EOP 2012

eophopeful

Hello all,

I applied for the EOP a few weeks ago, and their website says that the interviews take place in March. I haven't heard from them so far and I'm wondering whether they contact both successful and unsuccessful applicants. The fact that they don't send confirmation emails when you fill in the form is making me paranoid, as for all I know they didn't even get my application.

So, has anyone had any news (good or bad) from them?

Doug89

This is the IBEC Programme yeah?

I got an email from them last week, have interview on Thursday

NicsM

I applied last year and only found out about my interview a couple of days beforehand-they emailed me to let me know.

As fas as I know they select a shortlist to interview, sometimes they add more candidates to the shortlist as the interview process goes on.

Best of luck to anyone going for interviews-it's well worth it!

cunfam

Hi everyone, would anyone here have any further information on how a second language is assessed in these interviews? I would be very grateful for advice as the interview is coming up on Wednesday and I'm wondering what would be the best way to go about preparing. Thanks very much

NewsMeQuick

Hey is there anyone else around that has applied for the internship this year or knows someone who has?

I'm on the short list. I see there's a bit of info. from previous years on here and that has helped. Now I need to know what happens next! They said there would be 100-150 of us this year, out of 950-1000 applications.

The list of companies isn't huge, I don't think there's a lot of choice. I presented to them an idea of inviting 2 companies to the program and they never got back after that. I said I'd prefer not to use my foreign language (not crazy, trust me!) one person interviewing me said they spoke other languages and wanted to work mostly in English for different reasons also. I like tech. stuff so they asked me if I'd like to work for Apple in Cork, I said yeah. I hope that's not the only application! Don't want to put all eggs in one basket, even if they are hiring 500 new staff, many of those positions might not be relevant to fresh grads like us.

I said what I'm interested in and showed them I know who I am and am focused, so I don't want to be pushed into jobs just because 'it's a good opportunity' they were pretty fine with that actually.

I said I'm also interested in the Tourism Ireland option. I hope I'm not too in love with the idea of working abroad (have plenty of foreign experience already, internships, college abroad) and that I could hack that kind of work.

I note two things I'm not fond of: 1 the pay is not so good. Have you seen? If you work in Europe, it's just under 17k and if outside Europe just under 19k. I believe that a company that hires you is obliged to negotiate with you financial assistance for moving to a new place and accom for the first week or two. A friend of mine is doing the Bord Bia option and they told me that. That pay is not great. All the other companies I've applied for and internships pay 25-27k typically. If anyone knows any better I'd appreciate the perspective - if 17-19k isn't TERRIBLE for first year OK. The upside is that the retention rate after the internship with these guys is 88% so will surely get paid a bit more after, and surely fairly quickly see that continue. The second issue is it's called a 'bursary' and if you quit before the contract is finished, you must pay all that back. So it's not a typical salary.

How early do you think we might hear word back? I've emailed a couple of questions and got totally rejected...can't get anything answered from them now!! :mad:

Any questions, comments, ideas?

TillyTwanda

Hi ,
I'm on this year's shortlist, I'm glad I found this thread as it is very hard to get any information out of them as regards the programme and what they'll do for you.
I have an interview for the tourism Ireland position next week, the girl did tell me that the interviews are being held all day Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, so I can only imagine the amount of people being interviewed for it, I doubt I'll get it!
The pay is quite low but I haven't been able to find any other internships with much better to be honest. Another point that was unclear to me was the dit diploma and how it works, I'm also not sure if it comes with every placement or is it just certain companies.
Does anyone know if tourism ireland take on more than one candidate?

NewsMeQuick

Hey Tilly,

yeah I can answer some of that. They take on more than one candidate I'm sure - I asked which office you can work in and IBEC said any TI office in the world. Also, that's an area the govt. is really investing in - attracting tourism (and FDI) to Ireland so yeah there will be more than one post. They should have told us how many. Lift your chin up - you've more than a good chance - you're on the IBEC short list!!! :) You have more than a fighting chance! Go show them what you're made of!

I told them I was interested in the TI but I think I'll email just to remind them...don't want any mistakes now. I'm counting on that one as a backup.

Regards other internships - Vodafone/Microsoft/others start at 25/25k. So 17-19 IBEC is not so good to me. But there is more than just pay involved so I'm trying to look at the big picture.

The diploma...a friend on the Bord Bia one told me that they are WAY too busy to do more than a diploma whilw working on the internship. With TI I don't know. What they said to me was that some companies pay for all of it, some maybe half and some none of it. So it depends. There's a lot to be shown to us yet it seems.

