Dear Reader
It’s finally the summer holidays and parliamentary recess (not for the current Cabinet ofcourse), and boy, are we glad. After a busy start to the year, we all deserve a bit of a break.
So... how about a summer get together?
Harry and I realised it’s August, we have no events, and we should have a summer get together - just an opportunity to meet each other in an informal environment.
So we will be meeting for an after-work social at Marketplace Halls. No agenda, no speaker, just an opportunity to meet in the lovely London sun (hopefully). Nothing serious. We just need to know the numbers, so please click the link below to register, and we will know who is coming.
Date: 21st of August from 5:30 pm
Where The Marketplace Halls Victoria,191 Victoria St, SW1E 5NE
Career Conversations
We launched Career Conversations to open up honest, practical discussions with those who’ve been there. Here’s what we’ve achieved so far:
- 10 Career events hosted since launch
- 👥 400+ attendees from across the UK
- 🧑🏽💼 Speakers ranging from HEOs to Director Generals
- 🌍 Voices from across government, including ex-diplomats and senior leaders
- 🛠️ Career stories from project managers, policy professionals, and delivery experts
- 🏠 Real talk on issues like the UK housing crisis, international negotiations, and digital transformation
- 💬 Honest advice on progression, imposter syndrome, and navigating Civil Service recruitment
- 🌱 Built a space for learning, sharing, and growing—where no question is too small
But we’re not stopping there… Season 2 launches this September!
Get ready for another round of powerful, practical conversations with people shaping the UK from the inside.
👀 Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming:
- 🏛️ A former Civil Servant from Boris Johnson’s No.10 team
- ⚽ The lead official behind the new Premier League regulations
- 🔜 …and many more to be announced soon!
Do you, or someone you know, have a story we should feature?
We’re always on the lookout for brilliant voices across the Civil Service and beyond. Hit reply and send us their LinkedIn or email, we’d love to hear from you!
The Unofficial Blog: Two Powerful Career Perspectives
This week, we’re sharing two must-read pieces that cut through the complexity of Civil Service careers with lived experience and genuine insight.
In “Demystifying Civil Service Behaviours,” Scott Fielding, who featured in a career conversation, shares three practical lessons on how to master behaviours in applications and interviews. From using analogies to building a reusable story bank, his tips are gold for anyone applying to or progressing in the Civil Service.
In our latest Career Spotlight, Ruqaiya Isa reflects on her remarkable 29-year journey through the Civil Service, from Job Centre admin to Deputy Director at the DfE. Her honest and inspiring story is packed with lessons on resilience, leadership, and finding your authentic path.
As ever, thank you for being part of our community.
We’ve got a few exciting updates coming your way this August…
A new guide? A course launch?
This is what’s commonly known as a cliffhanger!
Have a lovely summer!
Nathan White
Founder - The Unofficial Civil Service Guide
PS: If this email has ended up in your spam folder, be sure to mark it as "Not Spam" and drag into your inbox, so you don’t miss any future updates, events, or resources.
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