Knowing someone???

gifted

Does knowing someone who has a bit of pull make a difference when applying for a job in the public service? Or is it all above board now? Apologies if posting in the wrong place

winston82

gifted wrote: »

Does knowing someone who has a bit of pull make a difference when applying for a job in the public service? Or is it all above board now? Apologies if posting in the wrong place

Probably.

Rackstar

gifted wrote: »

Does knowing someone who has a bit of pull make a difference when applying for a job in the public service? Or is it all above board now? Apologies if posting in the wrong place

If they have pull, they have pull.

Slydice

The Public Service is huge so it probably depends:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_service_of_the_Republic_of_Ireland

The CPSA might make interesting reading for ya: http://www.cpsa.ie/en/

The latest Audit they did was of Recruitment and Selection Policies and Practices within An Garda Síochána:
http://www.cpsa.ie/en/publications/audits-of-recruitment-and-selection-activity/an-garda-s%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na/

"It wrote to a sample of 137 candidates for the Garda to Sergeant and Sergeant to Inspector promotions processes and invited them to participate in a survey" and "61 returned completed forms":
http://www.cpsa.ie/en/Publications/Audits-of-Recruitment-and-Selection-Activity/An-Garda-S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na/Survey-Findings.html

A large number of respondents included remarks indicating that they believed that the processes are characterised by nepotism, cronyism and favouritism.

Moocifer

Definitely all above board in the Civil Service. Doesn't matter who the hell you know if you don't pass all the required tests and interviews no way are you getting in.

JohnMearsheimer

Moocifer wrote: »

Definitely all above board in the Civil Service. Doesn't matter who the hell you know if you don't pass all the required tests and interviews no way are you getting in.

Most definitely true of the civil service. My office would love to make some of our temporary staff permanent but can't because they've failed elements of the permanent selection criteria.

I think there's more scope for it in some areas of the public service. Teaching positions in schools come to mind.

Steve

Sorry, I had a long and interesting reply typed out but then realised I misread the OP as "Does knowing someone who has a pit bull"

It probably does in some locations..

Monife

There's clauses in candidate information booklets now that say if a candidate is found canvassing they will be disqualified.

darragh o meara

It would appear in some places that knowing someone does indeed help. In past places Ive worked, the employee referral scheme would help a bit over a regular applicant ( And in turn net the referrer a few quid ) But if your not the right person for the job, it probably won't happen.

The_Conductor

For certain areas of the Public Sector- having someone canvas on your behalf (and it doesn't matter who they are)- is an automatic disqualifying factor.

Things are very different from where they were 20 years ago..........

Mrs OBumble

On the other hand, I've heard of public sector appointments where no one was appointed because the right person didn't apply.

Up-front canvassing is almost never a good idea (except maybe for private sector sales jobs).

But discreet enquirers can almost always yield fruitful information about whether to pursue certain opportunities, or what topics to focus on in at interview, etc.



FWIW, in the height of the recession, I did a stint as a temporary clerical officer in a government agency. There were seven of us selected to work as TCOs in that agency that summer. Two of the seven were children of managers working in the office. It's really quite remarkable how they managed to get in to that very agency, when "pull" counted for nothing. And if you believe it didn't help, I have a bridge for sale ...

B.A._Baracus

Of course it's about who you know Not just in the public service but every job.
Personally I like to think "knowing someone" falls under two types. The first is someone using whatever pull or clout they have to pull you into a job or promotion. That's like the full on type.


Second is getting a referral of sorts or putting someone wide. Such as someone works in a job and lets you know there are new jobs going.
But in any case who you know helps so so much.

gifted

Thanks everyone,

I have an interview tomorrow and I have my suspicions about another candidate who is great friends with a manager. Found out today that the manager is on the panel of three doing the interviews. Anyway, I'll give it my best shot and see what happens.

gifted

Well, I got my answer. Managers friend got the job. Somethings never change.

Boskowski

I understand your frustration but while it is understandable in your situation to think you never had a chance - which would be a natural reaction for all of us - the other guy might have gotten the job anyway. Just because you didn't get it doesn't mean there was foul play at work. Do you think you should have gotten the job ahead of the other person? Do you think you nailed the interview?

Hope you have better luck next time, take care.

Edit: Keep going for jobs there. If you lost out on buddy grounds they might remember that the next time and give you an edge?

ED E

gifted wrote: »

Well, I got my answer. Managers friend got the job. Somethings never change.

Maybe they were just better than you...no ofc it was nepotism.

eeguy

One of the most important points of the interview is finding if the candidate will work well with the current team.

If he's a friend,then he's already ticked that box.