Immigration Control Officer - Dublin Airport

py2006

sumpector wrote: »

Hope it went well for you anyway. Were the tests of a similar level to the practice tests linked in the booklet?

Thanks. I found the Verbal one slightly easier, Checking one on a par but the numerical slightly trickier. prob more to do with the time than anything else.

You get to do a practice question before each one but they are the same as ones they sent us.

Chopper12

I found the numerical test pretty tough to, the other two were ok. I will be lucky to pass that one.

I thought I had downloaded the information booklet but cannot find it now. I don't suppose any competent colleagues have saved it and could send it on?

I have looked everywhere I cannot find it online.

py2006

Chopper12 wrote: »

I found the numerical test pretty tough to, the other two were ok. I will be lucky to pass that one.

I thought I had downloaded the information booklet but cannot find it now. I don't suppose any competent colleagues have saved it and could send it on?

I have looked everywhere I cannot find it online.

https://www.publicjobs.ie/publicjobs/advice/test/prepare.htm

Scroll down to find it

kravmaga

I'm in tomorrow morning for the 3 tests.

So the Numerical/maths is the most tricky from what people are saying here.

I don't expect to finish all the questions as the timeline is very tight.

Anybody know what the overall pass rate is/ cut off

sumpector

Had the test earlier today and I thought the numerical could have went smoother, that time limit really caught up with me. Hopefully we just have to pass the numerical and the other two tests decide the order of merit.

applejunkie

Was also in today. Found the numerical tricky enough . The other two were fine . Fingers crossed

kravmaga

sumpector wrote: »

Had the test earlier today and I thought the numerical could have went smoother, that time limit really caught up with me. Hopefully we just have to pass the numerical and the other two tests decide the order of merit.

I was told by a friend in the civil service that you would deffo have to pass the numerical test, as you said its order of merit on the other two tests

kravmaga

applejunkie wrote: »

Was also in today. Found the numerical tricky enough . The other two were fine . Fingers crossed

Do they supply calculators or can you bring your own in with you

RozDoyle

They supply pretty basic, solar power typed calculators.

electronic

Does anyone have any details on a typical working day in the position ? Is your whole day spent in the passport control box checking passports or are there other duties that you due aswell?

py2006

Starting to get worried now about the numerical :-(

Shame as I feel I did quite well in the other two

applejunkie

kravmaga wrote: »

I was told by a friend in the civil service that you would deffo have to pass the numerical test, as you said its order of merit on the other two tests

You definitely have to pass all 3 , the person that was supervising the tests today said it , they said if you dont pass all 3 you will not be called to interview

Turtyturd

electronic wrote: »

Does anyone have any details on a typical working day in the position ? Is your whole day spent in the passport control box checking passports or are there other duties that you due aswell?

Flights stop for certain hours during the night (I think) and this has night shifts so I reckon your time would be split between frontline duties and admin work associated with the position. Think there was also a mention of interviewing passengers as one of the duties.

To anyone who did the tests already, were there many people in the session?

py2006

applejunkie wrote: »

You definitely have to pass all 3 , the person that was supervising the tests today said it , they said if you dont pass all 3 you will not be called to interview

Where does the numerical side of things come into the position? I can understand the other two.

I guess it displays a reasonable amount of intelligence. Which I think I kinda have. But I do fear I may have fecked it up.

Precious flower

I have the test on Friday but now I am wondering if it is even worth it as I have to travel a great distance and I know the maths will be a struggle.

I applied for it mainly because I want to get into the area of human rights and I thought this would give me a good grasp of immigration law. However my family were saying that most likely I would just be checking documents and any cases would be referred to someone higher up so that I wouldn't get a whole lot of useful experience and that does mainly seem to be the duties in the advertisement.

Not to mention having to factor in working in Dublin and the costs of that alone.

Not really sure I should go for it now....:/

The Veteran

electronic wrote: »

Does anyone have any details on a typical working day in the position ? Is your whole day spent in the passport control box checking passports or are there other duties that you due aswell?

The job is varied. Don't be fooled by the "sitting in a box checking passports" image. You will deal with all walks of life and every type of human being. You will learn how to investigate; how to make legally robust decisions; be an ambassador for Ireland; engage with similar services in Ireland and abroad; conduct investigative interviews; carry out searches of luggage and people and engage in various "projects". The "checking passports" but is the most visible part of the job but that of itself is complex and requires very focused concentration.

Heart Break Kid

Precious flower wrote: »

I thought this would give me a good grasp of immigration law. However my family were saying that most likely I would just be checking documents and any cases would be referred to someone higher up so that I wouldn't get a whole lot of useful experience and that does mainly seem to be the duties in the advertisement.

