OPW Interview

IrishWelshCelt

Hi guys

I've an interview with the OPW for a tour guide job and was wondering what type of questions to prepare for? I understand you'll need to name the minister responsible for the OPW which I think is heather humpreys minister for arts and culture?

I don't have much practical expierence relating to the job so have mainly got the interview based off my educational credentials so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Oasis_Dublin

I also got a letter today. I thought it was a minister of state who was responsible for OPW?

What sorts of things have been asked in the past? I read somewhere that they like you mentioning about health and safety? Could you be questioned on health and safety? What sorts of questions might arise there?

IrishWelshCelt

Yeah after a bit of googling you're right - oddly its minister for state of the department of finance so Simon Harris currently.

I've read through old threads and it seems health and safety does pop up quite a bit.

Can I ask was the site you applied for in Dublin? I'm just wondering as from viewing old threads it seems the interviews were all in February and later not before Christmas.

Oasis_Dublin

Yeah in Dublin. I presume you are applying for a Dublin site also?

IrishWelshCelt

Yeah I am. It specified seasonal work but I'd assume the Dublin sites start employing guides earlier than down the country?

Calmcookie84

I applied for this post too. Was it today that you recieved a letter?

IrishWelshCelt

Yeah just arrived home and it was awaiting for me.

curioser

IrishWelshCelt wrote: »

Yeah after a bit of googling you're right - oddly its minister for state of the department of finance so Simon Harris currently.

I've read through old threads and it seems health and safety does pop up quite a bit.

Can I ask was the site you applied for in Dublin? I'm just wondering as from viewing old threads it seems the interviews were all in February and later not before Christmas.

I think you'll find that OPW is under the aegis of the Brendan Howlin's Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, where Simon Harris is also Minister of State.

Calmcookie84

IrishWelshCelt wrote: »

Yeah just arrived home and it was awaiting for me.

Cool! Best of luck with the interview. Hopefully I get a letter tomorrow.

IrishWelshCelt

Calmcookie84 wrote: »

Cool! Best of luck with the interview. Hopefully I get a letter tomorrow.

Thanks man, good luck!

Meathlass

I did this interview about 4 years ago. I was asked about

- the Minister responsible
- what the OPW do and other types of buildings they look after
- health and safety; how to deal with it on site if kids are running around on high walls etc.
- my knowledge of the history of the site
- how I would deal with a colleague who wasn't pulling their weight

I didn't get the job as the site had staff who returned year after year. My interview was very focused on the history of the site and how I would present it though this may have been because I was an archaeologist.

Oasis_Dublin

curioser wrote: »

I think you'll find that OPW is under the aegis of the Brendan Howlin's Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, where Simon Harris is also Minister of State.

http://www.opw.ie/en/welcome/

I think Harris is the Minister responsible, as per the OPW's own website. He's a Minister with "special responsibility for the OPW."

http://www.per.gov.ie/ministers-howlin-and-noonan-congratulate-minister-of-state-simon-harris-td-on-his-appointment-as-minister-of-state-at-the-departments-of-finance-public-expenditure-and-reform-and-taoiseach-with-speci/

Does anyone know how long the interviews lasted?

curioser

Oasis_Dublin wrote: »

http://www.opw.ie/en/welcome/

I think Harris is the Minister responsible, as per the OPW's own website. He's a Minister with "special responsibility for the OPW."

http://www.per.gov.ie/ministers-howlin-and-noonan-congratulate-minister-of-state-simon-harris-td-on-his-appointment-as-minister-of-state-at-the-departments-of-finance-public-expenditure-and-reform-and-taoiseach-with-speci/

Does anyone know how long the interviews lasted?

Minister of State Harris at the Department of PER has special responsibility for OPW.
He does not have any "powers" as such AFAIK. Certainly when the Minister of State at Finance had responsibility for OPW, there were no powers or duties delegated from the Minister to the Minister of State.
All powers etc at OPW are vested in the Commissioners of Public Works (the Board).
A bit technical really - I suppose all you need to respond, if asked, is that Minister Harris is the Minister responsible.

IrishWelshCelt

Meathlass wrote: »

I did this interview about 4 years ago. I was asked about

- the Minister responsible
- what the OPW do and other types of buildings they look after
- health and safety; how to deal with it on site if kids are running around on high walls etc.
- my knowledge of the history of the site
- how I would deal with a colleague who wasn't pulling their weight

I didn't get the job as the site had staff who returned year after year. My interview was very focused on the history of the site and how I would present it though this may have been because I was an archaeologist.

Thanks for the info man

Oasis_Dublin

Does anyone know what sort of health and safety questions they might ask?

Meathlass

Oasis_Dublin wrote: »

Does anyone know what sort of health and safety questions they might ask?

My interview focused on how you'd stop people who weren't following the H&S rules e.g. small children climbing high walls or warning people going into buildings about low ceilings etc.

IrishWelshCelt

You getting interviewed tomorrow OD?

Oasis_Dublin

IrishWelshCelt wrote: »

You getting interviewed tomorrow OD?

Yeah, in tomorrow. Yourself?

IrishWelshCelt

Yeah tomorrow morning, goodluck!

Oasis_Dublin

Go n-eirí an t-ádh leat freisin!

Oasis_Dublin

Interview lasted about 25 minutes. I was pretty much only asked about procedure, and not about the history of the site/work of the OPW. Questions related to health and safety on the site, children's tours, how my current/previous employment could help me if I was offered a job, difficult customers and poorly performing co-workers I've dealt with.

Cheers for all the tips!

IrishWelshCelt

I got pretty much the same questions as yourself OD, nothing about the site or the OPW at all. A lot of it was just asking the questions that were on the application but they seemed pretty impressed with my answers so fingers crossed. Thanks again for everyones tips!

Oasis_Dublin

Anyone who has been employed before, what sort of uniform/clothing are we expected to wear?

What sort of stuff should I have prepared for my first day, or will I just be given a script?