Earlier this month, we hosted another one of our Application Workshops. This is part of our ongoing mission at Unofficial Guides to level the playing field for anyone trying to break into the Civil Service.

With a brilliant group of early and mid-career professionals, we rolled our sleeves and dove deep into the real work of writing successful applications. Not theory. Not fluff. Just real, actionable help from people who’ve been there.

Here’s what went down and what you can take away if you missed it:

Back to Basics: Nailing the Written Application

We started with a simple but often overlooked truth: your application is your first interview. And in the Civil Service, it has to hit hard, fast.

We focused on Success Profiles, especially the Behaviours element, which most people struggle with. The key challenge? Telling a clear, compelling story that answers the behaviour and showcases your experience.

Attendees learned:

• What are the different stages of applications, and what is required at each stage?
  
• Why must their examples address the essential criteria and key behaviours?
  
• To avoid vague “I supported” or “I contributed” phrases, replace them with more active words like “led” and “analysed.”
  
• They must provide evidence for everything they say, whether in the CV, personal statement, or behaviour examples

Live Example Breakdowns: What Worked & What Didn’t

One of the highlights was reviewing real draft examples from participants, courageous volunteers who let us workshop their answers live.

Together, we:

• Tightened STAR responses (Situation, Task, Action, Result), especially by ensuring the Result wasn’t an afterthought and could also include a moment of reflection.
  
• Applied the 5% Situation, 10% Task, 60% Action, and 25% Result & Reflection rule to ensure the proper emphasis in the right places.
  
• Reflected on the importance of crafting examples focused on the behaviour being tested, not general achievements. We encouraged participants to look for the buzzwords in the behaviour statements.
• We also cut filler and added details where they mattered, especially regarding decision-making and the challenges faced.

 Top 5 Takeaways

1. Clarity beats cleverness. Don’t bury your impact in long-winded intros.
   
2. Results matter. Always end your STAR with a “so what.”
   
3. Tailoring is key. Show you understand the role.
   
4. You are enough. Your experience is valuable – it just needs the right frame and drafting.
   
5. Iterate with feedback. The first draft isn’t the final draft. Ask for help, get someone to review it, and reach out to civil servants. 

Whether you’re applying for EO, HEO, SEO or beyond, keep your eyes peeled for our next workshop or career conversation. You won’t want to miss it!