Careers At Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the central government department for the armed forces and civil service. It works to develop and maintain domestic and international safety through the armed forces and policy-making across 650 global sites.
Types Of Jobs at MOD
There are many branches of the MOD:
- British Army
- Royal Navy
- Royal Air Force
- MOD Police Force
- Civil Service
With over 2,000 different roles there is never a shortage of talent in every area. Whether you are looking to join the armed forces or reserves, work in a technical capacity as an engineer, mechanic, or software developer, or part of civilian humanitarian forces, there is something for you.
How To Get A Job At Ministry of Defence
For those looking to join the MOD, there are a number of pathways into working for the military. This guide can tell you what to expect once you've found the right job for you, and how to improve your chances of being hired.
Ministry of Defence Application Process
MOD Application
Firstly, you need to decide what kind of career you want to have with the MOD. The MOD website gives you lots of information on the different kinds of roles available and what they entail. The initial application will ask you for basic information and if you meet minimum requirements for the role you have applied for. These are extremely important, so consider them thoroughly before applying.
MOD Shortlisting
If your application is approved, then you will be shortlisted for the role. Many soldiers and officer roles require you to attend an army career centre, where you will meet with a recruiter and discuss your options.
DE&S Behaviours
The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is a specialised branch of the military that ensures procurement of equipment and other necessities to all parts of the MOD. According to the DE&S, there are five core function skills needed:
- DE&S Citizenship
- Business acumen
- Leadership
- Delivery focus
- Working with others
Take a look at the DE&S professional guide, for more detail on each competency and the expectations placed upon those working for the DE&S.
MOD Interview
The MOD interviews typically involve multiple recruitment officers, who will ask competency-based questions. This means that you should formulate your answers around the STAR method:
Situation: Describe the specific event or situation you were in.
Task: What goal were you working towards?
Action: Explain how you contributed and what steps you took.
Result: How did it turn out?
Using this method can help you keep focused on answering the question fully and showing off your abilities and previous experience. It is especially helpful if you have limited work experience by applying achievements from other parts of your life to the desired skills of this role.
MOD Core Civil Service Behaviours
To work for the civil service, there are core values and behaviours that must be demonstrated to prove the type of person you are. The civil service now uses Success Profiles to assess candidates across a range of behaviours, strengths, technical skills, abilities, and experience. Those who match closely to these values and behaviours are shown to be more successful on the job and have a better retention rate.
MOD Technical Competences
There are a large number of technical jobs in the military, which require a high level of skill in specialised areas. If you are applying for one of these roles then you will likely be asked to take a technical skill test, like a mechanical skill test, that will assess your level of competency.
MOD Aptitude Tests
Aptitude tests are commonly used by the armed forces and civil service to screen candidates and determine soft skills like communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and working under pressure. Here are some of the ones used:
MOD Verbal Reasoning Test
Verbal reasoning tests assess your language skills and how well you process verbal information. You will be examined on competencies like comprehension, identifying key information, determining truths from falsehoods, and grammar and spelling.
MOD Numerical Reasoning Test
Numerical reasoning tests your ability to work with numbers. You are given mathematical-based problems to solve, usually based on concepts such as reading graphs and charts, and processing the information presented. You may also be asked to do basic algebra, multiplication and division, and calculate ratios and percentages.
MOD Abstract Reasoning Test
Abstract reasoning tests are used by employers because they assess more difficult to test skills like fluid intelligence, logical thinking, and creativity. You will be presented with sequences of images and shapes, and asked to identify the pattern to choose the correct answer. These can be tricky, but lots of practice should improve performance and scores.
MOD Situational Judgement Test
Situational judgement tests provide you with scenarios that are likely to come up on the job and ask you to rank responses according to how you would react. This kind of assessment shows your working style, professional experience, and what kind of temperament you have.
Tips To Get Hired at MOD
Practice Tests
Make sure that you know which aptitude tests you are going to be given through the process and practice them. Aptitude tests can be the deciding factor in your application, so it is important to take them seriously and perform your best.
Meet The Requirements
The minimum requirements are non-negotiable. Before you apply, go through the specification for the role and ensure that you meet all of them, or your application will not be approved.
Be Adaptable
If for whatever reason, you do not perform well enough for the role you applied for, you may be offered an alternative position. Be open to new opportunities and take the chance to grow and develop.
Do Your Research
There are over 2000 job titles in the military, which means that you need to understand what you're applying for and where you hope to progress to. Research the role and the MOD branch thoroughly, so you can show recruiters that you are passionate about the work and are the right person for the job.
