Garda Reserve - Interview/Report-Writing (see Moderator note: POST#1)

CO19 wrote: »

Sorry to hear that Karl you probably got two gits for interviewers,mine just stuck to the 3 things that the notes for candidates says i.e community involvement-team work and differences you've made in your community that's it, so I wouldn't be really blamin yourself for not gettin through as I said you may have just been unfortunate with the two you got for the interview.

Yeah I had prepared a good bit of stuff on the three main points and it was all legitimate stuff i.e. playing music for fundraising events...but they spent a good part of the interview on conflict/resolve in the part time bar job I have. The super asked me a good deal on this and just when I thought it was over the PAS lady started going on bout it! Wasn't really prepared for that plus I don't really have any probems at work so I didn't have any good examples.
So for anyone going for it I'd say look at conflict/resolve and have a few answers ready even though this isn't one of the three points mentioned in the interview material. I have a good feeling that's what failed me!

Hey kerry4sam, yep you can apply for feedback. All you have to do is ring up the Garda Reaerve Unit in the PAS.

kerry4sam wrote: »

I received a letter in the post to fill out the Interview Application Form ... yey! at last like .

They are holding interviews in Cork during August and also in Killarney in early October.

I was beginning to wonder about the process but i will go for it anyways considering i will be re-applying for An Garda Siochana at the next recruitment drive (probably in October). Hopefully my interview for An G.S. will stand to me

hi kerry 4 sam,read these boards all the time,but i dont reply much.def keep goin.my son in phase 2 very informative,like learning the real thing.i't'l stand to you,give you an idea if you'll like it or not.intense but good.

when did you apply?

padlad88 wrote: »

Hi all I applied to the reserves and have mi interview next week...its all happinging really quick...is there a shortage for reserves?i hope to become a full time member some day does anyone have any advice as to whether I should join reserves and if you become a reserve is it easier to get in to full time or is it harder?

padlad88 wrote: »

I applied for the reserves mid august and got my letter last friday to ask If i still wanted to go ahead so i sent off my interview application form and was called back yday to say i have interview next week!

best of luck with your interview, how it goes well x

For the report writing exercise you are given a handbook with a scenario...its in picture format and its in order..in the pics there could be someone saying something about the incident or for a car crash could be a pic of the car and its reg,colour,etc...you have to write a report on what you see on what you believe to be relevant and anything that is irrelevant you dont put it in because you will lose points...think its 40min long but when i done it i was non stop writing!interview is pretty much what your gona expect...dont think i was asked anything out of the ordinary! best of luck with it

lanno25 wrote: »

sorry for the stupid qustion but i have my interview on wednesday and am wondering do i wear shirt and tie or something more casual?

Definitely wear a suit. Dress like you are interviewing for the last job you will ever have.I use this approach for any interview/meeting in my present job and also when I was interviewing for AGS. Always does the trick

on standby wrote: »

WELL THATS THAT...IM OUT.
Two and a half years of waiting for nothing, but a Dear John..
Yes, I am really disapointed but I knew it was always a possibility in the back of my mind due to a family member i suspect but will never know for sure.
I fully respect the decision from the top as it is in everybodys interests I guess. But a big blow to me as an individual especially the idea of not being able to work for free.! will bounce around in my head for a while but i will get over it. To all those who made it and all those applying i wish you the best of luck for the future.
A SLIP OF THE PEN IS NO FAULT OF THE MIND
Signing off On Standby..............

Sorry to hear that mate im sure you are not the only 1 just others have not come on and told people but i myself and others could be in the same boat and until we are called we have to presume we are in with a chance

Best of luck with what ever you decide to do now

on standby wrote: »

WELL THATS THAT...IM OUT.
Two and a half years of waiting for nothing, but a Dear John..
Yes, I am really disapointed but I knew it was always a possibility in the back of my mind due to a family member i suspect but will never know for sure.
I fully respect the decision from the top as it is in everybodys interests I guess. But a big blow to me as an individual especially the idea of not being able to work for free.! will bounce around in my head for a while but i will get over it. To all those who made it and all those applying i wish you the best of luck for the future.
A SLIP OF THE PEN IS NO FAULT OF THE MIND
Signing off On Standby..............

