Choose your grade
Civil Service jobs are graded. Pay is set by each department, so the same grade can pay differently in HMRC, DWP or the Home Office: the advert always shows the salary. As a rough guide to responsibility:
| Grade | Typical work | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO) | Admin, customer service, casework support | No experience needed; good first job |
| Executive Officer (EO) | First line manager or experienced caseworker (for example an HMRC officer, DWP work coach or Border Force officer) | Some work experience |
| Higher and Senior Executive Officer (HEO, SEO) | Policy, project, analysis and team leadership | Relevant experience or a degree |
| Grade 7, Grade 6, Senior Civil Service | Senior policy and management | Significant experience |
Success Profiles: what you're assessed on
Success Profiles has five elements: **behaviours, strengths, ability, experience and technical**. Each advert picks the elements and the specific behaviours it will test, so read it line by line.
The nine Civil Service behaviours are Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Developing Self and Others, Managing a Quality Service, and Delivering at Pace. Each one is described at different levels for different grades, and the advert usually names three to five of them.
- **Behaviours:** you give examples of what you've done (use STAR).
- **Strengths:** what you enjoy and do well, asked in the interview without warning.
- **Ability:** online tests or exercises.
- **Experience:** your CV, personal statement or an experience-based question.
- **Technical:** qualifications or a technical test for specialist roles.
The online tests
Not every vacancy uses a test, but many do, usually straight after you apply. GOV.UK lists these Civil Service online tests: the Verbal Test, Numerical Test, Judgement Test, Management Judgement Test, Work Strengths Test, Styles Assessment for Behaviours, Customer Service Skills Test and Casework Skills Test. The Civil Service Judgement Test shows workplace scenarios and asks you to rate possible responses against the Civil Service behaviours and values, so the "best" answer is the one that fits the published framework, not the quickest fix.
GOV.UK links free practice versions of the tests. Use them to learn the format, then practise the skills underneath: reading arguments carefully, working with tables and percentages, and judging scenarios against the Civil Service Code values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free Civil Service EO / HEO practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Application, sift and interview
- **Apply on Civil Service Jobs** before the closing time: late applications are not accepted.
- **Write to the advert.** If it asks for a personal statement, show the experience it lists; if it asks for behaviour statements, write one STAR example per behaviour within the word limit.
- **Online tests** if the advert lists them. Some test scores are a pass/fail sift; others are added to your overall score.
- **Interview,** often by video. Expect behaviour questions ("Tell me about a time…"), strength questions ("What do you enjoy…?") and sometimes a short presentation or exercise.
- **Merit list and offer.** Candidates are ranked; if you pass but aren't first, you may be held on a reserve list for later vacancies.
The Fast Stream
The Civil Service Fast Stream is the graduate leadership programme: 18 specialist schemes, a starting salary of £31,554 and an earning potential of £45,000 to £55,000 after the programme. Most schemes need a 2:2 degree or above, many also take degree apprentices, and serving civil servants may apply without a degree. You can apply for up to 3 schemes.
There are four stages: online tests (untimed, about 1.5 hours), additional information for some schemes, a half-day virtual assessment centre (written advice exercise, stakeholder communication exercise and personal development conversation), and on most schemes a final selection board. Applications for 2027 entry were open from midday 8 October to midday 5 November 2026; schemes start on 6 September or 4 October 2027.
Nationality and vetting
Most Civil Service jobs are open to UK nationals, Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens, and to some other nationals with the right immigration status; some posts are reserved for UK nationals. Check the Civil Service nationality rules and the advert.
Everyone goes through the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (identity, right to work, employment history, unspent convictions). Some roles need national security vetting: a Counter Terrorist Check, Security Check or Developed Vetting. Your employer sponsors it; you can't apply yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Civil Service application take?
It varies by department and campaign. Expect several weeks from closing date to interview, then more time for pre-employment checks; roles needing security clearance take longer. The Fast Stream runs from an autumn application to a start date the following September or October.
Do I need a degree to join the Civil Service?
No, for most roles. AA, AO and EO jobs rarely require one. Most Fast Stream schemes need a 2:2 or above, but many also accept degree apprentices and serving civil servants can apply without a degree.
What is the Civil Service Judgement Test?
An online situational judgement test. You read workplace scenarios and judge how effective different responses are, scored against the Civil Service behaviours and values. It's used to sift applicants for many roles.
Is a strength question the same as a behaviour question?
No. Behaviour questions ask for a real past example (use STAR). Strength questions ask what you enjoy or how you approach things, and are answered on the spot without a prepared example.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Success Profiles
- GOV.UK: Civil Service online tests
- Civil Service Careers: Fast Stream
- Civil Service Careers: Fast Stream how to apply
- Civil Service Jobs
Practice tests for these certifications
Civil Service Executive Officer (EO) and Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Executive Officers are the first rung of Civil Service management, handling casework, delivery and project tasks, and Higher Executive Officers are middle managers who lead teams, analyse data and help develop policy.
Civil Service Administrative Officer (AO) and Administrative Assistant (AA)
Administrative Assistants and Administrative Officers are the Civil Service's entry-level grades, handling enquiries by phone, online and in person, processing cases and claims, keeping records and supporting teams in departments such as DWP, HMRC and the Home Office.
HMRC Officer (Caseworker, Compliance and Customer Service Roles)
HMRC Officers work on tax compliance, casework, customer service, debt management and investigations, collecting the money that pays for public services.
DWP Work Coach (Executive Officer, Jobcentre)
Work Coaches are Executive Officers based in Jobcentres who coach people on Universal Credit into work, manage a caseload and build links with local employers.
Civil Service Fast Stream (Graduate Leadership Programme)
The Fast Stream is the Civil Service's leadership development programme: about three to five years of postings in different departments, with training and, on many schemes, a professional qualification, starting on £31,554. Selection runs through two untimed online tests (work-based scenarios and a case study), a half-day online assessment centre (written exercise, oral briefing and a personal development conversation) and, for most schemes, a Final Selection Board.
Diplomatic and Development Fast Stream (FCDO)
The Diplomatic and Development (DD) Fast Stream is the FCDO's five-year graduate leadership route into diplomacy and international development: postings in London and East Kilbride, then overseas, with full mobility required and an optional China Pathway from 2026. You apply through the Civil Service Fast Stream: two untimed online tests, the half-day online assessment centre (FSAC) and an in-person Final Selection Board in London.
Border Force Officer (Home Office)
Border Force Officers run immigration and customs controls at UK ports and airports, interview and search passengers, goods and vehicles, protect vulnerable people and use powers of arrest and detention for border offences.
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. The recruiting organisation rules change; confirm with the recruiting organisation before you apply.
