Civil Service - Executive Officer

ublinia2

Are the results for these out yet?

whiskeyman

out this week.
publicjobs.ie for more info.
No doubt you'll get an email once they are out.

Elmo

Email got today. Results out.

reesie

and what does it all mean?!

whiskeyman

You should have been told if you're successful or not, and then a placement number.
The 2nd stage will commence shortly... you'll be called up depending on your place, and the number of vacancies.

ublinina2

Didnt do the test myself , but can anybody tell me what it was like. Was it of a very high standard . what were the management type questions like ?

Elmo

Sample questions can be found at www.publicjobs.ie

Elmo

Anyone know how many people took this exam?

Also anyone doing the CO or EO ICT exams at the weekend?

cashback

Anyone know what he numbers mean? Are they the order in which you came or are they just random, alphabetical, etc?
A friend of mine did it too and his numbers were significantly lower.
Anyone know when these next interviews start?

samb

11,000 actually took the test aparently. I'm not sure how the process works from now on though. I came 75 for those who selected Waterford/Wexford but I doubt there are many jobs in that region going to arise.

I only got one message but applied for two regions, anybody know why that might be.

samb

cashback wrote:

Anyone know what he numbers mean? Are they the order in which you came or are they just random, alphabetical, etc?
A friend of mine did it too and his numbers were significantly lower.
Anyone know when these next interviews start?

Sorry but your friend did significantly better I think. Although only if there in the same regions. The Dublin numbers are much higher though. I know someone who was Carlow/Kilkenny 171 but Dublin 1445. big difference

ublinia2

Is this Executive officer position (if you get offered it) a permanent position or a only a years contract ?

lizzyrocker

samb wrote:

11,000 actually took the test aparently. I'm not sure how the process works from now on though. I came 75 for those who selected Waterford/Wexford but I doubt there are many jobs in that region going to arise.

I only got one message but applied for two regions, anybody know why that might be.

I'd say it meant you only got onto one of the panels you applied for, I got on both panels I applied for, tho not great position (around the 100 mark on both )

samb

I think around a 100 mark is not bad, if you chose Dublin it is great. I actually only chose one region, I just found out:( Many may have applied for Dublin and one other region but do not actually want to move from Dublin. These may leave the panels that you are around 100mark on.

It is a permanent position after a probation period.

lizzyrocker

Yeah I guess your right, maybe it isn't as bad as I thought. I did call them last week when I got the result. They told me that the current vacancies are in Dublin, Carlow/Kilkenny, and er... either Waterford or Wexford (sorry can't fully remember ). The 2 regions i picked were in the West of Ireland, so I guess its a case of hoping I'll get called up to the second stage over the next 2 years.

Did anybody else do the ICT Executive Officer exams in Croke Park on Saturday? I couldn't get over the amount of older people aged 30 - 55 doing the the exams (about 75% IMO) going for the graduate positions. It says so much about the state of the I.T. industry in this country at the moment . I think there's only 9 jobs for this initially, but they are creating a panel too.

Elmo

Did anybody else do the ICT Executive Officer exams in Croke Park on Saturday? I couldn't get over the amount of older people aged 30 - 55 doing the the exams (about 75% IMO) going for the graduate positions. It says so much about the state of the I.T. industry in this country at the moment . I think there's only 9 jobs for this initially, but they are creating a panel too

The Civil Service is a good job. It's not as Stressful as the private sector and you are gaurenteed your job, a private company could close or have mass lay offs.

It a 2 year probationary period until you made permanent.

I came 75 for those who selected Waterford/Wexford but I doubt there are many jobs in that region going to arise.

God and I thought I had done well Oh well! I was in the 100's for that area while I was in the 1000's for Dublin.

The EO exam for ICT was the same exam used for the EO's, will we have to do another exam for the EO ICT position?

ublinia2

where can you find the information and the results of this ? normally the results are on the website but i cannot seem to find them.

whiskeyman

ublinia2 wrote:

where can you find the information and the results of this ? normally the results are on the website but i cannot seem to find them.

If you applied, you should have got an email about them.
You then login (you need to register to apply) and you'll have a message with your result number.
They dont have the results on the site for visitors...

Elmo

The EO exam for ICT was the same exam used for the EO's, will we have to do another exam for the EO ICT position?

I think we will have to do another exam.

