ICT Specialists (Executive Officer level) in Civil Service

Moocifer

Zippy got a message on my public jobs this afternoon.

As for the interview I was told it would be competency based in the way they would quizz you about your skills and experience but that I wouldn't have to have pages of scenarios prepared before hand. I hope I was informed correctly.

shannonp

Just got the message from public jobs that I have an interview on the 6th May, came 74th on the order of merit.

It's interesting that there are no competencies to be filled out prior, that's the norm in the civil service.

Zipppy

I'm holding my breath here....I'm 134....we're up to 122 so I gather..that coudl be 61 + 61....Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

fguinan

rostalof wrote: »

Ok, now I'm confused. I didn't provide any competency examples on my application, I just rechecked it there. Moocifer has been told they won't play any part in it and fguinan who already had his interview said it was competence based?

I didn't provide any examples on the application, just qualifications and work experience, but the interview was structured by going down through the competencies listed, in order, and they looked for an example of each from your previous work/study experiences.

I think its important to have two examples for each, but for most you will only be asked for one. Its not too daunting but i wouldn't like to try and think of examples on the fly!

Zipppy

schmillson2 wrote:

er.....no.....I didn't provide these. And I've an interview too.....

Mind me asking what number you were?

fxotoole

OK, I was getting mixed up with another promotion I went for recently. Just checked the application form again, and they didn't ask for examples for each competency.

So I guess what's happening is the interview is competency based, but they just didn't ask for examples of each competency on the application form. You'll still need to come up with 2 examples for each competency prior to the interview though.

Appendix 1 of the information booklet breaks down the competencies.

Zipppy

Sorry to hog this thread a bit

If I ring PAS will they tell me what number there're up to?

fguinan

Zipppy wrote: »

Sorry to hog this thread a bit

If I ring PAS will they tell me what number there're up to?

They are very good at answering emails!
PASrecruitment@publicjobs.ie

schmillson2

Zipppy wrote: »

Mind me asking what number you were?

In the 60's.....my guess from the recent posts and their placement numbers/interview dates is that they are selecting specific candidates that fit certain criteria for specific job roles and interviewing them all on the same day. So it wouldn't mean that everyone from 62 to 122 would actually be called for interview. Maybe I'm wrong about that but that's my guess.......

Moocifer

Number 122 here and I have my interview for two weeks time so I would say don't give up hope.

I definitely think 123 will be called as it's so long since I did an interview I'll probably make a show of myself :-D

Yenwod

schmillson2 wrote: »

In the 60's.....my guess from the recent posts and their placement numbers/interview dates is that they are selecting specific candidates that fit certain criteria for specific job roles and interviewing them all on the same day. So it wouldn't mean that everyone from 62 to 122 would actually be called for interview. Maybe I'm wrong about that but that's my guess.......

I don't know about that. The info book said if a job was to come up that was looking for a specific skill and you're on the panel awaiting placement, you may need to interview again against other people on the panel with the same skill.

I'm guessing first round of interviews were people 1-61 and now this second round is 62-122.

Zipppy

Yenwod wrote: »

I don't know about that. The info book said if a job was to come up that was looking for a specific skill and you're on the panel awaiting placement, you may need to interview again against other people on the panel with the same skill.

I'm guessing first round of interviews were people 1-61 and now this second round is 62-122.

61 appears a strange number to call to interview??

No reply to my mail so will ring today

Yenwod

Zipppy wrote: »

61 appears a strange number to call to interview??

No reply to my mail so will ring today

Very strange but that's what was called first time around. God knows why?! It hurts my OCD

Zipppy

They have brought 70 more for interview following the initial 61..........I'm 3 off Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

The_Conductor

Whats the pass rate at interview? How fast are people being placed?

Zipppy

The_Conductor wrote: »

Whats the pass rate at interview? How fast are people being placed?

No idea ...

Don't suppose you have an indications to numbers of vacancies?

I assume panel is one or two years so there is a chance yet...

The_Conductor

The numbers of contractors in IT who could potentially be replaced by EO ICTs is vast. However- you'd need specific skillsets- such as a demonstrable competence in Java and/or SQL to get over that bridge.

I really have no idea.........

rostalof

This may seem like a daft question but I seem to be hitting a mental block with it. What are they looking for in the "Specialist Knowledge, expertise and self development" competency? Examples of IT knowledge and expertise? Personal special areas of interest within the IT field?

fxotoole

rostalof wrote: »

This may seem like a daft question but I seem to be hitting a mental block with it. What are they looking for in the "Specialist Knowledge, expertise and self development" competency? Examples of IT knowledge and expertise? Personal special areas of interest within the IT field?

They're looking for an example of where you demonstrated the following:

• Displays high levels of skills/ expertise in own area and provides guidance to colleagues
• Has a clear understanding of the role, objectives and targets and how they support the service delivered by the unit and Department/ Organisation and can communicate this to the team
• Leads by example, demonstrating the importance of development by setting time aside for development initiatives for self and the team

If you can work some IT specific skills into your example, so much the better

Moocifer

Had my interview this morning and it didn't go well for me:rolleyes: Oh well at least it will be one more interviewed off the panel

The_Conductor

Moocifer wrote: »

Had my interview this morning and it didn't go well for me:rolleyes: Oh well at least it will be one more interviewed off the panel

Never say never- and remember to get the feedback, regardless of what the outcome is. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Yenwod

Moocifer wrote: »

Had my interview this morning and it didn't go well for me:rolleyes: Oh well at least it will be one more interviewed off the panel

I felt mine didn't go well at all and I passed it & passed it much better than I ever thought I could so as above, never say never!

Moocifer

Nah it was my own fault I really hadn't done enough preparation. Didn't help that one of the panel was from my own department. They knew more about the systems than I did!!

Oh well at least it was experience, it's been so long since I did an interview due to the embargo that I was seriously out of practice!

JonT

Still no word on being offered a job after being placed after the first round of interviews. Hopefully will hear soon!

Zipppy

JonT wrote: »

Still no word on being offered a job after being placed after the first round of interviews. Hopefully will hear soon!

That's a bit of a wait....

fguinan

Zipppy wrote: »

That's a bit of a wait....

Garda vetting can take 4 to 6 weeks!

Zipppy

Fingers crossed they will call a few more on this:)

madrabui

Zipppy wrote: »

Fingers crossed they will call a few more on this:)

They will most likely. From my understanding more people with programming skills e.g. java, c are needed.

Zipppy

madrabui wrote: »

They will most likely. From my understanding more people with programming skills e.g. java, c are needed.

I find it strange that software dev is done in house....most PS organisations out source mostly....

madrabui

Zipppy wrote: »

I find it strange that software dev is done in house....most PS organisations out source mostly....

True, but they need some that can converse in such languages.