SEO positions local authority

RumTumTiger

DP considering applying for one of these.

Can Anyone in the local authorities she's any light as to how many of these vacancies are likely to arise? Are these roughly equivalent to AP in civil service? Generally what are the roles available? E.g are they HOD roles?
TIA

RumTumTiger

Anyone??

Zipppy

RumTumTiger wrote: »

DP considering applying for one of these.

Can Anyone in the local authorities she's any light as to how many of these vacancies are likely to arise? Are these roughly equivalent to AP in civil service? Generally what are the roles available? E.g are they HOD roles?
TIA

Yes SEO is equivalent to CS AP grade.
Difficult to say how many positions are available. Minimal I'd say..really surprised to see this competition.
Generally, in a spirit of downgrading everything and killing staff morale, AOs step in where SEOs were and similarity SEOs are utilised to do work that ExecManager (PO level) once did as HOD. The result of this is less opportunities for promotion and less roles.
So depends where you're based..might be HOD or not...

KCC

I wonder how many external applications there were? There doesn't seem to be much awareness of it on this thread at least.

RumTumTiger: did your partner end up applying?

RumTumTiger

Thanks for the info I was surprised to see it myself as I thought they would ry and get it internal only. This must be one of the first SEO comps of recent years?
Yes he applied. It will probably be another comp of various stages so the aim is to get through the first stage No idea on number of applicants. Told him to ring PAS but he hadnt as yet.

KCC

How did people get on with the tests?

I found the numerical reasoning to be fairly tricky. I had to guess the last four or five questions. The verbal reasoning and job simulation tests were ok.

Also, does anyone know if the numerical reasoning score is counted towards the overall score or if it is just a matter of reaching a qualifying standard on it ("passing it"). I'm worried I've blown it, but I guess I'll find out soon enough.

BTW PAS told me that about 1,000 people applied and they don't know how many positions there will be.

dgerryd

Hey guys/gals can anyone tell me where or how one could get more information about this thanks.

Whenever wherever

Did ok in first half of numerical but fell apart in second half! Examples were difficult to go thru also!

More difficult than PO!

dgerryd

Can you tell me where I could get more information about this thanks.

Whenever wherever

What type of info r u looking for?

dgerryd

What exactly is this test or exam about ? cheers

Whenever wherever

Local Authority equivalent of Assistant Principal open competition. First opportunity at this level in a no of years.

First stage of process was online test.

dgerryd

Lol and there is me thinking this was about Search Engine Optimisation as from previous posts there were mentions of SEO a good few time's funny thanks Whenever wherever

Tivoli1300

Found verbal and situational fine except verbal hard to see, tiny writing and could not optimise - numerical was awful, no chance I passed it. I am statistically trained and found it impossible in the time, so wonder how it is going to be assessed as imagine many people will have reacted badly to it.

KCC

Tivoli1300 wrote: »

IFound verbal and situational fine except verbal hard to see, tiny writing and could not optimise - numerical was awful, no chance I passed it. I am statistically trained and found it impossible in the time, so wonder how it is going to be assessed as imagine many people will have reacted badly to it.

It's good to hear from someone else who did it. I did the PO as well and also found it so easy in comparison.

I agree that many people must have found the numerical hard. So hopefully there will be a low pass standard and hopefully they won't take the score into account when calculating the overall mark.

If if helps, I think the EO numerical test had a qualifying standard of 29%.

Tivoli1300

I did the PO one too, a breeeze of a numerical compared to this one!

Tivoli1300

I did the PO one too, a breeze of a numerical compared to this one!

Yeboah

interesting to see how many jobs will come out of this competition. If the country is improving as much as the government are trying to portray then there should be a good few positions available to different county councils.

KCC

Yeboah wrote: »

interesting to see how many jobs will come out of this competition. If the country is improving as much as the government are trying to portray then there should be a good few positions available to different county councils.

PAS wouldn't/couldn't tell me how many vacancies there would be. I didn't think there would be many. I know my local county council only has one current vacancy at SEO level with a possible further one later this year.

KCC

Results will be out by Friday

KCC

I've been invited to the next stage (shortlisting)!

Anyone else?

Whenever wherever

Same as - didn't think that I would make it based on Numerical!

