Clerical Officer Westmeath CoCo

Johnnymc16

Hi guys,
I recently applied for a Clerical Officer position for Westmeath County Council. I received an email inviting me for an aptitude test on the 1st of September. Just wondering has anyone else applied and heard anything?

Shuttle666

Yes, I've got one for the following week.

Johnnymc16

Shuttle666 wrote: »

Yes, I've got one for the following week.

Do you know what the process is? Are you just practicing the questions they sent in the email? Thanks.

Shuttle666

I've done a few of these supervised tests lately, but will definitely have done the sample ones quite a few times before the test - it's the only prep you can do, so getting in practice beforehand helps relaxation and allowing you do your best on the day. Good luck.

everybodyhas1

Hi guys, I'm also going for the supervised test. Apart from the practice tests in the email, have you found any other ones helpful? I would really appretiate any suggestions

everybodyhas1

Hi guys, did anyone else complete supervised tests for Westmeath CoCo yet? I've done mine, just wondering how everyone else found it?

stephyhynes

Hi I have mine tomorrow evening. how was it? was it the same as the samples they sent in the email?

everybodyhas1

stephyhynes wrote: »

Hi I have mine tomorrow evening. how was it? was it the same as the samples they sent in the email?

Get just wondering if you did the test today yet?

Shuttle666

I'm Monday afternoon.

everybodyhas1

God, & there were groups before and after me all day. It's a long process.

everybodyhas1

Shuttle666 wrote: »

I'm Monday afternoon.

Best of luck😊

Shuttle666

Did mine on Monday - printed book and pencils a bit different to publicjobs.ie competitions . Time an issue on all the tests, above all the clerical checking. Expectations low!

ccro

Hi Guys,

I have applied for a clerical position up north. The closing date was 22nd August and I haven't heard anything as yet. Did you guys get invite to aptitude test by email or post?

Thanks

jules86

ccro wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I have applied for a clerical position up north. The closing date was 22nd August and I haven't heard anything as yet. Did you guys get invite to aptitude test by email or post?

Thanks

Email
Was it the donegal one? All applicants for Westmeath coco were invited for aptitude test they didn't have to submit application form, just an expression of interest, but in the Donegal and Longford coco campaigns application forms had to be submitted and I presume candidates will Be shortlisted based on these before being called to next stage

ccro

jules86 wrote: »

Email
Was it the donegal one? All applicants for Westmeath coco were invited for aptitude test they didn't have to submit application form, just an expression of interest, but in the Donegal and Longford coco campaigns application forms had to be submitted and I presume candidates will Be shortlisted based on these before being called to next stage

Yea it is for Donegal coco. Thanks very much for your reply! It's just a waiting game now. I wonder how many applicant's are in for it.

Emer29

Yeah I had mine on the 1st sept. They said it would be two weeks so we should know this week.

Did anyone apply for Longford Co Co? Haven't heard a thing since I got the acknowledgement.

everybodyhas1

Any word? Thought they'd have gotten back by now

everybodyhas1

Emer29 wrote: »

Yeah I had mine on the 1st sept. They said it would be two weeks so we should know this week.

anyone hear anything yet?

daenne

I applied for Westmeath and Dublin. Got called in for Dublin supervised tests and got my results back already. I was wondering are there separate tests for each coco.

Zipppy

daenne wrote:

I applied for Westmeath and Dublin. Got called in for Dublin supervised tests and got my results back already. I was wondering are there separate tests for each coco.

Was that for Dublin Co Co?

daenne

Zipppy wrote: »

Was that for Dublin Co Co?

Yeah, I did supervised tests for Dublin CoCo. Haven't heard anything from them about Westmeath.

Gungadin

daenne wrote: »

Yeah, I did supervised tests for Dublin CoCo. Haven't heard anything from them about Westmeath.

I think it was on Shannonside FM last week that over 1500 applied for 3 positions within Westmeath CoCo.

Zipppy

Gungadin wrote:

I think it was on Shannonside FM last week that over 1500 applied for 3 positions within Westmeath CoCo.

yep apparently that's true...

nwall210474

Hi just wondering did anyone hear from Westmeath County Council about interviews yet?

jules86

nwall210474 wrote: »

Hi just wondering did anyone hear from Westmeath County Council about interviews yet?

the end date hasn't passed for submitting the application form, I presume that will be Next stage after shortlisting the application forms.

jules86

jules86 wrote: »

the end date hasn't passed for submitting the application form, I presume that will be Next stage after shortlisting the application forms.

Interviews scheduled for 2 weeks time only 40 made it through aptitude test

doc11

Gungadin wrote: »

I think it was on Shannonside FM last week that over 1500 applied for 3 positions within Westmeath CoCo.

jules86 wrote: »

Interviews scheduled for 2 weeks time only 40 made it through aptitude test

Only 40 passed out of 1500?

jules86

doc11 wrote: »

Only 40 passed out of 1500?

