council jobs..is it really who you know?

chancer_007

was thinking of applying for a job in dublin co co
I read most people think its who you know(not what you know),is this really the case?

if so how does it work?do you need to have a brother/sister working there and they put "in a good word" with some manager?
just curiousthanks in advance

Dundhoone

Interview panels are generally random senior people from other public sector bodies. So if that "who you know" thing existed at one stage, its gone now.

tommylizard

i'd agree with the last poster, what with the EU' the legislation on discrimination and all that it's pretty much an open draw at the moment. i'm sure if your auld fella was in it he could pull strings or whatever but there is more transparency nowadays apparently.

well i hope so in anyways, stuck my application in the other day

chancer_007

thanks for the replies.
good to see the council are changing(slowly!)
will apply & let you know what happens

pete4130

Believe me, its not who you know. The panels are sleected from senior people throughout the local authorities across the country. Usually 1 admin, 1 technical and 1 HR.
Some positions that come up obviously might give an advantage to a current DCC employee as they would have a more in depth knowledge of what the job might entail moreso than a person coming in fro outside the local authority.
As a rule they like you to be enthusiatic, willing to learn new skills, show an interest and have at least some knowledge of how the local authorities operate, what they do, services they provide etc.....

snoopy12

hi guys,
just wondering whether anyone knows how long you might be waiting before being called for local authority interviews - i have applied for loads of technical positions going back to before christmas and have only gotten acknowlegement letters... very frustrating!!!

Dundhoone

Four to six weeks imo, sometimes faster.
They may have decided not to hold the interviews for the position you applied for? Theres no harm in ringing the HR section and asking if they plan to hold the interviews and if they expect it to be soon.

nhughes100

Yeah I went for a job with Westmeath Coco and there was nobody from Westmeath on the interview panel. Didn't get it as it was a programmers job and I told them I wasn't interested in programming but 11 months later they rang me wanting to know could I cover a maternity leave(panels are valid for a year after the interview) I refused as it was only a short term contract but I regret it now as once your foot is in the door a lot more opportunities open up. County councils move slowly when it comes to hiring, think I was 4-5 months from application to interview.

You could quite possibly get a contract job or entry level grade if you know someone in there but permenant pensionable normally goes to interview.

Dundhoone

nhughes100 wrote: »

You could quite possibly get a contract job or entry level grade if you know someone in there but permenant pensionable normally goes to interview.

All jobs are subject to interview. Even contract, and entry level. Transparent scoring system, random panel of interviewers and a complaints/grievences panel.

You are thinking of public services in the eighties, and that wonderful stereotype everyone seems to have of mick, joe , tom and bob, four brothers, one shovel, and lot of looking in a hole to do all day.:D