Donegal county council - clerical officer vacancy

damienf1

Hi everyone was wondering if anyone applied for the clerical officer in County council... haven't heard anything back thanks

buckfasterer

damienf1 wrote: »

Hi everyone was wondering if anyone applied for the clerical officer in County council... haven't heard anything back thanks

Was that the job that was advertised a few months ago? If so then I heard nothing either. Disgraceful from them that they couldn't even send an acknowledgement of the application to be honest. Not hard to stick all addresses in one blast email.

venusdoom

Hiya, I've heard nothing back from the Co. Council. Have you's been applying to many clerical jobs in the county? I have and have had no luck. I'm really disheartened with it all.

muffler

I've amended the thread title just for clarity

buckfasterer

venusdoom wrote: »

Hiya, I've heard nothing back from the Co. Council. Have you's been applying to many clerical jobs in the county? I have and have had no luck. I'm really disheartened with it all.

Call me cynical, but you probably need to know someone already in the council to be in with a chance. It's the lack of response from them that's the worst part of all.

venusdoom

And I don't know anybody! I know, that's the thing, the lack of response. There definately should have been some movement by now.

xDisneyDivax

I got an acknowledge of receipt email.... We may not hear anything until Spring- they always take their time- my other half applied for general operative and I think he waited 8-9 months, if not more, to be told that he wasn't successful.

davydoc

Yeah, when I applied I got a receipt to say they got my application form - but they usually take their time going through these things....

derossi

Interviews commencing in the next few weeks. They are interviewing over a thousand but there will be a number of panels.

xDisneyDivax

derossi wrote: »

Interviews commencing in the next few weeks. They are interviewing over a thousand but there will be a number of panels.

Did someone get in touch with you regarding your application?
Wow over a thousand is a LOT!! How will a number of panels work?

venusdoom

Did anyone get any word yet? I've heard from someone working for coco there's very little positions to be filled and temps already in the co council will be given preference. Don't know how true that is.. Still waiting myself to hear something from them.

buckfasterer

venusdoom wrote: »

Did anyone get any word yet? I've heard from someone working for coco there's very little positions to be filled and temps already in the co council will be given preference. Don't know how true that is.. Still waiting myself to hear something from them.

Not a peep or even a thank you for the application. You'd think with the nonsense of 3 or 4 application forms being sent in, they could muster together a burst email saying thank you and it had been received. Joke.

venusdoom

buckfasterer wrote: »

Not a peep or even a thank you for the application. You'd think with the nonsense of 3 or 4 application forms being sent in, they could muster together a burst email saying thank you and it had been received. Joke.

I just checked my emails to be sure but I did receive an email from 'Vacancies' acknowledging they received my application via email. I emailed and also posted 3 copies as they requested. That was mid August. Nothing since.

ccro

Hey everyone,

I just got a letter today from Donegal CoCo to say I have an interview in December,a preliminary interview.
So the prep begins!

xDisneyDivax

ccro wrote: »

Hey everyone,

I just got a letter today from Donegal CoCo to say I have an interview in December,a preliminary interview.
So the prep begins!

Oh good to see that someone heard something from the council! Good luck! :DNo doubt rest of us will checking our post now!ha

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

Oh good to see that someone heard something from the council! Good luck! :DNo doubt rest of us will checking our post now!ha

Hopefully you and others will hear shortly too.
I'm assuming the preliminary interview is competency based and the second interview would be based on specific questions about what the council does, departments, what the money is spent on etc
Would that be right? I'm panicking now!!!

venusdoom

ccro wrote: »

Hopefully you and others will hear shortly too.
I'm assuming the preliminary interview is competency based and the second interview would be based on specific questions about what the council does, departments, what the money is spent on etc
Would that be right? I'm panicking now!!!

Thanks for letting us know there's some progress being made. I haven't got a letter as yet anyway. I would assume same as you about the interviews. First one would be more general. Best of luck! Where are the interviews taking place?

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

Oh good to see that someone heard something from the council! Good luck! :DNo doubt rest of us will checking our post now!ha

Thanks very much.
My interview is in Carndonagh County Council Office.