Delighted to have made next round!

Hard to know from letter though could one have passed exam and not b high enough to b called for next round though?

Larry Bee

My other half got through also. She didn't think she would get it cos of the maths. It looks like you get through if you reach the qualifying standard, i.e. meet the qualifying score in all three.

KCC

Whenever wherever wrote: »

Same as - didn't think that I would make it based on Numerical!

Delighted to have made next round!

Hard to know from letter though could one have passed exam and not b high enough to b called for next round though?

Congratulations!

Tivoli1300

I am through too, astonished to be honest as written off on basis of the maths but scored highly relative to the qualifying standard. Surprised enough to wonder were mine mixed up with those of another.

Samphire11

Any idea what the max score was in each category?

Whenever wherever

Well done - marks similar to your own tbh!



Could it ba case that this first part was only a Pass Fail and the competition only really starts now?

Tivoli1300

Could be, for the PO one there was a ranking and only those who scored in the top 25/30% were called to interview. No ranking for this one.

KCC

Tivoli1300 wrote: »

Could be, for the PO one there was a ranking and only those who scored in the top 25/30% were called to interview. No ranking for this one.

Maybe they are learning from their mistakes on the PO one? I know several people who got through to stage 2 on that one who weren't eligible/suitable and it could have been a waste of resources testing and interviewing them.

Also, I wonder how many "passed" the tests? I heard from PAS that there were about 1000 applications. The shortlisting process could take some time depending on how many applications they have to go through. I would say interviews would take place around mid June?

Also, I don't have the original booklet to hand - does anyone know what stage 2 involves? Is it just interviews and a verification test or will there be additional exercises?

KCC

Samphire11 wrote: »

Any idea what the max score was in each category?

I don't really but:

For both the civil service PO and EO Stage 1 the maximum score was 800 for each test.

I would say the max score for this one was also 800 for the verbal and 800 for the numerical. This would mean the qualifying standard would be 48% and 35% respectively.

However, considering the qualifying score on the SEO situational judgement test was 894, it's difficult to say guess what the max score was. For the PO, the qualifying standard for the situational judgement was 55%. On the basis of this the max score for the SEO situational judgement could have been 1600.

These are all just guesses though and usually they do tell you what the max score was when you get the results. There should be an opportunity to seek feedback in the future though so we should be able to find out eventually.

Whenever wherever

There is also the issue that it is now going to be broken up into 4 distinct competitions for the 4 different regions.

Similar to the CO competition depending where you applied for, you could be ranked 10th in one region and get a job while another applicant may be 1st in another and have to hold out.

Whenever wherever

Did anyone hear of anyone who didn't pass yet?

KCC

Whenever wherever wrote: »

There is also the issue that it is now going to be broken up into 4 distinct competitions for the 4 different regions.

Similar to the CO competition depending where you applied for, you could be ranked 10th in one region and get a job while another applicant may be 1st in another and have to hold out.

I hadn't thought of that, but I would say you are absolutely right on this.

Does anyone have any idea of the number of vacancies around the country? I know my preferred local authority is currently carrying one vacancy and will have two by year end. There will obviously be more vacancies in the Dublin region.

They are also holding internal competitions though AFAIK. A such, they will probably have a ratio for internal/external appointments.

I am so keen on this role - I would be very disappointed if I wasn't at least shortlisted. I put a huge amount of effort into my application.

Tivoli1300

KCC wrote: »

Maybe they are learning from their mistakes on the PO one? I know several people who got through to stage 2 on that one who weren't eligible/suitable and it could have been a waste of resources testing and interviewing them.

Also, I wonder how many "passed" the tests? I heard from PAS that there were about 1000 applications. The shortlisting process could take some time depending on how many applications they have to go through. I would say interviews would take place around mid June?

Also, I don't have the original booklet to hand - does anyone know what stage 2 involves? Is it just interviews and a verification test or will there be additional exercises?

From the letter, it looks like stage 2 is a shortlisting. I imagine they go through all those who reached the qualifying standard and whittle down to those with best/most relevant mgt experience.

