CO Exams Civil Service

Clairecluck

Hi everyone,

My boyfriend recently sat the CO exams for the civil service in Dublin ( it think he did them on the 8th of October)

Just wondering if anyone else did them and if they've heard anything back yet?

Cheers:)

the_syco

I did mine on the 15th October. They're going on all last month and this month, and we're meant to hear back in November. When a mate did his, it was "late" the month after they finished, so I'd say late November before we hear anything back.

Clairecluck

cool, thanks a million, would just love him to have the interview over with by December January, but I'd say that's unlikely. I suppose we'll just have to sit tight!

subway

do these positions get advertised on publicjobs or how do you hear about them?
cheers

Clairecluck

They are advertised on www.publicjobs.ie, you can log on and register with them, and then apply for the apptitude tests...simple enough procedure, its the waiting thats the killer!

the_syco

subway wrote: »

do these positions get advertised on publicjobs or how do you hear about them?
cheers

Next tests for these jobs won't be around till next year (it's a yearly thing), but some other jobs are regularly posted. Sign up for the email alerts, tbh.

Clairecluck

Anyone hear anything back?

the_syco

Clairecluck wrote: »

Anyone hear anything back?

Nope. Tests are all September and October. You won't hear anything back till November.

Clairecluck

Any news anyone?

the_syco

Nope. One of my mates did another one a few months back, and didn't hear anything back until near the end of the month of answers, so I'm thinking I'll get a reply late November, tbh.

Clairecluck

mmmmmmmmm, just had word from him there, he's been successful in the tests. Just has to wait for an interview now....I wonder how many people sat the tests

the_syco

Clairecluck wrote: »

mmmmmmmmm, just had word from him there, he's been successful in the tests. Just has to wait for an interview now....I wonder how many people sat the tests

BASTARD!:p When did he get word? As in date?

Deadalus

Just heard back myself there yesterday. I passed and I am something like 25th in the queue or somthing

Clairecluck

no no date, just was told that he would be called to interview according to merit. I wonder how many jobs are going....

the_syco

Clairecluck wrote: »

no no date, just was told that he would be called to interview according to merit. I wonder how many jobs are going....

No, like what date did he get the letter that said he got what ever score he got?

Clairecluck

oh sorry, he got it this morning, not sure what order of merit he got, I'll find out when I get home! Thts why I was wondering how many people sat the tests....to see what sort of chances he had of being called relative to the where he came on the list. he did his a week before you so I wouldn't worry too much about not having received your results!

TomdaBomb

Hi everyone,

Just spotted this thread and was wondering if anyone else who had done this exam has heard back? i havent heard anything and I can't stop checking my public jobs account:eek:

Also, just wondering what place you realistically have to get to be in with a chance of a job?

thanks

Stephen

What actual jobs are you all applying for?

the_syco

Dublin Clerical officer, and Government Clerical Officer.

Spades

What are these exams like. I have heard about them before but not sure exactly what they were like.

Electric

Hey,

I've taken the CO exams before. Firstly there's the aptitude tests. Then you get feedback outlining how you've performed on the grading curve. Then they'll let you know if you've got an interview. If you're successful you might be placed straight away or you could go onto a panel (which if memory serves correctly lasts for 2 years)

Be under no illusions....these things take forever! If you sat the exams in Sept/Oct, you'll probably get feedback now. But you might not get the interview until Christmas! Or maybe after it depends on what other competitions they have going on. Then it's another wait to hear if you've gotten the bloody job.

The biggest problem they have in filling the jobs is that people got for the aptitude tests, interview etc. but because it takes so long (can take up to 6 months) people have found other jobs and aren't available

minxmad

this thread is great, I was going to put up a thread on the process on how to apply for civil service jobs and this has given me a good indicator! Is it worth me applying to do the test now? as from what I can see from your posts they seem to take place in September /October so I may have missed the boat this year or can you go ahead and apply anyway?

I have retail management experience and want to know if these skills could be applied to the public sector via clerical roles? I am interested in the north west of ireland
electric says:

The biggest problem they have in filling the jobs is that people got for the aptitude tests, interview etc. but because it takes so long (can take up to 6 months) people have found other jobs and aren't available
Yesterday 18:39

Mad isnt it!!!:eek:

the_syco

minxmad wrote: »

I have retail management experience and want to know if these skills could be applied to the public sector via clerical roles? I am interested in the north west of ireland

You do test, get job that they think is suited to you. You can always apply for a job transfer once there, but from what I gather, you don't get much choice in your first job.

druss

the_syco wrote: »

You do test, get job that they think is suited to you. You can always apply for a job transfer once there, but from what I gather, you don't get much choice in your first job.