Maldesu

My friend got a respond today too. Interview is in Letterkenny. 20 mins for the interview, 2 people on a panel

xDisneyDivax

I got a letter yesterday as well! My interview is in LK public services centre on 14th Dec! The list of competencies is in the information booklet which is available on here
http://www.donegalcoco.ie/media/donegalcountyc/humanresources/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Information%20Booklet.pdf

Just in case you didn't see it yet!

venusdoom

I got one this morning. Haven't seen it yet but will look at that booklet you posted now. Thanks

buckfasterer

Anyone been in this week for their interview?

ashydol

I was in yesterday, was really disappointed with the pair that interviewed me. Neither had even looked at my CV, and cut me off mid answer a few times.

buckfasterer

ashydol wrote: »

I was in yesterday, was really disappointed with the pair that interviewed me. Neither had even looked at my CV, and cut me off mid answer a few times.

Whatever type of stuff was being asked? Was it just a paper exercise for them do you think? I'm in tomorrow, wouldn't mind knowing if it's worth busting my hole to impress them or not.

ashydol

buckfasterer wrote: »

Whatever type of stuff was being asked? Was it just a paper exercise for them do you think? I'm in tomorrow, wouldn't mind knowing if it's worth busting my hole to impress them or not.

They really focused on experience and wanting examples of situations that you used your initiative, team work, individual work ability. Difficulties in working as a team. They don't want you to be too confident but not too shy either.

I was asked what the budget for 2017 was for dcc and how many Councillors were in it.
Also know what services dcc provide, roads, housing etc.
Hope it goes better for you. Where are you being interviewed? I was Donegal Town.

venusdoom

I felt the very same as above poster. Wasn't given any typical interview questions or great questions where I could show my strengths. Not even a "tell me about yourself". Was basic but there was questions on team work and customer service. I came out thinking I didn't do great or highlight my suitability for the job

xDisneyDivax

Anyone else get their interview done yet? I have mine after lunch today!

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

Anyone else get their interview done yet? I have mine after lunch today!

Ho,

I have my interview before lunch today! Nerves are starting to kick in now!

xDisneyDivax

ccro wrote: »

Ho,

I have my interview before lunch today! Nerves are starting to kick in now!

Good luck! Where is your interview?

Maldesu

My friend had theirs yesterday. Two nice people asking the questions, man and woman. Asked a bit about what the council does, what IT skills they had, a few examples of dealing with teams/independent work/problem customers. Apparently 1400 people applies, 1100 are called for interview and it has to be narrowed down to 100. Interviews seem to be in alphabetic order too. This was in LK btw.

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

Good luck! Where is your interview?

Mine is in Carndonagh and yours?

xDisneyDivax

Maldesu wrote: »

My friend had theirs yesterday. Two nice people asking the questions, man and woman. Asked a bit about what the council does, what IT skills they had, a few examples of dealing with teams/independent work/problem customers. Apparently 1400 people applies, 1100 are called for interview and it has to be narrowed down to 100. Interviews seem to be in alphabetic order too. This was in LK btw.

1,100 for interview?? :eek:

xDisneyDivax

ccro wrote: »

Mine is in Carndonagh and yours?

Mine is in Letterkenny

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

Mine is in Letterkenny

Well best of luck! We can only do our best! ��

echo beach

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

1,100 for interview?? :eek:

Sounds incredible but that is the figure I heard too. I can't imagine any private sector employer conducting that many interviews. Have they never heard of shortlisting?

xDisneyDivax

echo beach wrote: »

Sounds incredible but that is the figure I heard too. I can't imagine any private sector employer conducting that many interviews. Have they never heard of shortlisting?

No idea- the panel I had yesterday said it will be very difficult for them to narrow it down and that if you're successful you'll be invited to another interview which will be longer.....

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

No idea- the panel I had yesterday said it will be very difficult for them to narrow it down and that if you're successful you'll be invited to another interview which will be longer.....