For the PO one it seemed like huge numbers were being interviewed, 15 a day till first week in June with two panels on the go simultaneously. Don't know if all 333 who were in top percentile called but had the impression most of them were other than this who didn't have degrees or required no. years mgt experience. Applicant numbers were higher than for this one though - over 2000.

KCC

Tivoli1300 wrote: »

From the letter, it looks like stage 2 is a shortlisting. I imagine they go through all those who reached the qualifying standard and whittle down to those with best/most relevant mgt experience.

For the PO one it seemed like huge numbers were being interviewed, 15 a day till first week in June with two panels on the go simultaneously. Don't know if all 333 who were in top percentile called but had the impression most of them were other than this who didn't have degrees or required no. years mgt experience. Applicant numberwere higher than for this one though - over 2000.

Thanks, do you know then what the next stage would be, e.g. just interview and verification test, or would there be additional exercises?

You would imagine with the shortlisting that they will still need to interview a relatively large number of applicants in order to ensure they are assessing from a wide pool of talent to get the best people.

[P.S. Re: the PO campaign: it did seem that all of the top 333 were called to interview, with no screening of applications beforehand. There also seems to be a good proportion of no-shows. I think they may have realised their mistake in not shortlisting. It's a costly process after all.]

Tivoli1300

KCC wrote: »

Thanks, do you know then what the next stage would be, e.g. just interview and verification test, or would there be additional exercises?

You would imagine with the shortlisting that they will still need to interview a relatively large number of applicants in order to ensure they are assessing from a wide pool of talent to get the best people.

[P.S. Re: the PO campaign: it did seem that all of the top 333 were called to interview, with no screening of applications beforehand. There also seems to be a good proportion of no-shows. I think they may have realised their mistake in not shortlisting. It's a costly process after all.]

It was very strange, I was very surprised at the numbers being called, having said that, all those I chatted with on the day seemed very smart and well able. It is hard to imagine that more than 30 or so PO posts available as many internal competitions also in play and no agreed ratio for internal to external. The point in interviewing so many is lost on me, expensive for the state and also for applicants, especially for those who travel.

Whenever wherever

For the recent Local Authority Director of Services competition they whittled down the initial 450 applications down to 200 by a paper based shortlisting.

KCC

Tivoli1300 wrote: »

It was very strange, I was very surprised at the numbers being called, having said that, all those I chatted with on the day seemed very smart and well able. It is hard to imagine that more than 30 or so PO posts available as many internal competitions also in play and no agreed ratio for internal to external. The point in interviewing so many is lost on me, expensive for the state and also for applicants, especially for those who travel.

I would agree - the candidates I spoke to during the breaks all seemed very competent, but it is a specific type of role - it's a very senior position and I think they were looking for someone with a record of consistent experience in strategic (rather than operational) management.

Tivoli1300

KCC wrote: »

I would agree - the candidates I spoke to during the breaks all seemed very competent, but it is a specific type of role - it's a very senior position and I think they were looking for someone with a record of consistent experience in strategic (rather than operational) management.

It was tough enough especially the analysis exercise in time constrained circumstances. Hard to know how well one did. Not exactly looking forward to a similar day out! Would love to have made the PO panel but don't know if good enough on the day especially given the numbers.

KCC

Tivoli1300 wrote: »

It was tough enough especially the analysis exercise in time constrained circumstances. Hard to know how well one did. Not exactly looking forward to a similar day out! Would love to have made the PO panel but don't know if good enough on the day especially given the numbers.

I felt the pressure during the analysis exercise alright! I think I did well enough on the exercise, but I know I didn't pass the interview, which is fine. I also found the verification analysis test to be ridiculously difficult!

I've learned an awful lot from the process though and I think it was well worth my while in that regard.

I'm actually exhausted today from it all - have found it hard to move from the couch!

Tivoli1300

KCC wrote: »

I felt the pressure during the analysis exercise alright! I think I did well enough on the exercise, but I know I didn't pass the interview, which is fine. I also found the verification analysis test to be ridiculously difficult!

I've learned an awful lot from the process though and I think it was well worth my while in that regard.

I enjoyed the interview, but it was tough enough - plenty of challenging. The verification exercises I found impossible - I was wrecked tired as little sleep, big travels and end of a long session. Didn't even finish them so will look like I cheated when absolutely didn't.

