Help make a difference and earn overtime* supporting panel interviews in November
17 November update
Thanks to everyone who attended today’s webinar. We have a couple of recordings now which may be useful should you wish to refresh or for anyone who wasn’t able to make these sessions:
- Guidance on how to use the scoring form
- Explanatory video talking you through the interview process.
You can also access frequently asked questions further down this page.
11 November update
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to support these panel interviews for CA & PSO recruitment. Interview invites have now been sent out to successful volunteers. Access an explanatory video talking you through the interview process.
Next up
- All volunteers allocated interview slots have been sent an email covering the following information:
- colleague who will be interviewing with you (you’re encouraged to catch-up beforehand to decide which one of you will lead the interview)
- Interview questions for each role
- Form for capturing responses
- Where to send the interview results when completed
- Success profiles and remote interviewing guidance
- Volunteers who have not been allocated an interview slot will also be contacted and if appropriate you are willing be added to a new list of volunteers to support future interview panels
Volunteer now
Questions & answers
Will panel members be provided with a pre-populated score sheet with candidate details?
Yes, you will be provided with the Interviewer Training package, the Interview Scoring Guide and the online Interview Feedback Form two days before hand together with candidate details (including ID to verify) and meeting links.
What overtime can be claimed & how do I claim?
Will I be paid overtime for any learning/training undertaken
Overview or time in lieu only applies for interview slots completed, not the training required to be eligible to take part in panel interviews.
What grade do I need to be in order to volunteer?
Minimum Band 3 for Case Administrator panel interviews, or minimum Band 4 for PSO interviews.
Candidate ID
Candidates will be asked to have their ID ready to show to you via the screen at the beginning of their interview.
If they have photo ID but not the other documents submitted then you can continue the interview but flag in the interview scoring form that they will need to have this verified at a later date.
If the candidate is unable to prove their identity, then you will need to inform them to contact the resourcing team to reschedule their interview for another day.
Do I need authorisation to volunteer?
Your line manager must agree if you volunteer for times during your normal working hours.
How will I know if a candidate requires reasonable adjustments?
Two days prior to the interview we will confirm the candidate details including any additional needs and how to manage requests for reasonable adjustments.
What do I do on the day if I can’t make it or am having tech issues?
Cancellation should only happen under exceptional circumstances. When we provide you with your candidate information, we will inform you who you can contact on the day by email and telephone if you are unable to interview. If one of the panel is unavailable, then where possible we have people on standby to assist to enable the interview to proceed.
3 November
We are looking for panel volunteers to support a second round of interviews in six priority regions** for the recruitment of Case Administrators and Probation Services Officers. This support will help us substantially increase our speed to hire for these frontline roles. Video-based interviews will take place on Thursday 24 to Wednesday 30 November + two standby days on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 December (should interviews need to be rescheduled).
Overtime and dates
This is a great opportunity open to all permanently employed Probation staff at Band 3 or above and offers paid overtime* or time in lieu for evening and weekend interviews.
Weekdays (24, 25, 28, 29 & 30 November)
(Daytime sessions will include four interviews with the final interview ending by 1pm or 5pm. Evening sessions will include three interviews with the final interview ending at 8pm.)
- 9:00am-1pm
- 1:00pm-5:00pm
- 5:00pm-8:00pm
Weekend (26 & 27 November)
- 9:00am-1:00pm
- 1:00pm-5:00pm
Thursday 1 & Friday 2 December – standby days to cover interviews that may need to be rescheduled
- 9:00am-1pm
- 1:00pm-5:00pm
Key requirements
- Minimum Band 3 permanently employed Civil Servant (min Band 4 for PSO interviews)
- Webcam enabled laptop as interviews are solely online
- Online and self-directed learning is mandatory (4 hrs 13 mins) for all volunteers so you can develop your interview skills and feel confident through the process. Please allow yourself enough time to complete this learning prior to the panels
- You can volunteer for as many panels as you choose
- Your line manager must approve if you volunteer for times during your normal working hours
- Pencil out the time in your diaries to avoid the risk of additional work to re-schedule.
How to volunteer
To volunteer simply complete the Interview panel form stating which interview panels you can support. The Probation Resourcing team will be in touch to confirm interview slots, book you into the required training and answer any other questions.
*Any additional hours worked above your normal contractual hours will be paid at your relevant overtime rate.
**Interviews are required in six priority regions: London, Kent, Surrey & Sussex, East of England, Greater Manchester, North West and South Central. You can be based in any region to support these interviews.