Results are already out for the first set of exams.

lizzyrocker

Elmo wrote:

Results are already out for the first set of exams.

Yeah, got my results too.

How many do you reckon will get called to the second stage, there were only 9 positions in the original job spec?

samb

Anyone know what the story is with this now. Have they called anyone for second stage yet? Where are they recuiting for?

James Hunt

Hi, are you lads talking about the 2005 Executive Officer Open competition?

I did that exam in the RDS back in September....(the day after the All-Ireland Final, could probably have been timed better for me!). Anyway, I applied for Kerry, where I'm from, and Dublin, where I live. The exam results came through a while back, and I think I did reasonably well considering how many people actually attended (11,000 someone said?). There was a second stage to the competition there before Christmas, another written section and a structured interview, and the results for that came through as well the other day. Now, forgive my ignorance here right, but if they say that you have been successful and will be considered for a position when a vacancy becomes available in your chosen region, and then give you a number in the order of merit, and supposing that number was quite a low number....how long would you expect to be waiting for 'the call'? How many positions become available? Is it 5? 10? 100?

Anyone have a clue about that....I'd give anything to be able to give my notice in my current job soon!

James Hunt

Hi...just to let interested people know. I was offered a position about a month ago, more or less straight after I wrote the above post - and will start it soon. That comes from the inital exam in September, another exam and interview in December, results in January, and subsequent offer.....all based on the Dublin region.

Elmo

Was this the EO exam or the EO(ICT) exam?

I has anyone heard back from the EO(ICT) exam?

James Hunt

This was the EO open competition.

Elmo

This was the EO open competition.

What place where u in orginally?

James Hunt

Elmo wrote:

What place where u in orginally?

After the first main exam in the RDS, you mean?.....I was in the top ten in the Dublin Region after that, so to be honest, I was hoping to get called fairly quickly for subsequent stages.

samb

James Hunt wrote:

After the first main exam in the RDS, you mean?.....I was in the top ten in the Dublin Region after that, so to be honest, I was hoping to get called fairly quickly for subsequent stages.

To ten form original test is brilliant, you must be a lot cleverer than me:) . So you were called for second stage interview etc and were then put on a panel, and now offered a position. Do you know what the story is for the rest of us? Am I on a panel to be called for second stage or what (I passed first stage). They never explained it. I was 72 Wexford/Waterford which is not good, but it's ok. Should I be hopeful at all?

James Hunt

samb wrote:

To ten form original test is brilliant, you must be a lot cleverer than me:) . So you were called for second stage interview etc and were then put on a panel, and now offered a position. Do you know what the story is for the rest of us? Am I on a panel to be called for second stage or what (I passed first stage). They never explained it. I was 72 Wexford/Waterford which is not good, but it's ok. Should I be hopeful at all?

To be honest, I have absolutely no idea about the process as a whole or the availability of places. I can tell you that after the initial main R.D.S. exam for my regions (Dublin+Kerry), which was in September, the results came though in early December - with a second stage structured interview and another written test held on the same day as each other, just before christmas. The results for that came out around the end of January and they were in touch around a week after that with an offer. I don't know about a panel as such, but I would presume that there must be something like that alright, I know that they operate in that way. I'd say you must be on the second stage panel alright - seeing as you passed the first stage. When you get called for the second stage will depend on the number of jobs available in that region and the movement in the panel.....but I don't know where you could get accurate figures for those. Should you be hopeful?...of course, I can't see any reason not to be...you got through the first stage well enough, I'd say that it's just a matter of time before they get to you. Look at the thread about the Garda recruitment process in this forum, it's takes a while, but they get through it.

samb

Thanks, I suppose I should be hopeful.
Do you have any tips or advise on how to ace the second stage?. An interview and what excerise?(writing a letter or something)????

ronbyrne2005

i missed this test ,whens the next one? on the panel for another grauate position but could be waiting years!

James Hunt

samb wrote:

Thanks, I suppose I should be hopeful.
Do you have any tips or advise on how to ace the second stage?. An interview and what excerise?(writing a letter or something)????