There were lots of empty seats on day I sat aptitude test so I doubt everyone turned up.
I'm not sure what qualifying standard was or if it was just top 40 selected for next stage

rojerdandry

I got a letter about an interview. Anyone know if the jobs are definitely based in Mullingar or any other details? (I know I should just ring and ask....)

mandymo

Anyone get called to longford COCO assessments?

jules86

mandymo wrote: »

Anyone get called to longford COCO assessments?

Yes next thurs, Westmeath co co interview next wed too.
Stage 2 Civil service today. Hopefully I'll get one of them!

gezz36

jules86 wrote: »

Yes next thurs, Westmeath co co interview next wed too.
Stage 2 Civil service today. Hopefully I'll get one of them!

I have Longford CoCo assessment next Thurs also, stage 2 for civil service on Friday. I am waiting on TCO's for Longford, expecting a call in next couple of weeks as they are near my number on the panel.
Jules86, how did your contract go with the temps, are you still working as a temp?

jules86

gezz36 wrote: »

I have Longford CoCo assessment next Thurs also, stage 2 for civil service on Friday. I am waiting on TCO's for Longford, expecting a call in next couple of weeks as they are near my number on the panel.
Jules86, how did your contract go with the temps, are you still working as a temp?

Yes still here for another few weeks, love it - fingers crossed for permanent position

babygirl30

jules86 wrote: »

Yes next thurs, Westmeath co co interview next wed too.
Stage 2 Civil service today. Hopefully I'll get one of them!

How did you find Stage 2 ??

jules86

babygirl30 wrote: »

How did you find Stage 2 ??

Ok I think hard to know when it's multiple choice, got all answered in time, 3 mins to spare on numerical and 1 in verbal.
We should have results in few weeks so will know then!

babygirl30

jules86 wrote: »

Ok I think hard to know when it's multiple choice, got all answered in time, 3 mins to spare on numerical and 1 in verbal.
We should have results in few weeks so will know then!

Best of Luck, hopefully one of them comes good for you.

I also have Longford CoCo assessment this week, it'll be a change from verbal and numerical at least.

Zipppy

I gather the DCC results are out....anyone hear ?

DivaDonegal

I applied for Donegal CoCo and I didn't hear anything?......

Creol1

Zipppy wrote: »

I gather the DCC results are out....anyone hear ?

They weren't out at the time of your post actually, but they are now. A shortlist will be drawn up from those who met the qualifying standard in the exam, and the shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. I'm wondering whether the interview will be a formality as it more-or-less is for COs in the Civil Service.

rojerdandry

Fell at the third hurdle! Didn't get past interview stage for Westmeath Coco Clerical Officer. I had an inkling that I was being crucified during it from the look of one person in particular and it seems I was right... To be honest, I recognised the type from the second they opened their mouth... I'm sure I'll be accused of being a cry-baby, but one of the interviewers said three or four things to me that had no place in that interview setting. In my opinion the interview seemed to run along the lines of one for an internal promotion, rather than for an entry level position. I was marked down severely on my knowledge of local government. I can mostly understand that and make no bones about it, but in the interview it appeared to me that it was suggested that I should have spoken to current members of Westmeath Coco in preparation. Considering the ominous warnings about lobbying in the application, I found this a bit inconsistent. With there being a seemingly unending number of applicants who would love to be a CO for Westmeath Coco, I accept that they can be very choosy. However, I wouldn't be surprised if these places go to people who've already done temporary placements not a million miles away from Mullingar.

jules86

rojerdandry wrote: »

Fell at the third hurdle! Didn't get past interview stage for Westmeath Coco Clerical Officer. I had an inkling that I was being crucified during it from the look of one person in particular and it seems I was right... To be honest, I recognised the type from the second they opened their mouth... I'm sure I'll be accused of being a cry-baby, but one of the interviewers said three or four things to me that had no place in that interview setting. In my opinion the interview seemed to run along the lines of one for an internal promotion, rather than for an entry level position. I was marked down severely on my knowledge of local government. I can mostly understand that and make no bones about it, but in the interview it appeared to me that it was suggested that I should have spoken to current members of Westmeath Coco in preparation. Considering the ominous warnings about lobbying in the application, I found this a bit inconsistent. With there being a seemingly unending number of applicants who would love to be a CO for Westmeath Coco, I accept that they can be very choosy. However, I wouldn't be surprised if these places go to people who've already done temporary placements not a million miles away from Mullingar.

