Tell me about a time you led a team through change

The programme matters less than your part in it. Name your responsibility and the number at the end.

The answer most people give

The change programme at length, and your own part in it vaguely.

It is not wrong. It is simply not scoreable - and a panel can only award marks for something it can point at.

The answer that scores

Your specific responsibility, the steps in order, and the number at the end.

What they are actually scoring

Civil Service offers go in merit order of total score. You are competing on points, not clearing a bar.

The two-minute test

Say your answer out loud and time it. Under 90 seconds and there is usually too little action in it to mark. Over four minutes and a panel starts editing you down in their head. Aim for two to two and a half minutes: the situation, what you were asked to do, what you did step by step, what changed, and one line of reflection.

Practise it out loud

Reading an answer back tells you it is correct. Saying it tells you whether you can get it out of your mouth in the time you have. https://dontbombit.com asks you the question and scores what you actually said.