Well, when they contacted me about that, they gave me a form that had to be filled out. Basically they have various headings under which you should describe something you have done, related to those headings. Then, when you get to the interview, they'll either ask you about those examples you've given, or other examples - so you'll have to have quite a few ready in your head. It pays to really go through the examples you've given very thoroughly beforehand, and always focus on your contribution to what you are describing...don't say 'we did' or 'we decided'...always refer to your own role in whatever it was. As for the second stage written test, we had to write a letter given various bits of information. The other part is impossible to explain...sort of like a more complicated letter in which you have to work out some figures as well. Not easy that second one, and time will be your enemy as always....

druss

Got called to the second stage the other week. The place was fairly busy and people waiting were on panels for a variety of regions. I'd reckon anyone who is reasonably well placed on a panel has a good chance of getting a call at some stage.

James Hunts description of events was very helpful, and i had my backup examples ready for the interview. In my case they tended to ask for very specific alternatives though, which ruined some of my backup answers.:eek:
Just hoping that i didn't flounder too much when that happened.

So with James Hunts time frame, i've got a month or so to wait for feedback.

Sgt Slaughter

Anyone know when the next one will be on. I just missed the last years one, i was in the States and when i came back it had already been past the closing date

druss

Sgt Slaughter wrote:

Anyone know when the next one will be on. I just missed the last years one, i was in the States and when i came back it had already been past the closing date

Its normally a two year period AFAIK. So that would be Sept 2007. They ran most of the graduate recruitment ones in 2005, eg EO, HEO, Third Secretary and AO. So they should have enough on those panels till 2007.

Register for email alerts on publicjobs.ie to get notified just in case though.

Cuppa Tee

I did stage one tests too, and am 14th on one panel, 23rd on the other. I still haven't got a call to stage two, but guess I'm high enough up for one to come eventually. I was just wondering, though, does anybody know how tightly they grade stage two selection? I mean, is it just the case that they bring you in with the expectation that you'll go through, and use your performance to determine your place on a panel; or do they actually turf you out of the process altogether if you don't reach a particular standard?
They obviously have a minimum score people need to reach, in order to qualify. How high that bar is set, is what I'm wondering?

druss

I was in the top ten in my panel, but i heard from an unreliable source that they were calling the top twenty in panels where they were initially recruiting. In Dublin this was probably more.

You'll definitley get called at some stage. Why don't you ring them and ask?

As to your second question, thats something i'm sweating on at the moment. They do say that getting a second stage interview is not a guarantee of a job. And while my interviewers were very relaxed and chatty, it was still a fairly thorough interview. After second stage they use the marks from the management tests and the interview to give you a new order of merit position.

So i would have to assume that you can't expect to automatically go through and that you could be turfed out if you do badly.

marie_85

I got 11th I think in Louth/Meath and about 77th in Dublin. They sent me the questionaire to fill out and I handed it back about a month ago. I've heard nothing since. How long is it before you're called for interview, or will I hear from them again?

samb

marie_85 wrote:

I got 11th I think in Louth/Meath and about 77th in Dublin. They sent me the questionaire to fill out and I handed it back about a month ago. I've heard nothing since. How long is it before you're called for interview, or will I hear from them again?

They communicate via internet, they will give you a message on thier website. I'd say you will here soon

Elmo

They are calling 1 - 39 I was 149

druss

marie_85 wrote:

I got 11th I think in Louth/Meath and about 77th in Dublin. They sent me the questionaire to fill out and I handed it back about a month ago. I've heard nothing since. How long is it before you're called for interview, or will I hear from them again?

I got the questionaire at the start of Febuary and got an interview/exam date sent out to me by email at the end of the month. In my case it was an email response, not a message on publicjobs.ie.

No need to panic, but maybe email them again and ask if they can confirm receipt of your application. Just in case.

They got back to me this week to say that i was successful in Stage 2 and that i'll be considered when a vacancy comes up. Moved me up a bit in the panel too.:D So now i have to wait for a vacancy.

samb

Anyone know if they are recruiting in Wexford/Waterford now?. Anyone got an interview or anything for that region?

What qualifications do you all have, Degree's or what? I have a degree but very little experience.

Elmo

As far as I know they are not looking for Degree holders for EO positions.

For EO(ICT) positions should hold a degree.

druss

samb wrote:

Anyone know if they are recruiting in Wexford/Waterford now?. Anyone got an interview or anything for that region?

What qualifications do you all have, Degree's or what? I have a degree but very little experience.

If the degree is a 2.2 or better, thats ok for your qualifications. They will also accept a good leaving cert, but having a degree will help you if you want promotion above EO level a few years down the line.