I'm big into tech. so they said they'd put me down for Apple. But someone on here said the Apple interviews with IBEC already begun...but I haven't been called. doesn't look good. I'll keep up my spirit until I hear something.

takemeaway

Hey Tilly, I have an interview for Tourism Ireland next week too. The job specification says which locations they are hiring for this year, of the top of my head its Dublin, London, Coleraine, New York and Dubai, plus 5 europeans locations that I know I won't be considered for because I don't have a language. I think any location would be amazing to get, although I so badly want New York or Dubai.

The dipolma is optional and not all placements involve it as far as I'm aware. Although its deffinately part of the tourism ireland placement.

As far as the pay goes, I think you have to think about things in the longterm. TI placement would mean 2 years marketing experience for a huge international brand, possibily in an international location. Just think about the potential that will open up for your career and future pay packages. It's so hard to get relevant experience, a degree means very little now and its programmes like IBEC's EOP that will get you where you want to be.

TillyTwanda

Hi newsmequick!

Thanks for answering! Definitely email them, gentle reminders never hurt anyone
Unfortunately I did my degree in Hospitality Management so internships not so plentiful and not so highly paid!, but you're right it's all about the bigger picture, I'd be delighted to get it, hopefully my final year research will tip the scale (developing food tourism in Ireland)
Tech is high demand so I'm sure you'll hear something soon!! Thank you for the encouragement, I hope you hear something soon

TillyTwanda

Hi takemeaway!

I totally agree with you about the big picture, it's a fantastic opportunity, I'm the same as you I really want Dubai or New York but I'd even be happy with Dublin as I'm sure there would be opportunities to travel during it! The New York office is on Park Avenue.. amazing! I feel like my degree is worthless, I will definitely be heading for the masters if IBEC doesn't work out. Best of luck to you in your interview

takemeaway

Thanks Tilly, best of luck to you too!

BMKT

Hi folks,

Really glad I found this post, there's so little information available. I am on the EOP Short list this year too...I had an interview with Jim Bean/Beam company yesterday but did not get the position...which I was happy about to be honest once I learnt more about the job. However, I am just wondering what other companies have already had their interviews...just so I am not holding out hope for a company I will never get? I see above Tourism Ireland have already had their interviews, along with Jim Bean...anyone know of any others they wish to share? Any info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks.

NewsMeQuick

Hey,

the only news I have is about Tourism Ireland (TI). I sent an email asking for news and reminding the work I was interested in. It was like communicating it for the first time...they seemed completely new to what I said. I reminded them which work I was interested in - and during the interview I remember the replies, they understood me and the lights were green. I wondered why I wasn't considered for TI...I think they didn't put me forward, nothing to do with them selecting me. I tried to figure that out but kept getting 'the interviews have been chosen' BS...that was my backup plan if I didn't get some other big positions. So watch out...what you decided to target during the interview may be 'forgotten' along the way. Apply for other things as a backup I say.

itsgood2talk

Hi lads, I'm also on the shortlist and have had just one interview so far, with Apple. I was told afterwards that 3 or 4 candidates went for the interview and none of us got the position! Was a bit disappointed but wasn't expecting to get it as I finished my computing degree years ago.

NewsMeQuick

Nice username ^^ Exactly the benefit of discussion here :rolleyes:

Yeah they told me that it's the computer tech. positions that they're immediately hiring for. Even if you graduated 3 years ago, I can't see why you wouldn't be a good candidate. I doubt it was on that basis. I believe they hire for marketing positions also, I look forward to an interview for that...

itsgood2talk

:-) thanks... Well, good luck. It seemed like a really cool place to work!

BigGrayKettle

Hi Guys,

I am currently on the EOP Programme placed in Tourism Ireland, with my first year nearly complete.

Just for anyone concerned about the financial side of things (as I was), the bursary pay as you know is €1,400. If you do the DIT PgDip Programme (which all of us did as we weren't given the choice), IBEC take €91 p/m directly from your salary for the first year to fund it. The second year it is the full bursary paid.

I'm not sure this year but maybe you will be given the choice to do it or not. After the PgDip is done you have the option of completing a research thesis I believe to continue to a masters. The DIT course is great if you don't have a postgraduate qualification currently. For me its annoying as I have a masters of almost the exact same title from another university, so I'm paying now for this also, but at the same time it's no harm to get every qualification you can.

TI is a fantastic organization to work for, and I have to say the experience you will get is great. I'm really enjoying it so far, although I can't wait to start earning some better money. That said, I was offered a job through a contact paying way more than the bursary a few months ago, but didn't take it as I am learning so much and enjoying the work I'm doing now to such an extent. A lot of former TI EOP's have went on to some very good positions.

My advice to anyone that gets offered a placement with TI, jump at it!

