Why I quit the Civil Service Fast Stream...

[@TigerPrawn_]

Skip to 2:30 for when the discussion about the fast stream begins

[@komzxoxo1738]

So happy i came and watched this ❤

[@mikeymuscles7726]

Your experience is a very A Typical perspective of a younger generation, expecting a lot and it really isn’t Exciting. The fast stream really shouldn’t exist. The civil service is a slow moving beast I fell into it in 1997 as admin … I’ve done my on the job learning after 25 years I’ve finally moved up the ladder. It is just my view but all new entrants should come in at ground level and work up as those of us without degrees have done. I don’t believe the civil service leadership should be in the hands of uni leavers. It should really be an apprenticeship and minimum time served to understand the business. I’ve met meany young people who are disillusioned by the civil service. I’d recommended you go another route possibly political. Or try other civil service departments like NCA or MOD or GCHQ. HMRC is not the most rewarding department to work in. But don’t be put off a career in service just don’t think the Fast Stream is your golden ticket to affect change.

[@julimoussarie]

Agreed! It's funny you recommend the departments that sound exciting! Security clearance is a barrier to entry however, not sure if I will get it. We will see ! Thanks for your insight!

[@RJS4287]

Interesting - stumbled across this. My reaction. Though I went to Uni in UK, now an ex pat so it might be very different. I think the structure and nature of work and the workforce has altered radically. Fast stream scheme as you describe it seems very last century and typical of old fashioned big bureaucracies. Workforce has changed too - where I live over 50% of people under 40 now have at least one degree, especially women. Though in UK I was asked which uni I went to and was told I only got a job interview because I had degrees from two Russell Group unis I have never been asked which uni I attended where I now live. Been on lots of selections, we expect a degree but the particular uni is not that important - in fact technical proficiency, knowledge of range of software products, soft skills like communication and the ability to relate to a wide range of people as well as some sort of track record of achieving in paid or unpaid employment more important. Traditionalists might be horrified that we recently gave a job to a lady with exceptional excel spreadsheet skills rather than the PhD who came second. She has some vey rare skills and would be very useful modeler for our policy teams immediately. So I hope you can use your life experience to complement your formal education and find a satisfying career.

[@julimoussarie]

Really interesting to hear your thoughts from a more experienced and international perspective! Those words are encouraging thank you! I agree - it feels like the current Civil Service has very poor resource allocation and will need to modernise a lot more if it wants to stay attractive for new recruits in the future!

[@TigerPrawn_]

Which country did you move to out of interest?

[@julimoussarie]

@@TigerPrawn_ Colombia!

[@RJS4287]

@@TigerPrawn_ Australia - which though has a UK heritage, the largest number of migrants, tourists and international students now come from Asia - both East and South. Very relaxed - best country I have experienced. On degrees it is not the institution but the subject - with medicine top.

[@BhaaratKiAawaz]

I'm not here to apply for the British Civil Service, but to understand the differences between the exam processes of the British and Indian civil services. I want to explore what changes could be made to the Indian civil service exam to make it more effective in addressing critical challenges in our uncertain world. The process in India is quite prolonged, often taking more than a year to complete. I've also compared it with the U.S. civil service exam. I would love to hear your thoughts and advice, as I plan to include them in my college debate to make necessary changes in Indian Civil service exam. Again thanks for your attention.

[@julimoussarie]

Hi there! Interesting to hear about your debate topic. I think the Civil Service exam in the UK needs some serious changes. Firstly, it is largely based on competency-questions and behavioural questions. Many of the interview questions are based on either "working together" or "showing leadership qualities". They ask for examples of these. However, it would be very easy for someone to cheat and to make these examples up. Moreover, the whole process takes about one year which is too long for many people - it is very time-consuming and if you don't get the job in the end, it makes it seem like a waste of time. So it definitely needs to be improved time-wise. Also, they do the security checks after you have the job which can take a further 6 months and if you don't get the security level, you are likely to lose the job so it seems strange to do the security check afterwards and not at the same time as the application process. Hope that helps!:)

