Preparing your application

Candidates must submit:

  • a current and relevant CV
  • a personal statement

At sift stage, your personal statement and CV will be marked against each essential criteria listed in the advert. Sometimes the advert will specify a word count, but we recommend writing at least 300 words. You can use subheadings and bullet points to make it easier for the reader. If we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct a short sift and read one element of your application e.g. CV only, so ensure that you have demonstrated evidence in both.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback after sift stage. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

DDaT colleagues at Silicon Milk Roundabout in London

The interview

If selected at sift stage, you'll be invited to an interview where you’ll be asked to demonstrate relevant Strengths/Technical Skills/Behaviours from the Success Profiles framework. A role-specific list of these will always be included in the job advert.

Most roles on the DDaT framework are assessed using Technical Skills, a technical element where you will be asked a series of questions to demonstrate your specific professional skills and knowledge related directly to the job role.

If your role is on the DDaT framework then initial salary is determined by performance at interview, within the range advertised. Each technical skill is scored between 0-3, representing working towards, at or above the job level requirements. You are awarded a proficiency level accordingly.

We appoint on merit order. If you meet the minimum criteria at interview but are lower down the merit order than the successful candidate/s, you will be added to a reserve list and may be appointed at a later date. A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months.

Pre-employment, Security and Immigration Checks

All civil servants require BPSS, which takes around two weeks and consists of standard pre-employment checks such as right to work, DBS, employment history etc.

Many DDaT roles also require Security Clearance. Please check the specific requirements of the role you’re applying for.

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service Nationality rules, which mean that nationals from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA), and certain non-EEA nationals, are eligible. If the role you are applying for requires SC, you will need to meet those requirements as well.

If successful and transferring from another Government department a criminal record check may be carried out. Successful candidates not from another government department must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

Tips from our Team

  • Make sure that your CV is the most recent, up to date version and that it is tailored to the job advert.
  • Mention the essential skills and experience listed in the job advert and provide short examples in your CV and supporting statement.
  • Tell us why you are interested in the role and DBT; do your research into DDaT and the profession you’re applying to enter. Reach out to the Recruitment team for a chat about the role and what might make your application stand out.
  • If you have most but not all the skills required, apply anyway. We are happy to be approached at all levels and refer you to colleagues in other professions. Acknowledge this in your application as a learning point.
  • Make sure that you read the questions about nationality and SC eligibility carefully. Answering incorrectly or falsely can result in your application being automatically rejected.

Further Information

The Department for Business and Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Recording of interviews is not permitted except by prior agreement and where it is necessary as an evidenced reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010. If you make a recording of our employees without agreement, you should be aware that in collecting such personal data you would be deemed a 'data controller' under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and are therefore required to comply with all relevant data protection requirements. You would also be susceptible to enforcement action by the regulator and potential legal action.

Contact us

If you need more information please contact [email protected]