Insider advice: my tips for a successful Civil Service Fast Stream application

Registering

Think carefully about the scheme you are applying for, and choose a password you will remember! If you have a learning difficulty it is important to disclose it at this stage. I am dyslexic and the Fast Stream was brilliant at accommodating my extra needs.

Online tests

The online tests consist of verbal and numerical reasoning and aptitude tests. Take advantage of the practice examples you are given, and speak to your careers service as they may have more examples. Give yourself enough time to do the tests.

Local assessment centre

After passing the test you are invited to an assessment centre for an e-tray exercise. It’s an e-mail response exercise and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your decision-making skills, as well as giving you a flavour of the challenges you might face in the job. After reading the background information, you have to answer the e-mails that continuously appear in your inbox. Think carefully about what you would do in that situation, and remember there is no wrong answer. Following this, you need to answer two related questions – take time to plan your answers but be imaginative and show that you can communicate your ideas.

Assessment day

Here, you can demonstrate that you have the required competences. The group exercise is a good chance to show how you can work well in a team to come to a consensus about a fictional policy issue. In the written exercise, you’ll need to provide a logical and well-communicated answer about another fictional issue. The briefing exercise enables you to show your creativity when generating solutions. In the interview, you’ll be asked for honest examples of how you have worked with others. Remember to smile and keep things in perspective; the assessors are only looking to get to know you better.

Holly Adams is a Fast Streamer at HM Revenue and Customs. She has a BSc in economics from the University of Sheffield (2008).