Staff Officer Co Co Shortlisted Interview

Mimojo

I have been shortlisted for an interview for Staff Officer in a County Council. I would absolutely love to get this job, would mean I could relocate closer to my family and might actually be able to buy a house in the future!

I have about 4 years work experience as a Clerical Officer (public sector), and 5 more as an Office & Accounts Manager (private sector). I feel like I would be well capacity of this role and do have good experience in a range of areas, including management, team work etc.

When I originally applied it was with the usual Co Co Standard Application Form, and it gave little to no detail about the role itself. The letter I received yesterday basically had a few lines to say that the interview would competency based and would be be judged on 1) Management/Team Work/Leadership, 2) Budgeting and Accounts Experience, 3) Knowledge of Local Authority and Co Co issues etc. There was no real job description so I am at a loss as to what the job actually is! I did find a staff officer job description for Limerick Co Co online that I used to write a cover letter as to why I was a suitable candidate, would that be safe to use as an example for this role. I really want to be very well prepared for this interview, it means a lot to me.

Just wondering if anyone here can give me any advice on what I should be focusing on for this interview, what I need to read up on, and what I can expect. I have interviewed before for a Clerical Officer role in the public sector and came 3rd on the panel, that was a 3 person interview panel and was a very tough interview, so I know its not going to be easy & am expecting a grilling. I also know that there will be huge interest in this role, and likely those already employed in the council will also be applying for the role so I want to ensure I do the best I can.

Also I assume that there will only be one interview as applicants have already been shortlisted, or is it likely that there may be a second round?

Any advise would be very much appreciated!

Mimojo

Can anyone offer any advise on this please? Interview in 2 weeks time now

surrender monkey

Hey it's a competency based interview and they have given you the competencies they require for the role. Research the star technique and prepare examples using the technique from your past employment experiences.

The knowledge of co co is a mixed bag and I would study up on the co co for example the annual budget, the county development plan, the number of elected representatives, the population , who is the mayor, county manager, the number of social housing units, homeless list, issues facing that particular council, issues facing councils in general. Know the differences between reserved functions and executive functions. Have a look at the Local Government Law Reform Act 2014 and its effects . You could study everyday for the next two weeks and nothing you study could come up. Good luck

Mimojo

surrender monkey wrote: »

Hey it's a competency based interview and they have given you the competencies they require for the role. Research the star technique and prepare examples using the technique from your past employment experiences.

The knowledge of co co is a mixed bag and I would study up on the co co for example the annual budget, the county development plan, the number of elected representatives, the population , who is the mayor, county manager, the number of social housing units, homeless list, issues facing that particular council, issues facing councils in general. Know the differences between reserved functions and executive functions. Have a look at the Local Government Law Reform Act 2014 and its effects . You could study everyday for the next two weeks and nothing you study could come up. Good luck

Thanks a mill for the advice, sounds like I am on the right track at least

I have broken down the competencies as per the letter, the information is so limited on what they are looking for, but have prepared answers based on competency based questions I found online in the areas they mentioned in the letter.

A friend of mine did the Certificate in Local Government so I have all her notes which are brilliant, but they are so slow to get through. They explicitly deal with the changes as per the 2014 Reform Act so that is good. Have about 20 hours put in so far and not even half way through them. I have the Annual Budget, Development Plan etc and will read through them too. Will also look up the items you listed, thank you. The information is so broad; really I could prepare so much and never be asked anything on it, but trying to cover all my bases. It is only a shortlisting interview so have been advised about 25 minutes. I feel like no matter how much preparations I do stuff could come up that I just wont have prepared.

surrender monkey

The Local Authority part is pot luck I'm afraid. If it's a prelim interview then I think the board will only have two on it. If you make it through to the next round then this study will stand to you!

Mimojo

surrender monkey wrote: »

The Local Authority part is pot luck I'm afraid. If it's a prelim interview then I think the board will only have two on it. If you make it through to the next round then this study will stand to you!

I really do hope so. I feel like I am (well I will be when I have read all this stuff!) prepared for it, and could handle most questions, but then I guess its the luck of the draw on the day what you get asked. I know that could be said for any interview, but is the huge scope of information you must know about Local Government and the particular County Council that I am afraid I will get asked something I just havent covered well.

jool

Hi Mimojo, best of luck with yr i'view this week. I have my i'view on Thurs, so yr post's (& the related replies) have been a big help to me when I'v been trying to structure my own prep. All the best for the interview - hope all the questions suit you... brgds Jool

jool

Hi surrender monkey, just a qk note to say Thanks a million for the info u posted. When u're approaching these interviews as an outsider, the feedback from someone who's been thru the process is invaluable.