The exact qualifications are listed at this link http://www.publicjobs.ie/downloads/EO_Information_Booklet.doc

On your application for stage 2 you will be asked for examples of your brilliance in different areas.:p You can put in some examples from college, eg final project etc. Then add in examples from your work career, even work experience at college. Its very much a trainee management role, so they won't necessarily be looking for loads of experience. Just an aptitude for the job.

There wasn't anyone for Waterford/Wexford when i was there (that admitted it anyway!). Ring them or email them and check. You should have contact details with the letter giving you a breakdown of the results for stage 1. Ask if they have started calling people for that panel, and how far down the list they've gone.

marie_85

Checked with them earlier this week, they've interviewed up to place 28 in Dublin, and haven't interviewed anyone for Louth/Meath yet.

Cuppa Tee

Was forward for Stage Two the week before last. Again, thanks to James and Druss for their tips, which proved very useful. Got my result pretty quickly, they mailed me to say I'd been successful, and would be considered when a vacancy came up, etc, etc.

Like Druss, I've moved myself up a few places, though I'm aware I can be moved down the panel again if, before vacancies arise, more people are interviewed, and score higher than me.

All of which leads me to my question: Exactly how often do vacancies arise in areas outside of Dublin? I'm on a panel for a midlands region, which only started interviewing in March, when "one or two" vacancies arose - the first, I've been told, to arise since Stage One results came through in November.

I'm tenth on the panel, but at the rate of going of "one or two" vacancies in 4/5 months, it'll be quite a while before they get around to me! And, if in the interim, more people are interviewed, then I'm only likely to be moving downwards, and ultimately, despite a reasonably high starting position, would be unlikely to be called before recruitment begins again in 18 months.

I know I'm seeming a bit pessimistic, but I reckon a lot of people will be in a similar position to me, and I'm just curious to know if this is a realistic assessment of the situation?

druss

Cuppa Tee wrote:

Was forward for Stage Two the week before last. Again, thanks to James and Druss for their tips, which proved very useful. Got my result pretty quickly, they mailed me to say I'd been successful, and would be considered when a vacancy came up, etc, etc.

Like Druss, I've moved myself up a few places, though I'm aware I can be moved down the panel again if, before vacancies arise, more people are interviewed, and score higher than me.

All of which leads me to my question: Exactly how often do vacancies arise in areas outside of Dublin? I'm on a panel for a midlands region, which only started interviewing in March, when "one or two" vacancies arose - the first, I've been told, to arise since Stage One results came through in November.

I'm tenth on the panel, but at the rate of going of "one or two" vacancies in 4/5 months, it'll be quite a while before they get around to me! And, if in the interim, more people are interviewed, then I'm only likely to be moving downwards, and ultimately, despite a reasonably high starting position, would be unlikely to be called before recruitment begins again in 18 months.

I know I'm seeming a bit pessimistic, but I reckon a lot of people will be in a similar position to me, and I'm just curious to know if this is a realistic assessment of the situation?

I got my job offer at the start of April and i've agreed a start date in May.
So interview at the start of March, final place on panel confirmed two weeks later and job offer two weeks after that.

To be honest, I would say that you are being a bit pessimistic. For a start i would say that they are underplaying how many are being recruited. I was told it might be a few months before recruitment started.

Secondly not everyone ahead of you will take the job offer. I was moved up again after someone decided that they didn't want to work in the area they were offered.

I doubt they will start another interview round for a while, but even if they did remember that you were called first because you did really well in the first round. So someone called later would have to do really well to pass you out. I'm not even sure it's possible.

As to how often vacancies arise outside of Dublin, depends on the departments based in your region. Most of the new EO's in my region are going to where i'm going because that particular Dept is recruiting. Did you find out which Dept had "one or two vacancies"?

Cuppa Tee

Unsure which department was recruiting, but will look into it.

Thanks for info, Druss, and congrats on your own job. I'm feeling a tad more optimistic now! As ever, just a case of waiting and seeing...

arctic lemur

ublinia2 wrote:

Is this Executive officer position (if you get offered it) a permanent position or a only a years contract ?

The first two years are unestablished (not permanent). Your performance in the first year is monitored to see if you proceed to the second year. if probation period is successful then your sorted. i'm at the end of my second year now and its grand.