Writing about web page http://www.faststream.gov.uk

Just got back from doing an “e-Tray exercise” for the faststream [civil service] assessment procedure. Very interesting indeed. To summarise what it was, from the faststream site itself:

The main part of the event is the e-Tray Exercise. This is based around a realistic simulation of a typical Fast Stream job. You will be given an on-screen briefing that includes familiarisation with the system and the resource materials provided before the exercise begins.
The first part of the exercise will present you with an email in-box containing various emails. You have to deal with each email by reading the message and choosing from a list of possible actions which one you will take. You can use the resource materials to inform your decisions. As the exercise progresses, more emails arrive. This first part of the e-tray lasts around 50 minutes. The second part of the exercise builds on the first. You will be asked to produce some written work that relates directly to the material in the first part of the exercise. You have access to all the material used in part one and the decisions you took. You are allowed one hour for the second part of the e-Tray.

It was interesting, and quite high pressure. I really don’t know how I did – know I got at least one thing totally wrong, but hopefully that won’t be enough to scupper my application.

I really want this job.