SEO — Senior Executive Officer
Everything you need to know about applying for SEO roles in the Civil Service: what assessors expect, how behaviours are tested, and grade-specific examples.
What SEO level involves
At SEO level, you are expected to lead projects or teams, manage complex workloads, and influence decisions beyond your immediate team. You should show strategic awareness and the ability to balance competing priorities.
The 9 behaviours at SEO level
Below are all nine Civil Service behaviours with typical word counts and links to grade-specific examples. Most departments ask for 250–500 words per behaviour at this level.
| Behaviour | Typical word count | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Seeing the Big Picture | 250–500 | Example |
| Changing and Improving | 250–500 | Example |
| Making Effective Decisions | 250–500 | Example |
| Leadership | 250–500 | Example |
| Communicating and Influencing | 250–500 | Example |
| Working Together | 250–500 | Example |
| Developing Self and Others | 250–500 | Example |
| Managing a Quality Service | 250–500 | Example |
| Delivering at Pace | 250–500 | Example |
Scoring expectations at SEO
At sift, your behaviour statements are scored on a scale of 1–7 against the Success Profiles framework. To pass, you typically need to score at least 4 ("Achieved") on each behaviour required for the role.
The difference between a score of 4 and a score of 5 is often specificity. A statement that says "I improved the process" scores lower than one that says "I redesigned the filing system, reducing retrieval time by 75%." Use numbers wherever you can.
How to progress from SEO
To reach Grade 7, you need to demonstrate programme leadership, policy or operational expertise, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. Seek out high-visibility projects and build a track record of delivering complex outcomes.