I'm wd generally visit & use boards.ie as a research resource, but rarely post something.

So just to say Thanks so much for taking the time, best wishes

Mimojo

jool wrote: »

Hi Mimojo, best of luck with yr i'view this week. I have my i'view on Thurs, so yr post's (& the related replies) have been a big help to me when I'v been trying to structure my own prep. All the best for the interview - hope all the questions suit you... brgds Jool

Hi Jool, best of luck with your interview too! I had mine yesterday, I felt it went well, but honestly I find the format so strange, totally different to a private sector interview, so its hard to know how I got on. This council are shortlisting each and every candidate that applied, literally hundreds, so I really dont know how I will fare, but look I gave it my best shot!

jool wrote: »

Hi surrender monkey, just a qk note to say Thanks a million for the info u posted. When u're approaching these interviews as an outsider, the feedback from someone who's been thru the process is invaluable.

I'm wd generally visit & use boards.ie as a research resource, but rarely post something.

So just to say Thanks so much for taking the time, best wishes

Can I also reiterate that surrender monkey, and all other contributors have been so helpful in the last few weeks. As jool said as an outsider you literally dont have a clue what to expect so the information I got on this thread was invaluable and incredibly helpful in the process. I am going to continue to apply for upcoming roles so feel that I am much more prepared now than I was, and hopefully will be successful in the future.

bananas

Hi Mimojo

Hope the interviews went your way, you sound super knowledgeable and experienced. I have a prelim interview Monday and was hoping that you could share the questions you were asked. I expect it is going to be basic ... what is your experience, why do you want the role, what attracts you to the cc ? Would that be correct for a prelim....Thanks

surrender monkey

No a prelim is basically the same format as a proper Interview although maybe slightly shorter. It's purpose is to shortlist the applicants.

Questions like:

How do you plan your work day?
How did you prepare for this interview?
What are issues facing local authorities ? ( housing and homelessness but everyone will say that so find something else)
How would you deal with a difficult team member? (Its a junior management role so brush up on this in case it's asked)

Questions about team working are often thrown in.
What are kpi 's for local authorities?
Questions relating to the competencies set for the job.
Local authority knowledge -absolute mixed bag could be anything at all.

Happy studying I don't envy you !

surrender monkey

No a prelim is basically the same format as a proper Interview although maybe slightly shorter. It's purpose is to shortlist the applicants.

Questions like:

How do you plan your work day?
How did you prepare for this interview?
What are issues facing local authorities ? ( housing and homelessness but everyone will say that so find something else)
How would you deal with a difficult team member? (Its a junior management role so brush up on this in case it's asked)

Questions about team working are often thrown in.
What are kpi 's for local authorities?
Questions relating to the competencies set for the job.
Local authority knowledge -absolute mixed bag could be anything at all.

Happy studying I don't envy you !

surrender monkey

No a prelim is basically the same format as a proper Interview although maybe slightly shorter. It's purpose is to shortlist the applicants.

Questions like:

How do you plan your work day?
How did you prepare for this interview?
What are issues facing local authorities ? ( housing and homelessness but everyone will say that so find something else)
How would you deal with a difficult team member? (Its a junior management role so brush up on this in case it's asked)

Questions about team working are often thrown in.
What are kpi 's for local authorities?
Questions relating to the competencies set for the job.
Local authority knowledge -absolute mixed bag could be anything at all.

Happy studying I don't envy you !

italodisco

Local authorities almost always already have someone for the job (internal teachers pet or family member of high grade parent), they just go through the motions yo make it look compliant.

I have worked in a council at a grade higher than staff officer, I'm happy to give you some hints and tips OP, pm me if you want, just be advised I'm a bit tied up til 5pm

bananas

Thank you

Infotel

Hi, I know this thread from last year but I was just wondering if anyone has any advice re. Interview for staff officer position since last year. I have interview coming up and have no idea where to begin! Thank you

proFriendL

I'd also be v interested.. have an interview coming up for an IT position in a local authority.. any general hints tips or advice on the local authority interview would be much appreciated!!!
Its a grade VII position..

Infotel wrote: »

Hi, I know this thread from last year but I was just wondering if anyone has any advice re. Interview for staff officer position since last year. I have interview coming up and have no idea where to begin! Thank you

bananas

Surrender monkeys advice was spot on. Its a quick fire buzzer round so you need to know everything and be quick and sharp. They interview a tonne of people. I really was not prepared enough as I didn't give myself enough time to prep. I was asked about the current housing scheme, budgetary issues, managing issues within a team (I was going for a junior management role).