for this question

Originally Posted by zero_88

Hi, is it true usually contract position is unstable and may renew on rolling basis?

mean won't be convert to perm after all the contract term end?

Depends on the Ministry in question. Won't disclose mine for confidentiality's sake, but in my experience, we usually post contract over permanent offers if we're asked to bring in additional manpower for a temporary group. For example, if an AD was asked to lead an additional project, lacks team members, and other staff are already engaged.

Would like to ask how long it usually takes to get approval to offer once selected after interview stage? Was told will need someone on top to approve the package and also security checks.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by zero_88

Hi, is it true usually contract position is unstable and may renew on rolling basis?

mean won't be convert to perm after all the contract term end?

Based on experience,if given the opportunity just accept the contract position and don't worry much about the contract. Don't be late to work,perform at your best,contribute or generate ideas to yr team/boss and most importantly try to avoid taking MC or urgent leave that may jeopardise your daily ops. Moreover,at this moment now its not that easy to find a perm position.Most HR will post a contract position.