Recruitment guidance
This page contains recruitment guidance for Government Communication Service (GCS) vacancy holders and for candidates looking to join the GCS. In the GCS we are committed to welcoming talented communicators from a range of backgrounds and locations into the profession.
The guidance on this page combines good practice from the private and the public sectors to help vacancy holders carry out successful, accessible campaigns, as well as tips for candidates on how to nail your application and interview.
Vacancy holders: Good practice in recruitment
When done well, recruitment can have a significant positive impact on an organisation. With good recruitment you can identify and hire skilled candidates, build a diverse workforce which brings different perspectives and ideas into the conversation, and, ultimately, meet your business objectives.
Our guidance for vacancy holders will help you get the best outcomes from your recruitment exercise (member-only content).
Top tips for candidates
We’re so pleased that you’re considering a role in the Government Communication Service.
As a government communicator, not only are you directly delivering communications which will impact the lives of individuals throughout the UK and beyond, but you are joining a profession of over 7,000 skilled colleagues, with a tailored curriculum, networks across the UK and discipline networks to share good practice.
Use our top tips for candidates to help you with writing a successful application and preparing for your interview.
Standardised job descriptions
Speed up recruitment with our new standardised job descriptions for government communication roles. Developed in partnership with Heads of Disciplines and the Resourcing Network, these templates will help make your recruitment quicker, simpler and more inclusive.
Take a look at our standardised job descriptions and transform your recruitment process.
Guidance for SCS recruitment
Strong, experienced, strategic communications leadership is vital for the delivery of exceptional government communications. We therefore need a consistent, efficient and ultimately successful approach when recruiting (both externally and internally) to high priority senior comms roles.
Our guide on Senior Civil Service recruitment outlines the process and recruiting options available, along with examples of good practice from across the profession.