Welcome

Who I am
My background
What scheme Im on
My current role
Why I applied

The Civil Service Fast Stream

The Fast Stream is one of the UKs leading graduate schemes
employing a large number of graduates into different
professions.
It consists of a 6 different schemes that involve contrasting
postings in different departments and different locations.
The Fast Stream is a demanding, varied and exciting
programme that allows you to amass a wide range of
experience in a very short time.

The Civil Service Fast Stream

There are 6 Fast Stream Schemes which you can apply for:
Graduate Fast Stream central departments, diplomatic service,
Houses of Parliament, science and engineering
Analytical Fast Stream economists, statisticians, social
researchers and operational researchers
HR Fast Stream
Technology in Business Fast Stream
European Fast Stream
Northern Ireland Fast Stream

The HR Fast Stream

The HR Fast Stream is one of the Schemes in the Fast Stream
which is aimed at those with an interest in the HR Profession.
It consists of two challenging 18 month placements in different
departments and different geographic locations.
The HR Fast Stream allows you to gain a wide range of HR
experience in a very short time with the aim of equipping you to
become the future HR leaders of the Civil Service.

What is Human Resources?

Did you know?

that HR impacts upon many different areas of
society?

HR in the Civil Service

The Civil Service has the largest variety of HR roles available
within any given organisation.
Imagine any type of HR role, in any company and you can find
it within the Civil Service.
There are a huge range of broad and specialist opportunities.
Your role will have a direct impact on society.
You will have responsibility from day one.

Our Offer
Diverse, challenging and interesting opportunities available across
the country.
A strong support network.
Generous Terms and Conditions
Full support to gain associate membership of the CIPD and a
recognised qualification the Post Graduate Diploma in Human
Resource Management.
A competitive starting salary of 25,000 - 28,000.

Salary entry point & progression

SCS
Rapid
progression
to G7 in only
3 years

G6 (circa 53k)
G7 - (circa 43k)
SEO (SO) - (circa 30.5k)
HEO (HO)
(c.25k 28k for HRFS)

Bypass the
lower grades

EO (O) - (c.21.5k)
AO - (c.16k)
AA - (c.15.5k)

Progress
quicker
with the
HR Fast
Stream
compared
to other
Fast
Streams

What were looking for

Prospective candidates should:
Hold or expect to achieve at least a 2:2 degree (any discipline)
Have a genuine interest in all areas of the HR profession and in pursuing a career
with Civil Service HR
Be flexible and geographically mobile

During the assessment process well look for:

Inner confidence, strength and resilience
Motivation to learn and develop
The ability to apply analytical thinking and to bring fresh ideas
A keen focus on achieving positive outcomes for the Civil Service
The ability to communicate clearly and persuasively and to create a positive
impact

The Selection Process

Submit your application: 02 Sept - 31 Oct 2013
Online Tests: October 2013 - January 2014
Consists of verbal reasoning, numerical tests and a competency questionnaire.
Practice tests are available on the Fast Stream website.

Supervised E-Tray Exercise: October 2013 - January 2014

There is a practice exercise available on the Fast Stream website.

Assessment Centre: January 2014 - March 2014

Full day exercise at our assessment centre in London where you will be given a range of verbal and
written exercises.

How to apply

Apply online from 2nd September 2013:

http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/
The-Fast-Streams/HR-Fast-Stream/
Find us on Facebook:
Civil Service Fast Stream (UK)

And finally
There is no better place to be an HR
professional than in the Civil Service, and HR
can, and does, make a difference to the way
the Civil Service does business
Chris Last
Head of Human Resources
in the Civil Service

Thank you for listening

Any questions?

Selection Process
Workshop

Background
This workshop will give you a flavour of what to expect from
the HR Fast Stream selection process.
It will introduce you to the 3 stages of the selection process
and the types of questions that you will be asked.
It will also provide you with some hints and tips for success.

Stage 1
Self Assessment (Online)
Numerical & Verbal Reasoning
Feedback

Practice (Online)
Numerical & Verbal Reasoning (voluntary)

1st Sifting Stage (Online)

Competency Questionnaire
Numerical & Verbal Reasoning Assessment

Stage 2
2nd Sifting Stage (Test Centre)
E-tray Job Simulation
Numerical & Verbal Reasoning Retest

Stage 3
Fast Stream Assessment Centre

Online Tests

Verbal Reasoning - Example

Gender segregation is closely tied to the wide differences
between male and female earnings. Studies have shown that
only about half of the variation in pay can be attributed to lesser
skills and training of women; the remainder reflects
discriminatory practices the concentration of women in jobs
that attract poor pay because they are defined as low grade.
1. Variation in male and female salaries is not caused by discrimination.
True/False/Cant tell.
2. Around 50 per cent of all variations in pay are due to women having been given
less training and skills.
True/False/Cant tell.