[@BhaaratKiAawaz]

​@@julimoussarie Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed response! I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your insights. If it's not too much to ask, would you be kind enough to share your Instagram ID? I’d love to stay connected and learn more from you. 😊 I warmly invite you to visit India! It would be such an honor to meet you in person and show you the beauty of this incredible country. I hope you’ll consider coming! 😊

[@ahmetsaid308]

it looks like right decision

[@julimoussarie]

I think so too :)

[@jareno5496]

Im also an mml grad considering the fast stream. The job market is so poor these days :(

[@julimoussarie]

@@jareno5496 I would recommend reaching out to Civil Servants on Linkedin and ask them about their experiences… ! No harm in applying but lower your expectations is what I would say:)

[@TigerPrawn_]

With you there :((

[@Kai-uj8tg]

Hi! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Fast Stream - I have relatives who also went through the process and reported the same thing about just applying regularly and then being able to manoeuvre oneself internally to where they'd like to be. I'm interested in the Diplomacy and Development Scheme, though I know that's the most competitive one, so I'm considering Plan Bs, Cs, or even alternative careers entirely. Do you know if it's possible to apply regularly to a role, and then move into a diplomacy-adjacent/ direct role? Have you heard of anyone who's done such a thing?

[@julimoussarie]

Hey! Yes this is completely possible. First get into the Civil Service and next apply internally to the FCDO. You don't need to get into the CS through the FastStream, you could just apply for a regular job in the CS. But be warned - you need the highest level of security clearance for the FCDO so you need to ensure you obtain that level! I might make a video on the diplomacy stream soon so look out for it:)

[@Hinchanomada]

Genial 🎉

[@julimoussarie]

gracias!

[@academicspamaccount9532]

I'm really interested in international development (humanitarianism and aid). How can one prepare for this?

[@julimoussarie]

Do you want to work for the British government in this sector or outside of the British government? In any case, it would probably be very useful for you to either get a masters in international development or start volunteering for an NGO focussed on international development so that you can start building experience for your CV!

[@ryderlock2700]

Getting paid to do little work... That's the dream

[@julimoussarie]

I used to think the same...

[@moscowdaily007]

U are lucky born in uk not india if u want to become diplomat or something their is huge huge competition in our civil services exam we spend 6 to 7 Years to crack exam complete isolation disconnection from outside world in 4 walls of room😢 u should admire what ur government is giving u and these jobs are not like normal job these are responsibility you are r representing ur country maintaining government policies

[@Mfdwoi]

skill issue

[@YuliyaKulynych-k4z]

where do you work now

[@julimoussarie]

I am doing several jobs at the moment but my general direction is towards qualifying as a lawyer.

[@Noob00478]

I though fast streamers start as SEO and end as G7

[@julimoussarie]

You start as HEO and after 3 or 4 years, you are likely to end as a G7 yes! Some fast streamers leave in their second year or mid-way through the third before completion to secure a G7 role faster...

[@majidvaziri2836]

how was the pay?

[@julimoussarie]

You can find the pay online very easily!

[@jemma_palma]

Thank you for this! Im going to apply this coming year, am also interested in the diplomacy scheme as you were, or, just the gov policy one but wasnt sure about the project development one. Hoping there's more of a sense of team 🥲

[@julimoussarie]

Very best of luck

[@ladanmohammed34]

hey:) I'm also most interested in the diplomacy scheme and very excited/nervous for the upcoming application process lol If you'd like we can connect and guide one another through the practice

[@jemma_palma]

@@julimoussarie thank you so much! ah didn't realise you could get into policy via project delivery, but good to know. also saw that you've got vlogs in travelling colombia- hope you're having the best time!

[@julimoussarie]

@@jemma_palma yeh at least for my year you could dip into policy in second year! it might be changing though - double check please! and thank you so much - I'm enjoying life here !