Well you can just study immigration law if you want and then volunteer somewhere, most civil service jobs at entry level are fairly routine, repetitive and boring. It would be document checking, visa checking, interviews to ensure people are legally allowed to enter. theres also handing people refusal notices and sending them back. I know people say its never like tv but from my sources it is very similar to "Border Security: Australia's" type of thing.


In fairness, if your not doing anything on the day, you might as well, see how far you get, try to get to the interview stage and then ask some questions.

You should also easily find accommodation around swords that isnt too expensive

Shane Fitz

How many of you guys doing this are coming from other parts of the public/civil service?
How do the tests compare to what you do in your current job?

Amanda.ie

AFAIK they are only interested in new recruits, they wont take serving public/civil servants as its cheaper to hire new people. I see you have to stay four years before you can transfer, it was two years last time.

Shane Fitz

Amanda.ie wrote: »

AFAIK they are only interested in new recruits, they wont take serving public/civil servants as its cheaper to hire new people. I see you have to stay four years before you can transfer, it was two years last time.

Not that I disbelieve you but in the literature it say a different payback MAY be applicable if you've existing service. Why say that but then actively exclude

Heart Break Kid

Amanda.ie wrote: »

AFAIK they are only interested in new recruits, they wont take serving public/civil servants as its cheaper to hire new people. I see you have to stay four years before you can transfer, it was two years last time.

Em I know a few serving civil service members that are applying.

Amanda.ie

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Em I know a few serving civil service members that are applying.

I know a few who applied last time and got nowhere, they wont take people on high grades when they can recruit for half the pay.

Amanda.ie

Shane Fitz wrote: »

Not that I disbelieve you but in the literature it say a different payback MAY be applicable if you've existing service. Why say that but then actively exclude

Last time it was a separate one for garda civilians so it would be a promotion and everyone in that area would be at the top of the scale. You would be surprised to know not many garda civilians got offered the job. They took on new recruits instead. The current role or experience did not come into it.

Shane Fitz

Garda civilians?

Heart Break Kid

Amanda.ie wrote: »

I know a few who applied last time and got nowhere, they wont take people on high grades when they can recruit for half the pay.

Well I know serving CO's that applied last time and got it, and I know others that also applied. The likes of HEOs, EOs/AOs probably won't apply, seems more of a Co role at best.

Amanda.ie

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Well I know serving CO's that applied last time and got it, and I know others that also applied. The likes of HEOs, EOs/AOs probably won't apply, seems more of a Co role at best.

Yes with the option of returning to your original position after six months if they didnt like it which a good few have done I think.
Serving CO's on low grades ? It is a CO role is it not?

TallGlass

Guys, what time is the first test in the morning at? The reason is I plan on going in tomorrow as I can't make the afternoon slot. Is it 8:30?

HK2016

Can you use your own calculator or do you have to use the one they give you?

py2006

HK2016 wrote: »

Can you use your own calculator or do you have to use the one they give you?

I don't think so. They specifically say to only bring into the test room your photo and the slip of paper they hand you on registration. Your belongings are left in a locked room.

TallGlass

Anyone interested first test is 8:45. Numerical side of thing where very tuff. Calculator is supplied to you, your not allowed your own.

All in all not too confident I got into the next stage to be honest.

Adds to the experience for next time.

Turtyturd

With 21 questions you are probably looking at getting 8 right to reach the cut off, so I think people are being very pessimistic about their chances. Surely the questions couldn't have been that much more difficult than the sample tests?

gelsthe

I found it quite difficult to be honest. August by email before you hear anything. Best of luck to all

py2006

Turtyturd wrote: »

With 21 questions you are probably looking at getting 8 right to reach the cut off, so I think people are being very pessimistic about their chances. Surely the questions couldn't have been that much more difficult than the sample tests?

I found some of the numeric slightly more tricky and others not too bad.

kravmaga

Just completed the tests this morning at 08:45am.

I found the Numerical/Maths test more difficult than the sample online tests, a lot of information to process so you really need to focus, clock ticking away puts the pressure on.

I felt I did okay on the Verbal Interpretation test and the Checking information checklist test.

They supply the calculator and your personal effects locked in a room , results in your inbox in August.

I reckon 50 in the room this morning, 2 x times a day over 5 days= 500 candidates tested this week

Only 80 positions available , so work out how many get called for interview.

Answer

A- Strongly Agree
B- Disagree
C- Cannot say

Hehe:D

py2006

kravmaga wrote: »

I reckon 50 in the room this morning, 2 x times a day over 5 days= 500 candidates tested this week

Only 80 positions available , so work out how many get called for interview.

Best of Luck!

I think there was only about 30 at my session. Mine was at 12:15 and when we came out there was another group waiting. So it looks like it may be 3 sessions a day?

Is that defo about the number of positions available?

cw67irl

Are these sessions not covering the prison clerical positions aswell?