KCC

Tivoli1300 wrote: »

I enjoyed the interview, but it was tough enough - plenty of challenging. The verification exercises I found impossible - I was wrecked tired as little sleep, big travels and end of a long session. Didn't even finish them so will look like I cheated when absolutely didn't.

Don't worry: I, and all the other four people I know who did the verification analysis test all felt the exact same. I spoke to the other candidates afterwards and we were all in agreement. I think the test was actually poorly designed. The stage 1 test was so easy by comparison.

I mentioned it in the written feedback and so did all the other candidates I know. If we all felt we did badly, they will have to take it into account.

I know others who have yet to do Stage 2 so it will be interesting to see what they think.

Researching

How did people get on with the SEO aptitude test... I found maths challenging... what happens next??? This is my first time with Publicjobs.ie.......

Tails142

Now you play.... the waiting game.

Researching

That soulds like a long wait..... from reading the threads it seems like everyone was called to the next stage (shortlisting)...... is 282 marks for maths a low qualifying score or average.....

KCC

I found the Maths to be hard enough. The qualifying score is low at 282 - I reckon it's equivalent to 35%.

I phoned PAS re: the shortlisting - the decisions on who to call to interview will be made in early June and the interviews will probably be held during the last week of June or the first week of July.

They also said they thought the next stage would involve an interview only.

I would be interested to know how many people reached the test qualifying standard and how many they decide to shortlist.

Researching

That info is really useful - thanks. Here's hoping I'll be called for interview......good luck to everyone.

RainyDay

Just FYI http://www.impact.ie/impact-objection-to-psychometric-testing-upheld/

Tivoli1300

'The LGMA advises that the tests will be applied to candidates for public competition.' Which is this competition surely?

KCC

Tivoli1300 wrote: »

'The LGMA advises that the tests will be applied to candidates for public competition.' Which is this competition surely?

I understand that are really two competitions within one. That is, there is a confined element to this one and it looks like all internal local authority candidates who applied will now go through to the shortlisting stage (regardless of whether or not they passed the test).

Personally I think it's ridiculous, especially at this stage. Also, it's very much the norm elsewhere in the public sector to use psychometric tests, e.g. the current AP competition. It's an objective and practical method of shortlisting and research backs it up as effective. That's why it's used so widely.

I don't know if it means anything for us external applicants really. So an external applicant who the failed the tests will not be called forward to the shortlisting stage, but all LA staff who applied will be called forward, regardless of whether they passed or failed. I think it means they will probably interviewing more people? It might also delay the decisions on who to shortlist. I also wonder if they will just interview everyone now, in case the union objects to the shortlisting process?

Tivoli1300

So the union fought to re-include those who failed literacy and numeracy aptitude tests on the basis of them being insiders. Says everything really! makes me really wonder do I really want to come back to Ireland. Plus c'est la change...

Am astonished they have this kind of jurisdiction when such testing is accepted and standard practice as you say, and completely fair. really hope the media picks this up.

So externals have a more rigorous route through now or does the whole competition have to be restarted because externals who failed
should in fairness have to be reassessed too?

And what about those in LAs who did well on the tests, don't imagine they welcome this as higher chance now they get knocked out.

It will certainly slow things down as competition designed to offload initial high numbers on basis of aptitude tests. How else can they do it now. cant remember did they make degrees or a number of years relevant experience a requirement?

KCC wrote: »

I understand that are really two competitions within one. That is, there is a confined element to this one and it looks like all internal local authority candidates who applied will now go through to the shortlisting stage (regardless of whether or not they passed the test).

Personally I think it's ridiculous, especially at this stage. Also, it's very much the norm elsewhere in the public sector to use psychometric tests, e.g. the current AP competition. It's an objective and practical method of shortlisting and research backs it up as effective. That's why it's used so widely.

I don't know if it means anything for us external applicants really. So an external applicant who the failed the tests will not be called forward to the shortlisting stage, but all LA staff who applied will be called forward, regardless of whether they passed or failed. I think it means they will probably interviewing more people? It might also delay the decisions on who to shortlist. I also wonder if they will just interview everyone now, in case the union objects to the shortlisting process?