NewsMeQuick

BigGrey,

thank you for your feedback! It's great to get some insight from someone who knows this part well.

The description you gave makes me very excited! I'm on the shortlist and expressed a very strong and clear interest in TI but I just found out the TI interviews have taken place and IBEC did not put me forward as I hoped. I think they focussed too much on other companies I was interested in. On the website I can't see a way of applying myself. If they do take any more applications I'll be the first to apply.

itsgood2talk

Cheers BGK, great to hear from the 'greener' side :-) .. I said I was open to anything in the interview which in hindsight probably goes against me... a long way to go... hopefully don't have to wait the full year for my next chance!

TillyTwanda

Biggraykettle,

Thank you so much for telling us a little bit about the TI placement, I had my interview, Thursday, I think it went well, but once out of the interview I started second guessing it! Anyway they said they'd be letting us know this week if we got it, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed, they have 11 places this year. I didn't realise they take so much for the pdip but I don't have a post grad qualification yet so it is no harm for me. Thanks again for sharing!!

NewsMeQuick

Hi all, how's this application going then? I haven't had any word since getting on the short list...I wonder if I should contact them and add a few more areas of interest to open opportunities or something...

tourism12

BigGrayKettle wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I am currently on the EOP Programme placed in Tourism Ireland, with my first year nearly complete.

Just for anyone concerned about the financial side of things (as I was), the bursary pay as you know is €1,400. If you do the DIT PgDip Programme (which all of us did as we weren't given the choice), IBEC take €91 p/m directly from your salary for the first year to fund it. The second year it is the full bursary paid.

I'm not sure this year but maybe you will be given the choice to do it or not. After the PgDip is done you have the option of completing a research thesis I believe to continue to a masters. The DIT course is great if you don't have a postgraduate qualification currently. For me its annoying as I have a masters of almost the exact same title from another university, so I'm paying now for this also, but at the same time it's no harm to get every qualification you can.

TI is a fantastic organization to work for, and I have to say the experience you will get is great. I'm really enjoying it so far, although I can't wait to start earning some better money. That said, I was offered a job through a contact paying way more than the bursary a few months ago, but didn't take it as I am learning so much and enjoying the work I'm doing now to such an extent. A lot of former TI EOP's have went on to some very good positions.

My advice to anyone that gets offered a placement with TI, jump at it!

hey im moving to Europe with Tourism Ireland and i start the diploma in dit in 2 weeks. I was wondering if you would be able to tell me if there were many lectures per day and if candidates had to dress formally for classes? I presumed we would just have to dress casually but i dont know what they expect.
i have graduation at the end of october and i am coming home for it but do you get many holidays?

BigGrayKettle

tourism12 wrote: »

hey im moving to Europe with Tourism Ireland and i start the diploma in dit in 2 weeks. I was wondering if you would be able to tell me if there were many lectures per day and if candidates had to dress formally for classes? I presumed we would just have to dress casually but i dont know what they expect.
i have graduation at the end of october and i am coming home for it but do you get many holidays?

Hi there, well done on getting the job.

No you don't have to dress up any way at all, just like you would normally in college or whatever. The way it worked for us was two weeks of full days, around 9AM-4:30/5:00PM Monday to Friday. You would have an hour for lunch and a coffee break in the morning and afternoon. The classes weren't too bad. Some were boring, some were very interesting. It depends on what you are into I guess, and on the specific lecturer.

In terms of the number of holidays you get, I am pretty sure it is fixed at 21 days. For permenant staff, it actually varies depending on the country you are placed in, as the local legislation governing the organsiation of working time applies as opposed to Irish legislation, so in many countries you will end up having more holidays than your manager for example.

Some offices over flexi-time and some don't, as again, local legisaltion may dictate otherwise.

Any other questions, please feel free to ask.

NewsMeQuick

Hi, I'm on the 2012-2013 shortlist but still haven't gotten any news. I've contacted a few times and felt like I was pestering them. Are they hiring at all this year? lol. I honestly feel like it's harder this year than last year and I've a good, broad degree not confined.

Anyone get any news?

itsgood2talk

I know what you mean.. Just finished my summer job and could REALLY do with getting a call from them! But have to remember that it's only September.. if you read the testimonials from previous candidates on the website, I think a lot of them said they started Sept/Oct/Nov. So all is not lost!

NewsMeQuick

I read all of that back in March/April, I've forgotten a bit of it. I know a few of them got work in July. Well I'll sit tight and hope for the best. (I'm saving as a backup plan) good luck!

itsgood2talk

Cheers, you too!

boldkittycat

Hi everyone, I got on this year's list as well. I had one interview in July and I got the job. So I've been working in France for the last two months. I do know other people who got jobs from the list. Their jobs are with Magners and Tourism Ireland. I also know people who were on the list who didn't get anything yet but some of them have got work through other programmes.

