Message #51354

[potofgold]

Unfortunately most public sector companies, and in particular local authorities, expect candidates to undertake practical tests as part of the application process (generally including some form of typing, whether it be copy-typing or preparing a draft response to correspondence).

Last year I had 3 interviews for local authority positions (PA to Leader of the Council, PA to Director, and PA to Strategic Director) and at all 3 I was called in for approx 90 mins of testing, 2 of which included a spelling test and 1 had a 4-page copy-typing report.

It can be very difficult once you're in public sector to move to the private sector - after 6 years working for a housing association I found many private companies would not shortlist me purely as I was public sector (even ones I applied to thru agencies where I had actually temped at the organisation previously and been invited back on 2 or 3 occasions for the same job that was being recruited to).  It would therefore be foolish to refuse to undertake tests as it would effectively block my progression unless I leave the sector (which, as mentioned above, is not particularly easy - especially when the salaries/benefits of public sector are generous).

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