I’m now in full swing of the Faststream application. I’ve spent the last few weeks refreshing my memory on how to do basic maths – percentages, fractions and graphs have haunted my dreams! The biggest problem I had was trying to find a ‘quiet and relaxing’ place to complete the tests. My laptop wasn’t ‘compatible’ and the uni library was never quiet no matter what time of day or late night I went. But I managed to find a time and a place, and completed them, now I’m just waiting for the results.
I thought I would count my chickens and think positively that I would get through far enough to the assessment centre. So, I took the careers service up on their offer, and ‘had a go at an assessment centre’. It was really good, an intensive day – I needed a nice cold Diesel afterwards to make my head better! 😉 It gave me a good insight into what to expect, which I think for most of these things is the most difficult part. You fear the unknown. Although, I would still pee my pants when I eventually do get to an assessment centre, but in the words of Gary Barlow on X Factor, ‘if you weren’t nervous, there,d be something wrong; … inspirational!
The hardest part about pursuing a career in the public sector, is work experience… so I’m looking for experience around my area of interest; international relations; so I’ve taken up a volunteering project with the refugee service. It’s really interesting; lots of knowledgeable people and a great way to learn about new cultures and issues facing asylum seekers and refugees both in our country and their home country. Not only is it adding weight to my CV, but its also a chance for me to figure out if this is something I’m interested in and want to have a career in for the next 40 or so years! Always good to check beforehand!

I’ve just started the first year of a part time MA which is part of my ‘plan’ to get the career of my dreams. Or a way to ‘pass the time’ amongst the application process.
I graduated 1 year ago from my undergraduate and decided to take a year out and get into the work place full time (I’d worked part time throughout my uni course) and get some experience in management along with paying off all the debt I’d racked up in my undergraduate!
I am pursuing a career with the government, and started the application process for the faststream. It’s long, painful, in depth and competitive. They want the best – there are a lot of talented people out there – so what makes my application different?
This is where I started from. They want people who can move up the ranks quickly and do well in management, how can I know I have that ability if I don’t even try? Whilst applying through the faststream (it starts in November, and finishes in April) I decided to work up the ranks in the financial service company I was working in.
I was out the race for the faststream by February -many quotes state its unlikely to get in the first time around, and feedback told me I was in the top 35% of candidates…
So here I am, still working my way up the ranks to prove my management capability, learning invaluable skills within the work place, and studying a masters in IPE, making contacts and working out what else I can do to make sure I’m in the top 25% of candidates the next time…