Numerical Reasoning Example

Flight distances from major airports from London

COUNTRY

DISTANCE

ATHENS

2400

CHICAGO

6300

MADRID

1200

MEXICO CITY

9000

NEW YORK

5500

RIO DE JANERIO

9200

SYDNEY

17000

1. If it takes 10 hours to fly to Chicago from London, then how many hours would it take to fly
to Sydney? (assuming same average speed)
a. 25 b. 26 c. 27 d. 28 e. 29
2. Two planes leave London half an hour apart. The first plane arrives in Mexico City 15 hours
later at 04.00. If both planes fly at the same speed, when does the second plane arrive in Rio
de Janerio?
a. 04.00 b. 04.15 c. 04.20 d. 04.25 e. 04.50

Online tests: Tips for Success

Familiarise yourself with verbal and numerical reasoning;
Make sure you work through the practice assessments which are available
on the Fast Stream website;
The assessments are timed always be aware of how much time you have
left;
Consider the questions carefully to ensure you have fully understood what
it is they are asking;
Base your answer on the information provided; and
If you are stuck on a particular question it is best not to dwell on it but to
move on to the next question.

E-tray Exercise

What is an E-tray exercise?

An E-tray exercise is a type of work sample exercise.
Work sample exercises are used for assessment purposes as they:
Ask people to make judgements and decisions about practical issues
Reflect work-related situations and assess how well people would
perform in such situations.
Provide evidence about an individuals performance against a range of
work place competencies which are considered key to a role
Minimise subjectivity, bias, and irrelevance in the selection process

The Fast Stream E-tray exercise

The FS e-tray exercise is a computer-based assessment which
requires you to read and respond to a series of messages presented
in an e-mail inbox.
You will make decisions on a range of issues presented in a fictional
work-related scenario.
These decisions may require you to solve problems or respond to
enquiries and requests for information.
All of the information that you need to make these decisions will be
made available and no prior knowledge is relating to the scenario is
required.

Fast Stream E-tray portal

Fast Stream E-tray portal

E-tray Exercise: Tips for Success

Work through the practice e-tray exercise and guidance which are
available on the Fast Stream website;
Keep track of the time;
Try to work at an even, steady pace;
Read the instructions carefully to ensure that you have fully
understood what you need to do;
Base your answers on the information provided (remember to review
all background information including any e-mail attachments); and
If you are stuck on a particular question move on to the next question.

Assessment
Centre

The Assessment Centre

The Assessment Centre takes place at our testing centre in London and it
consists of the following activities:
A written exercise
This written exercise (for which you will use a customised PC) is in two parts which last 15
minutes and 90 minutes respectively. Part one is designed to test your capacity for
constructive thinking by asking you to come up with innovative ideas to address a particular
challenge or problem. Part two is designed to test your ability to make decisions and
communicate with impact.
A group exercise
This oral exercise lasts approximately 45 minutes and is designed to test your ability to build
productive relationships, to communicate with impact and your drive for results. You will be
given approximately 30 minutes to prepare for the exercise by yourself after which you will
come together as a group to discuss the scenario.

The Assessment Centre

Preparing and giving a briefing
You will be asked to present a solution to a fictitious problem and then asked
questions about your topic at the end of your presentation. It lasts up to 30 minutes
and is designed to test your ability to plan and achieve results, think constructively
and communicate with impact.

An interview
The one-to-one interview will last around 40 minutes. Your assessor will be
evaluating your ability to learn and develop and your ability to build productive
relationships.

Assessment Centre: Tips for Success

Believe in
yourself
Draw on your
past
experience

Research
online read
the guide

Be confident

Speak to
people who
work in HR
If youre
unsure ask!

Demonstrate
determination

Show drive

Be yourself

Get plenty of
rest
Practice your
presentation
skills

Show your
passion for HR

How to apply

Apply online at:

http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/
Applications open:
2 September 2013
Closing date:
31 October 2013

Additional sources of information

Fast Stream Website:
http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/
Social Media (search Fast Stream):

My e-mail:
adam.slater@dwp.gsi.gov.uk