Ha! Good to know I wasn't the only one! Lol

rojerdandry

jules86 wrote: »

Ha! Good to know I wasn't the only one! Lol

Well all we can do is keep on truckin'. If you give up the 2nd or 3rd time then you'll never see how you would've aced the 4th!

Lilybuds

Hi I had my interview for Westmeath coco and didn't feel it went v well.... like that a lot of coco questions which I felt I struggled to answer....surprisingly I got placed on the panel...it might not get me a job but gave me back confidence after being turned down on a previous interview elsewhere....keep trying....

rojerdandry

Lilybuds wrote: »

Hi I had my interview for Westmeath coco and didn't feel it went v well.... like that a lot of coco questions which I felt I struggled to answer....surprisingly I got placed on the panel...it might not get me a job but gave me back confidence after being turned down on a previous interview elsewhere....keep trying....

Congratulations! Yup it's all experience anyway.. I'd say you have a good chance of a job if you're patient. I wouldn't give up on other job searches while you wait though - something even better might turn up!

Lilybuds

Thank you ....no definitely will keep searching... waiting on results of stage 2 of clerical officer for my chosen area did it 2 weeks ago...

ccro

DivaDonegal wrote: »

I applied for Donegal CoCo and I didn't hear anything?......

Has anyone else heard back from Donegal one?

jules86

ccro wrote: »

Has anyone else heard back from Donegal one?

I heard a month ago that they weren't going to be doing anything for awhile

doc11

jules86 wrote: »

I heard a month ago that they weren't going to be doing anything for awhile

they should be using PAS for these appointments, Council are just making jobs for themselves and no one else.

VulcanRaving

rojerdandry wrote: »

Fell at the third hurdle! Didn't get past interview stage for Westmeath Coco Clerical Officer. I had an inkling that I was being crucified during it from the look of one person in particular and it seems I was right... To be honest, I recognised the type from the second they opened their mouth... I'm sure I'll be accused of being a cry-baby, but one of the interviewers said three or four things to me that had no place in that interview setting. In my opinion the interview seemed to run along the lines of one for an internal promotion, rather than for an entry level position. I was marked down severely on my knowledge of local government. I can mostly understand that and make no bones about it, but in the interview it appeared to me that it was suggested that I should have spoken to current members of Westmeath Coco in preparation. Considering the ominous warnings about lobbying in the application, I found this a bit inconsistent. With there being a seemingly unending number of applicants who would love to be a CO for Westmeath Coco, I accept that they can be very choosy. However, I wouldn't be surprised if these places go to people who've already done temporary placements not a million miles away from Mullingar.

This.
I'm glad I wasn't the only person that found these interviews to be rather off.
I understand interviews are meant to ruthlessly whittle down candidates but based on my current salary, I am overqualified for this job but was given very little opportunity to sell myself.
Some of the questions really felt like they were tailored for people who worked temporary posts before. I'm not sure how else they expect candidates to prepare for the interview apart from what is available online or know exactly what the role entails apart from what is on the job description.
I fell down in areas I am normally strong in such as teamwork. It would have been nice to have known what the interview was marked on or actually given questions where you can sell yourself on these topics rather than feeling the need to milk marks by being able to quote what is on the council website.
I landed well into the teens on the panel so I am not expecting to be offered anything by this time next year.

rojerdandry

At least you are still on the panel! Yes it was a strange process overall. Hard to understand why they would undertake a stone-age aptitude done solely in Westmeath in the first place. Have they got something against PAS? I noticed another post about this, which was presumably made by a current employee. They said that a candidate should know the following about the County Council: 1. the budget 2. What they spend it on 3. Source of money 4. Large projects ongoing in the county 5. Numbers on housing list 6. Cost of a planning application 7. Contentious issues in County (Presumably found out by googling local papers) and that a candidate should contact a current senior council employee. I recall there being a single page devoted to the warning that 'Canvassing will disqualify', so I'm a little surprised about that. I know it shows an interest, but most businesses would not be amenable to job-seekers calling up before an interview to ask for details of all the right answers...

VulcanRaving wrote: »

This.
I'm glad I wasn't the only person that found these interviews to be rather off.
I understand interviews are meant to ruthlessly whittle down candidates but based on my current salary, I am overqualified for this job but was given very little opportunity to sell myself.
Some of the questions really felt like they were tailored for people who worked temporary posts before. I'm not sure how else they expect candidates to prepare for the interview apart from what is available online or know exactly what the role entails apart from what is on the job description.
I fell down in areas I am normally strong in such as teamwork. It would have been nice to have known what the interview was marked on or actually given questions where you can sell yourself on these topics rather than feeling the need to milk marks by being able to quote what is on the council website.
I landed well into the teens on the panel so I am not expecting to be offered anything by this time next year.

Ireland2015

How was the test was the numerical tough?