Not really true if you've applied for the general CO,EO or AO jobs. If you qualify for a CO position it will be assumed, based on your test and interview, that you are suitable for all clerical level jobs.

So if you finish first on your panel, for example, this will mean that you'll be offered the next available vacancy at CO level. Unless you've applied for a very specific job role (there are some EO and AO IT jobs for example), nobody will take a last look at your CV and decide not to offer you a job because you don't have enough IT skills etc.

There are obviously advantages and disadvantages to this.

Sometimes it is also possible to refuse job offers and to stay in your position on the panel. You are taking a risk though.There mightn't be any more jobs available for a start!

Electric

minxmad wrote: »

this thread is great, I was going to put up a thread on the process on how to apply for civil service jobs and this has given me a good indicator! Is it worth me applying to do the test now? as from what I can see from your posts they seem to take place in September /October so I may have missed the boat this year or can you go ahead and apply anyway?

I have retail management experience and want to know if these skills could be applied to the public sector via clerical roles? I am interested in the north west of ireland
electric says:


Mad isnt it!!!:eek:

If you have retail management experience you'll probably find that the starting pay is too low for you (its slightly over €23k) at least that's what I found.

If you apply for a CO position is say the public service then yes you could be placed anywhere but they usually try to match your experience to a job that can make the best use of it.

It's also true that you can transfer to another position in another area. But you need to complete your probation first (usually 6 months - 1 year). The other problem is that it can take time to be transferred or that you might find that your specific job is being decentralised to say Offaly. As decentralisation is now part of the deal with new public service employees they may not be too keen on you looking to go somewhere other than Offaly.

Depending on how much experience you have I would say try to apply for something at EO or AO level. TBH CO is really just entry level and some of the jobs are more suited to school leavers, people with minimal experience or people availing of the Civil Service training schemes.

TomdaBomb

Hi all, sorry to push, just wondering if anyone has heard back from the tests in Sept Oct. I haven't heard anything and I'm just anxious to know if I'm in the minority i.e. whether I have failed or not :eek:

Electric

They will let you know either way. These things just take time.

What is a long time in the private sector isn't comparable to what is a long time in the public sector.

the_syco

You're told straight away if you failed.

Clairecluck

the_syco wrote: »

You're told straight away if you failed.

Where did you get that information from, I don't think its correct, one of the guys who posted here mentioned that he has been contacted and that he got placed 28th in order of merit.

Electric

You are not told straight away if you failed the aptitude tests. They don't even mention failing they just tell you where you came in the order of merit and whether your score was in the upper, middle or lower range of the scale.

It's not possible for them to determine these things straight away, there are hundreds who sit the test at any one time. They aren't going to be able to say who did what right there and then.

When you get your feedback they let you know if they will be in touch regarding interview. If they don't mention it then you probably won't get one

the_syco

One of the people I know were rang, and told they failed, two weeks ago. I'm not talking about if they did badly, I'm talking failed failed.

Ah. I think I've stated my point wrongly. By "failed" I meant when they start giving out the results, they're the first to know, and then they go through the list, from the top to the bottom.

No point in having someone who failed wait a year to be told they failed.

As for interview, I've known people who were 1000+ on th list, and got a job.

inarut

minxmad wrote: »

this thread is great, I was going to put up a thread on the process on how to apply for civil service jobs and this has given me a good indicator! Is it worth me applying to do the test now? as from what I can see from your posts they seem to take place in September /October so I may have missed the boat this year or can you go ahead and apply anyway?

I have retail management experience and want to know if these skills could be applied to the public sector via clerical roles? I am interested in the north west of ireland
electric says:


Mad isnt it!!!:eek:

You can apply at any time by contacting the public appointments service. Be prepared to wait a while though. Your management experience would only be useful at higher grades as any previous experience usually counts for nothing at clerical level despite the fact that work is similiar in many cases to higher grades. But this would depend on the area you work in.

Electric

As for interview, I've known people who were 1000+ on th list, and got a job.[/QUOTE]

That's what I meant when I said that the biggest problem they have filling jobs is that it takes too long and people don't wait so then they move down the list.

Did you ever get feedback about your results from the aptitude tests? They're supposed to provide it.

the_syco

Electric wrote: »

Did you ever get feedback about your results from the aptitude tests? They're supposed to provide it.

