Your application

In most cases, we only accept applications through the Civil Service Jobs website. You should apply online unless a disability prevents you from doing so (see Reasonable Adjustments).

Once you’ve submitted your application, you won’t be able to change it, so please check all details carefully before submitting.

As part of your application, you’ll be asked to provide your most current employment details for at least the past three years. Include any gaps in your work history, so we have a complete picture of your experience.

For some roles, we may ask you to complete one or more Civil Service Online Tests. These help us assess your ability to meet the requirements of the role fairly, without looking at your education, qualifications, or work history.

Standard tests include:

• The Civil Service Verbal Test
• The Civil Service Numerical Test
• The Civil Service Work Strengths Test
• The Customer Service Skills Test
• The Civil Service Management Judgement Test
• The Casework Skills Test

Other tests may be used depending on the role. You must pass the assigned tests to move to the next stage.

After completing a test, you’ll receive an automated feedback report explaining how you did and where you might have scored higher. Your result is calculated by comparing responses with those of a peer group who took the same test.

What you need to submit depends on the role you’re applying for. The job advert and application form will explain exactly what’s required.

You may be asked to:

• Submit a CV outlining your experience and employment history
• Write a personal statement
• Provide specific examples of your work or achievements

These are used to assess different elements of the Success Profiles framework, such as your experience, technical skills, knowledge, qualifications, and behaviours (the actions and impact you’ve shown in your work).

Guidance is available to help you write your CV and personal statement.

For your personal statement, we recommend structuring your examples using the STAR method to show how your experience matches the role requirements.

• Situation – set the context
• Task – explain your responsibilities
• Action – describe what you did
• Result – outline the outcome and impact

Keep your responses concise, use plain English, and only use acronyms when you can explain what they stand .

To make the process fair, please don’t include any information that could identify you. This includes:

• Your name
• Your age
• Links to any online profiles or websites

Once you’ve submitted your application, you can track your progress through the Civil Service Jobs website.

If you have trouble accessing attachments in a job advert or think you’ve made a mistake in your initial application, contact the Government Recruitment Service at least two working days before the vacancy closes. After this point, we may not be able to reopen your application.

Please be aware that we can’t amend any part of a submitted application directly. If you need it to be reopened, email us with the following subject line:

“Please re-open my application – Vacancy Ref XXX CLOSING DATE XXXX.”