Hi, sorry to hear that you were not accepted, although I would push for an answer, seen your posts and you have been patient, hope you find something suitable for you to do, best of luck.

Scouser wrote: »

I have applied for the garda reserve but have yet to choose my interview date.

is there any current members on here who could provide me with some advice as im rather anxious to be as prepared as possible for the interview, report writing assessment and medical etc

Im currently a volunteer with the RDF but I do not find this as fulfilling as a Garda would. Being a Garda has been my dream!(soppy? oh well!)

perhaps PM those who wish to help me out as I dnt want to harass the disinterested! and i can provide you with my info bout myself and ask more questions bout the job

Cheers all!

I would advise reading back over this thread everything has nearly been covered and you will prob get a better incite into the mechanics of it

Mun23 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Have my interview in 2 weeks time for the reserves! Would appreciate any info that would help me or any questions that may have threw people off in the past? Have went over all the "common" questions but just wondering if anyone got asked anything out of the ordinary...
All help appreciated,

Thanks...:)

From memory questions will centre around your involvment in the community and conflict resolution type questions

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Hey all.

Have my first interview in about two weeks. I've read over this entire thread (took a while! :P) and it has helped a lot. Just want to make sure I'm totally clear on a few things though!

1) The area of question will be community involvement and conflict resolution. I've done a martial art and drama for about four years, as well as being in the RDF for about three years. Would this be sufficient for the community work?

2) With regards the conflict resolution questioning, can anyone expand on that a little? I'm afraid that there's a 'wrong' answer and that I'll give it!

3) I'm shortsighted, and will need laser surgery to correct this. If I get as far as the medical stage, can I then postpone the medical to get the surgery done? As I'm only getting it to join the force.

4) Should I make it clear that I'm looking at the full time force as a future career? I've a degree already, but don't wish to pursue that field - I want to be a Garda instead.

Any help and advice would be excellent. Thanks to all for contributing to this thread, helps us newbies an awful lot!

Hi Jimmy,

As someone who had an interview recently I think the best piece of advice I can give is to prepare the things outlined in the preparation material. The interview went exactly as outlined (i.e. i was asked questions about the 3 themes Community Involvement, Working as Part of a Team and Solving a Difficult problem)....the lady from PAS asked questions about teamwork in my job and why I felt it was important etc...

Then it passed over to the Super who asked about community involement (dont know much about the RDF but I would think that this would be looked on favourably as involvement in the community). Then he asked about solving a difficult problem and I gave him an example from work...he then asked about solving one in a social setting (so as it mentions in the prep material have a few prepared, maybe you can bring in problems you have faced in the martial arts or drama here and how you resolved them??).

After that the Super asked about my reasons for wanting to join and what areas I would enjoy/dislike the most. The time really flies by and I felt I didn't get to say all I had prepared. With regards getitng across that you want to join full time I'm sure that would be a good thing to say (it never came up in mine though)

Dont know about the medical sorry!!

Hope this helps,
sf

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Was I supposed to receive preparation material? I only got the letter, and the material outlining the written exercise.

Sorry maybe "preparation material" was a bit misleading.....it's just the 2 pages that you get with the letter. The first page and half talks about the interview and then the rest is about the written test

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

I presume the problem would be one between people (i.e. a disagreement between colleagues), and not an actual problem with the job (copier breaking constantly!). I almost feel stupid asking that question!
But I just want to clarify it.

Actually I used a technical problem that I was having in work....I think that they just want to see your thought process as to how you go about solving problems so it doesn't really matter what the problem is.

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Same as with the social setting question - would a problem between two sports guys count?

Like I said I dont think its necessarily the problem that matters its your thought processes they are interested in

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

I only got the cover letter with the time and date of the interview, and a 6 page handout on the written part...

To be honest I cant actually remember where I got that 2 page'r......a lot of it is just general interview tips the main things to remember are the 3 areas they will concentrate on.....Community Involvement, Working as part of a team and Sloving difficult problems aswell as why you want to join the Reserves