Not yet, but from a mate who got a job in the service: you'll be given this when your number comes up, so to speak.

Spider_Baby

Hi,
does anyone know how you'd go about getting a job in revenue? Looking to get a job and hopefully sit the revenue exams.
Do you just apply normally in the next round of Clerical Officer exams and then state in the interview that you would prefer Revenue?
Or is there a seperate competition for revenue jobs, seperate to c.o ones? If so do you know when this is?
thanks

Crania

Just wondering how hard hard is it to become a Third Sec in the Dept. of Foreign Affairs? As in, about how many people apply each year and how many do they take in every year?

What's the starting salary for a Third Sec? What does it rise to, ie how much would an Ambassador earn?

Kimbot

Spider_Baby wrote: »

Hi,
does anyone know how you'd go about getting a job in revenue? Looking to get a job and hopefully sit the revenue exams.
Do you just apply normally in the next round of Clerical Officer exams and then state in the interview that you would prefer Revenue?
Or is there a seperate competition for revenue jobs, seperate to c.o ones? If so do you know when this is?
thanks

You can't request where to be placed straight away. Sometimes each Dept. holds its own C.O. recruitment but you could end up in Revenue in Tipperary depending on where vacancies need to be filled first.

Barlow07

the_syco wrote: »

Not yet, but from a mate who got a job in the service: you'll be given this when your number comes up, so to speak.

I did a test back in the middle of October and got my results this morning in the post, i passed and a Merit. I now just have to wait for the interview process for a position it says. I would imagnie that most people will be getting there results this week in the post.

the_syco

Barlow07 wrote: »

I did a test back in the middle of October and got my results this morning in the post, i passed and a Merit. I now just have to wait for the interview process for a position it says. I would imagnie that most people will be getting there results this week in the post.

Cool. Hopefully soon.

the_syco

Yea. Got it in the post today.

the_syco

Update: rang them today, was told that they're still going though a "previous panel", and should get to me around June or July. I was in the 400-450 area, to give an idea of how long it may be before you get contacted for an interview.

ariana`

I did them in October/November (not sure exactly) and i got results today via a message on the publicjobs website.

TheBeach

Got my results today too. Whoot! Passed

ariana`

Well done TheBeach. I passed too

I wonder is there any way of finding out how many sat them? I got my placing but i've no idea if it's good or bad

the_syco

ariana` wrote: »

Well done TheBeach. I passed too

I wonder is there any way of finding out how many sat them? I got my placing but i've no idea if it's good or bad

Roughly what number are you? I'm in the low 400's, and when I rang them recently, told that I'd be interviewed June or July.

yabadabado

i was told aront 20,000 sat the exam but id say at least half that number failed .if u get called to the interview u more or less have the job its kinda just to meet u and ask u a few q's that u have already answered on a form u fill before the interview u wud have to **** up big time not to get the job at that stage
edit:when i say failed i mean people who did not reach the cut off point .but if u failed this time id still try again its all on the day and there is a couple of exam preperation books.

Helix

yabadabado wrote: »

id say at least half that number failed

i really really doubt that

the pass level is insanely low (eg i think 6 correct answers in the maths is a pass)

2BFree

Hi guys.

I went for an interview for a CO this month, having done the exam in august/september sometime. I was very nervous in the interview. I was told I will be contacted in 3-4 weeks if I got the job.

I am just wondering what the chances are of actually getting the job at this point? Some have mentioned that they sometimes? tell you there and then if you got it.

Is it likely and worth the wait or should I just go and seek another job?

yabadabado

Helix wrote: »

i really really doubt that

the pass level is insanely low (eg i think 6 correct answers in the maths is a pass)

yeah its low but there is a cut off point so even passing the test doesnt mean u will be given a placing.

yabadabado

2BFree wrote: »

Hi guys.

I went for an interview for a CO this month, having done the exam in august/september sometime. I was very nervous in the interview. I was told I will be contacted in 3-4 weeks if I got the job.

I am just wondering what the chances are of actually getting the job at this point? Some have mentioned that they sometimes? tell you there and then if you got it.

Is it likely and worth the wait or should I just go and seek another job?

i dont think they tell people at the interview any more that they been accepted.id wait and id be fairly sure u have a good chance of getting it .*see my post from early on

ariana`

Roughly what number are you? I'm in the low 400's, and when I rang them recently, told that I'd be interviewed June or July.

I'm in the low 100s so maybe there'll be something soon enough :eek: