Frequently Asked Questions

Is this cheating?

No, using SiftReady is not cheating. Think of it like using spell-check, Grammarly, or asking a friend to review your application — you're still providing your own experiences and achievements.

SiftReady helps you structure and communicate your existing experiences more effectively. It doesn't fabricate examples or write fiction — it takes what you've actually done and helps you present it in the STAR format that Civil Service assessors expect to see.

The Civil Service explicitly encourages candidates to prepare thoroughly and practice their examples. Using AI to help organize your thoughts is simply a modern approach to application preparation.

Will assessors notice it's AI-generated?

Not when you use it correctly. SiftReady is designed to enhance your voice, not replace it. The tool helps structure your genuine experiences — the specific details, outcomes, and context come from you.

We recommend always reviewing and personalizing the output. Add your own turns of phrase, adjust the tone to match how you naturally write, and ensure every detail is accurate to your experience. The best applications blend good structure with authentic voice.

Remember: assessors are looking for evidence of your competencies, not testing your creative writing skills. A well-structured, evidence-based response that clearly demonstrates your abilities is exactly what they want to see.

How is my data used?

Your privacy is our priority. Here's exactly what happens with your data:

• Your examples and responses are processed to generate suggestions but are never stored permanently or used to train AI models
• No human reviews your application content — processing is fully automated
• We don't sell or share your personal data with third parties
• You can delete your data at any time through your account settings

For full details, please read our Privacy Policy.

What are Success Profiles?

Success Profiles is the recruitment framework used by the UK Civil Service. It assesses candidates across multiple elements including:

• Behaviours — How you've demonstrated key competencies
• Strengths — What you naturally do well and enjoy
• Experience — Your relevant skills and background
• Technical — Job-specific skills and knowledge
• Ability — Aptitude tests and assessments

SiftReady focuses primarily on helping you craft compelling Behaviour statements using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

What is the STAR method?

STAR is the recommended structure for answering behaviour-based questions:

• Situation — Set the context. Where were you? What was happening?
• Task — What was your specific responsibility or challenge?
• Action — What did YOU do? (This should be the longest section)
• Result — What was the outcome? Quantify if possible.

SiftReady helps ensure your examples follow this structure properly, with the right emphasis on each section and appropriate use of first-person language.

Which grades does SiftReady support?

SiftReady is designed to help candidates applying for roles from Administrative Officer (AO) through to Grade 6 (G6). The tool adjusts its suggestions based on the grade level you're targeting, as expectations differ significantly across grades.

For example, an EO role might expect you to demonstrate working within established processes, while a G7 role expects evidence of strategic thinking and influencing senior stakeholders.

How much does SiftReady cost?

We're still finalizing our pricing, but we're committed to keeping SiftReady accessible. We believe everyone deserves a fair chance at Civil Service roles, regardless of whether they can afford expensive career coaches.

Join our waitlist to be notified when we launch and receive exclusive early-bird pricing — typically 30-50% off the regular price.

Can I use SiftReady for non-Civil Service applications?

While SiftReady is optimized for UK Civil Service Success Profiles, the STAR method is widely used across many industries and organizations. The skills you develop in structuring competency-based examples will serve you well in:

• NHS and public sector applications
• Graduate scheme applications
• Corporate competency-based interviews
• Any role requiring behavioural evidence