First Secretary Dept Foreign Affairs - anyone through to video interview?

Beanzy

Hi there, don't think there's a thread on this already, so said I'd start one.

Has anyone applied for this? I've had confirmation that I'm through to the video interview, taking place this week. Never done one before, so wondering if anyone else in the same boat? Am private sector, with no public or foreign policy experience, but plenty of management and policy development experience in my current role. Not entirely sure how I position this for the third question, which specifically references foreign policy expertise, or "interest" in. Am plenty interested in this, specifically Brexit, but anyone can say that - not sure how to give it meaning!

Anyway, just a shout-out to see if there's anyone else in the same boat.

adwickham

I'm also through to the video interview stage. Does anyone know if you get a break in between recording answers to the 3 questions? I want to see if I have time to catch my breath/look over my prompts between each response. Thanks!

Beanzy

@adwickham, I have no idea... I presume so. Am I losing it or did we get an email with the 3 questions? I remember seeing something, and now I'm looking on my PublicJobs message board and my emails, and can't find anything...

When are you planning to do yours?

ETA, found the questions! In the first email confirming I was through to this round.

Good luck to all!

adwickham

I completed my responses this afternoon. I can confirm you can take a break between each of the responses so you can take a look back over notes before each one. Good luck all.

Starblue

adwickham wrote: »

I completed my responses this afternoon. I can confirm you can take a break between each of the responses so you can take a look back over notes before each one. Good luck all.

Oh that’s great to know, thank you. Good luck with your app!

LKBeenit

I hope to complete my video interview on Thursday evening. Having to try and condense my responses to 3 minutes is proving difficult! Good luck to all

Beanzy

Wel, I did mine on Thursday. You wouldn't think 3 x 3 minute answers could take so much prep, thought, condensing, practising etc. The questions were hard to condense into 3 minute replies, with a single example, given how diverse a range of areas they covered. The middle question I ended up finished replying with 10-12 seconds to go, so just smiled like a demented fool at the camera until the time elapsed.

We shall see. No idea how they prune down further using this method, but hey-ho.

Good luck all.

Starblue

Yeah it was harder than I thought it would be to chatter away without any responses or interaction and I definitely left out stuff! Be good to get the feedback anyway whatever happens. I wonder how long we’ll be waiting, they shortlisted really fast

LKBeenit

Does anyone know how many were shortlisted?

PublicBen

LKBeenit wrote: »

Does anyone know how many were shortlisted?

Publicjobs won’t release stats while a campaign is ongoing.

Natalie_B

Does anyone have any idea how long it will be before results of the video interviews are out?

PublicBen

Natalie_B wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea how long it will be before results of the video interviews are out?

Out today.

LKBeenit

How did everyone do? I am through

Beanzy

Me too!

PublicBen

I didn’t get through. Well done to those that did.

I’m going to look for feedback to see where I went (not that I’m contesting the decision btw). Just learning going forward. Thought I had done enough to pass - obviously not.

Jessibelle

Me three, kind of!. I passed the interview but am just outside the batch being called forward, so if there's a second batch, I'll be in the running

Ballyguff

Well done to those who got through. Do you know yet what the next round is and when/where it will take place?

Does anyone have any thoughts/insights into how likely they are to call a second or third round?

LKBeenit

Message says 'I refer to your recent video interview for the above competition. In conducting Stage 2 of the selection process, 3 boards were convened to assess candidates with the top 60 candidates progressing to the next stage of the selection process. As you are one of these candidates, you are now invited to attend Stage 3 - Final Interview.'

Ballyguff

LKBeenit wrote: »

Message says 'I refer to your recent video interview for the above competition. In conducting Stage 2 of the selection process, 3 boards were convened to assess candidates with the top 60 candidates progressing to the next stage of the selection process. As you are one of these candidates, you are now invited to attend Stage 3 - Final Interview.'

Did it give dates for the interview?

LKBeenit

Yes, in December

Beanzy

Mine is January. I got the same message as LKBeenit. Have you all indicated Dublin only on your applications? I put Limerick, but the division based there (Irish Aid) would be smaller than the actual DFAT in Dublin, so not sure what the chances are of vacancies actually becoming free there.