I hope something will turn up for you soon, I imagine it must be very frustrating waiting around to be called for an interview. I guess I wanted to post here to show that there are some good jobs on the list. I had never heard of the company I work for before and when I first got the call for the interview I was a bit unsure because I didn't know anything about them but I'm very happy with my placement.

playedalive

Thank you very much for the detailed information. I just received an e-mail from IBEC, saying that I made it to the second round. Basically, I am going to be sent an internet link and will have to do an automated online interview. From what I understand, I'll be talking via videolink and answering questions the link asks me. Has anyone have any experience/tips for it?

NewsMeQuick

My experience of the EOP as a short-listed candidate has not been good at all. In the initial interview, we discussed my work preferences and they seemed very accomodating and said they could hook me up with lots of potential jobs.

The first time that I heard anything about jobs was close to Christmas, they asked me if I was interested in 'business development' (sales) for alcohol companies pushing sales abroad - and you live abroad. This had absolutely nothing in common with what I was interested in.

Really, I think they've positions they want to fill and that's it, if by chance you are interested in one of these jobs, then you're lucky that your interests are aligned. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

playedalive

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

My experience of the EOP as a short-listed candidate has not been good at all. In the initial interview, we discussed my work preferences and they seemed very accomodating and said they could hook me up with lots of potential jobs.

The first time that I heard anything about jobs was close to Christmas, they asked me if I was interested in 'business development' (sales) for alcohol companies pushing sales abroad - and you live abroad. This had absolutely nothing in common with what I was interested in.

Really, I think they've positions they want to fill and that's it, if by chance you are interested in one of these jobs, then you're lucky that your interests are aligned. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

Hi Newsmequick,
Thanks for your comment. I was interested in the possibility of working with Tourism Ireland (I have 2 foreign languages). But, I've heard mixed reviews. I was talking to somebody in college about it. She knew a friend who did it and felt her skills were not appreciated. Maybe it depends on the role.

Anyway, I'll do the interview and see how it goes.

Happypaws2013

Hi, everyone here. Have you guys done the online interview? Would you mind sharing the info. about what questions come up in that interview?

playedalive

Happypaws2013 wrote: »

Hi, everyone here. Have you guys done the online interview? Would you mind sharing the info. about what questions come up in that interview?

I did mine yesterday. My questions were:

1) Describe your role in a college project?
2) Describe how you had to work with an undesirable person? What did you do?
3) Describe yourself in a role of responsibility?

Seriously, do as many practice sessions as possible. I should have done it with a few more under my belt. Mine was shockingly bad.

Happypaws2013

playedalive wrote: »

I did mine yesterday. My questions were:

1) Describe your role in a college project?
2) Describe how you had to work with an undesirable person? What did you do?
3) Describe yourself in a role of responsibility?

Seriously, do as many practice sessions as possible. I should have done it with a few more under my belt. Mine was shockingly bad.

Thank you very much for sharing! I have just started practicing myself tonight, and havent found my feet so far. ;)You will be alright. Good luck to you!

NewsMeQuick

playedalive wrote: »

Hi Newsmequick,
Thanks for your comment. I was interested in the possibility of working with Tourism Ireland (I have 2 foreign languages). But, I've heard mixed reviews. I was talking to somebody in college about it. She knew a friend who did it and felt her skills were not appreciated. Maybe it depends on the role.

Anyway, I'll do the interview and see how it goes.

Ah yikes, I really don't mean to put a downer on anything, just saying my experience was poor with them!

I actually applied for TI also, but when I asked them about it months later they said they 'forgot to put my application through'. A friend from college got that and she seemed very happy, I don't know more than that though. Best of luck!

john_mc_

TillyTwanda wrote: »

Hi newsmequick!

Thanks for answering! Definitely email them, gentle reminders never hurt anyone
Unfortunately I did my degree in Hospitality Management so internships not so plentiful and not so highly paid!, but you're right it's all about the bigger picture, I'd be delighted to get it, hopefully my final year research will tip the scale (developing food tourism in Ireland)
Tech is high demand so I'm sure you'll hear something soon!! Thank you for the encouragement, I hope you hear something soon

Hi tilly. I'm pretty much in the same boat as yourself, currently studding hospitality, and my final year research is on food tourism in Ireland. I would love to get the TI or bord bia place. have you any advice or areas i should look at for food tourism info. Thanks
John

permangulator

Hi Guys. Is there anybody here that actually did or is doing the program? Absolutely any help or advice at all would be more than appreciated!!