In that case the odds for each job are better

py2006

I noticed that the positions were taken up in mid Sept last year so perhaps it will be something similar this year aswell. Results out in August then may be a week or two of interviews then places offered early Sept.

italodisco

Amanda.ie wrote: »

AFAIK they are only interested in new recruits, they wont take serving public/civil servants as its cheaper to hire new people. I see you have to stay four years before you can transfer, it was two years last time.

A moronic comment, don't post such nonsense and ruin people's hopes when you have absolutely NO idea what you are on about.

I am a public servant and I can guarantee the rest of the posters here that this guys comment is tripe.

A large portion of my colleagues have transfered or jumped ship over the last two years and have been paid up to their current point on scale.

Folks there will always be doom merchants trying to ruin things for others.

Take it from me, it's based on how well you do in testing and interviews.

kravmaga

applejunkie wrote: »

You definitely have to pass all 3 , the person that was supervising the tests today said it , they said if you dont pass all 3 you will not be called to interview

Thanks, I think that probably rules me out so...i felt good about 2/3 not 3/3.

Sure just have to wait for the results in August.

Best of luck to everybody..

kravmaga

py2006 wrote: »

Best of Luck!

I think there was only about 30 at my session. Mine was at 12:15 and when we came out there was another group waiting. So it looks like it may be 3 sessions a day?

Is that defo about the number of positions available?

Just 2 sessions a day, Morning and Afternoon.

If you scroll back on this thread Heart Break Kid mentions 70/80 positions, panel of 100/150 and they will draw from that as they need.

applejunkie

kravmaga wrote: »

Thanks, I think that probably rules me out so...i felt good about 2/3 not 3/3.

Sure just have to wait for the results in August.

Best of luck to everybody..

Im in the same boat as you , not feeling anyway confident about the numerical but was happy with the other two . Only time will tell...........

py2006

kravmaga wrote: »

Just 2 sessions a day, Morning and Afternoon.

Well there was a group before and after me but maybe they were for the prison officer one?

Heart Break Kid

kravmaga wrote: »

I reckon 50 in the room this morning, 2 x times a day over 5 days= 500 candidates tested this week

Only 80 positions available , so work out how many get called for interview.

Answer

Rumours from source that only 1500 people internal and external people applied which going by sources of roughly hiring 75 people would mean theres a 5.3% shot for any individual to land a spot.

This shots obviously improves by cutting people that just gave up before doing the test or changed their mind about shift work and unsocialable hours.

Id say around 300 interviews or less

italodisco

And folks just to give you some hope, a guy I work with just told me about how the test went for him, he did it two days ago.
He said that it wasn't too bad, he did foundation math in his leaving cert and got a C in it but said he managed to get roughly 80% of the numerical done AND is confident that he did well.

So don't give up hope yet, I am also a maths disaster but he has sure boosted my lacking confidence!!

Good luck folks!

Avada

Amanda.ie wrote: »

I know a few who applied last time and got nowhere, they wont take people on high grades when they can recruit for half the pay.

Immigration Officer is a CO grade, of course they're not going to take an AP or the likes to do it!

They're recruiting externally as they didn't get the uptake internally last time they recruited. The majority of the current staff out there were recruited externally (last CO competition).

cw67irl

31 in yesterdays 3.30 session. Session just before that was pretty full aswell. Are these tests for immigration and prison service or just immigration? The prison service was mentioned in the intro.

Tests went ok, I took too much time on some of the maths didnt get the last 2 questions answered. Verbal was grand loads of time. Error Checking was good got to the second last page of questions.

How did everyone else get on?

OJ Simple

Sincere thanks to everybody who posted feedback on this topic .I have my slot on Monday ...Kind of nervous about it as I would love to be one of the lucky ones and go on to the next stage .Only one thing standing in the way ,these bloody tests.
I can see why they use this method when dealing with large numbers of applicants,but I would love the chance of an interview as I feel I would be a good fit for the Job .But Hey I guess everybody that has applied feels the same .
I did ok on the sample tests so that should give me some hope
But thanks again to all who posted ,the feedback is helpful.

OJ Simple

Can Anybody who has been through these tests recommend any websites that might have more Similar sample questions to use as preparation.

Thanks in advance ............

Turtyturd

kravmaga wrote: »

Just completed the tests this morning at 08:45am.

I found the Numerical/Maths test more difficult than the sample online tests, a lot of information to process so you really need to focus, clock ticking away puts the pressure on.

I felt I did okay on the Verbal Interpretation test and the Checking information checklist test.

They supply the calculator...

Just on this, did they supply you with pen and paper for calculations or is everything online?

py2006

Turtyturd wrote: »

Just on this, did they supply you with pen and paper for calculations or is everything online?

Yes they provide you with a pen and paper for the rough work calculations you may wish to do for the numerical. But it is handed up afterwards.