Hi,

I was told the same. if the preliminary interview was competency based questions and specific questions about the council, what could the second interview be based on???

xDisneyDivax

ccro wrote: »

Hi,

I was told the same. if the preliminary interview was competency based questions and specific questions about the council, what could the second interview be based on???

I wasn't asked about all of competencies so I thought that perhaps they will ask about rest of competencies.

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

I wasn't asked about all of competencies so I thought that perhaps they will ask about rest of competencies.

Yea that's true. Well they said we should know next week. So here's hoping we get called for a second interview.

xDisneyDivax

ccro wrote: »

Yea that's true. Well they said we should know next week. So here's hoping we get called for a second interview.

Oh I was told that we would know after Christmas so it is next week rather than after Christmas!:D Fingers crossed even though it would mean a possibility of waiting two years on the panel

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

Oh I was told that we would know after Christmas so it is next week rather than after Christmas!:D Fingers crossed even though it would mean a possibility of waiting two years on the panel

Yea he said HR would notify us next week, but considering the closing date was in August and they are just getting around to interviews now....next week could be February/March!
He said the better you do in the interview the higher up in the panel you will be placed and Donegal co co hasn't gone through a recruitment process like this in over 5 years so he said positions are available.

xDisneyDivax

ccro wrote: »

Yea he said HR would notify us next week, but considering the closing date was in August and they are just getting around to interviews now....next week could be February/March!
He said the better you do in the interview the higher up in the panel you will be placed and Donegal co co hasn't gone through a recruitment process like this in over 5 years so he said positions are available.

That sounds promising! Fingers crossed we did excellent in interviews then! Did you apply for the competition with PAS as well?

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

That sounds promising! Fingers crossed we did excellent in interviews then! Did you apply for the competition with PAS as well?

No just this application. I hope yes we did excellent so fingers and toes crossed! If/when I hear anything I will post on here.

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

That sounds promising! Fingers crossed we did excellent in interviews then! Did you apply for the competition with PAS as well?

Hey,

Have you heard anything yet since your interview?

xDisneyDivax

ccro wrote: »

Hey,

Have you heard anything yet since your interview?

Nope nothing yet, expected them to take their time so I'm not surprised especially when they invited over 1,000 to interviews! Hopefully we will hear from them soon though

ccro

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

Nope nothing yet, expected them to take their time so I'm not surprised especially when they invited over 1,000 to interviews! Hopefully we will hear from them soon though

Hey, I got a letter today to say I'm through to the final interview. Interviews will be in February and a letter will follow with date.
Have you heard yet?

bunawillanlad

Strange marking system. Low points for commitment and initiative.... What the heck is that. Also let down on is/financial/accounts skills..... I wasn't asked anything about that. Have third level qualifications in computers and business. 6 points off the qualifying mark. Joke

xDisneyDivax

ccro wrote: »

Hey, I got a letter today to say I'm through to the final interview. Interviews will be in February and a letter will follow with date.
Have you heard yet?

Oohh I'm dying to know whether I got through or not now! Can't check as I'm at work and hubby is away! Well done you! Hope you get through the final interview and get on the panel!:D

xDisneyDivax

bunawillanlad wrote: »

Strange marking system. Low points for commitment and initiative.... What the heck is that. Also let down on is/financial/accounts skills..... I wasn't asked anything about that. Have third level qualifications in computers and business. 6 points off the qualifying mark. Joke

They must have looked at application forms too then? Although I was asked what accounting work I did and if I know the procedures in handling cash etc.... I'm sorry that is balls

bunawillanlad

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

They must have looked at application forms too then? Although I was asked what accounting work I did and if I know the procedures in handling cash etc.... I'm sorry that is balls

No all based on the interview. I did inform them that I personally ran an event that generated approximately €150k for 3 years, does that not show initiative, commitment and financial skills 😀
Interviewer notes said outstanding candidate 😕

xDisneyDivax

bunawillanlad wrote: »

No all based on the interview. I did inform them that I personally ran an event that generated approximately €150k for 3 years, does that not show initiative, commitment and financial skills 😀
Interviewer notes said outstanding candidate 😕

That is pretty strange! Perhaps it will be worth you emailing them and ask? No harm