Anyone else apply for Limerick?

LKBeenit

Beanzy wrote: »

Mine is January. I got the same message as LKBeenit. Have you all indicated Dublin only on your applications? I put Limerick, but the division based there (Irish Aid) would be smaller than the actual DFAT in Dublin, so not sure what the chances are of vacancies actually becoming free there.

Anyone else apply for Limerick?

I applied just for Dublin

adwickham

Did those doing December interviews get the familiarisation materials yet?

18SpookyBooks

I hope everyone got on well 🀞ðŸ»

Anyone any idea when we will get results?

LKBeenit

18SpookyBooks wrote: »

I hope everyone got on well ��ðŸ»

Anyone any idea when we will get results?

I'm hoping it will be this week

18SpookyBooks

I gave in and rang them yesterday - they are processing results now, will definitely issue this week

LKBeenit wrote: »

I'm hoping it will be this week

fi314

Results out!

LKBeenit

Well, how did people do? I have been placed on the panel. Does anyone have any info on how many they will be appointing? Also, will I be informed when or if I am in clearance? I'm new to this process so thanks!

fi314

Panelled but very high so doubt it will get to me. Bittersweet! Has anyone heard how many they estimate will be needed?

LKBeenit

fi314 wrote: »

Panelled but very high so doubt it will get to me. Bittersweet! Has anyone heard how many they estimate will be needed?[/QUO

I am in early 20s on open comp - is that too high to be called do you think?

fi314

Yeah I am late 20's on the open. They just promoted 15 internally so I wasn't hopeful they would need so many more. I wonder how many they panelled in total? Has anyone got feedback?

LKBeenit

Has anyone heard anything on this competition? Have they started the clearance process for any of the panel yet? Thanks!

fi314

first 20 on the open have all been called

LKBeenit

Ok thanks. I've just missed out so. Do you know if they are likely to call any more?

fi314

The panel will run for 2 year so if you just missed out I would think to give them a call so at least you know if its a matter of months or will it be next year

Wolverinex

Does anyone know how many made this panel out of the 60 that were called for interview? I just missed out on getting called for interview and wondering if there’s any chance at all that they might call another batch from those that passed the video interviews.

Wolverinex

Just got called for interview! Anyone have any idea where this panel is currently at? Thanks!

fi314

Last I heard was that they took the first 20 (of a panel of nearly 40). HR seemed to think that the next call ups would be summer and then into next year. Perhaps its moved faster?

LKBeenit

I'm just starting the clearance process now so they must have called the next batch. Anyone else in clearance now?

Anteayer

That's one I always meant to apply for but I think I've missed the boat age wise now.

JeoJB

Hi

Thought I'd resurrect this one.

I'm on what I believe is the second open panel, was notified back in May but all quiet since. Anyone any idea where this is? I tried writing to the contact given for my application but didn't hear back, they're a little tight lipped it seems...

Thanks for any info!

J

Easton Assassin

Anyone have any idea/guess please if another First Secretary competition is due? I see they have not run one in a few years, only a recent Counsellor competition.

Also I see an interesting comment from a past posting that they think they missed the boat "age wise". Is this a worry an older candidate should have (guessing 40 plus!!)? Thanks.

Minifox

Another First Secretary competition has started. Search for forum Open First Secretary DFA 2021 in Boards for more info.

Minifox

Oh, and I don't think there's any age issue. As long as you're under 66, of course! And haven't taken a redundancy package from the civil service previously.

marley83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118155666#Comment_118155666

Thanks for this!! I’ve been looking for this forum and can’t find it, did it definitely exist? Thanks :)

marley83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118200374#Comment_118200374

Apologies, disregard. I finally found it!

toryumon

Anyone who reached final interview last time around have any insights to share?

What kind of questions were they asking?

kj2022

Hi all, also really interested in any experience of final stage interviews anyone would be willing to share. Is it a straightforward competence based interview or are there more elements to it, presentations/ group exercises etc?

Edit- have found the other thread for the 2021 competition so will follow it.