Would I even be called for interview? Admin assistant

ThrowAway8

Hi there, I’m going to apply regardless but it would be great to get either a bolster or reality check.

I’ve spent the last 7 years in college between a masters and PhD. I’m gonna leave my PhD title out as I’ve been told I’d be overqualified in a part time role I went for before. I’d like to apply for admin assistant role with the civil service. However I’ve no formal training or qualifications in administration. There are a lot of transferable skills though (data entry, statistics, communication, databases, outlook, reports and being very conscientious in your methods).

Has anyone succeeded in getting into this type of role with no formal experience or training?

Thanks!

Bicyclette

Are you talking about an Administrative Officer?

Don't leave out your PhD. There are lots of people with lots of qualifications working at various levels in the Public Service. Many clerical officers have undergraduate degrees, some have masters degrees and other qualifications. And there are people with PhDs or equivalents higher up the ladder.

What you need to be able to demonstrate is how your personal experience would be compatible with the work being done in the department employing you.

Nigel Fairservice

ThrowAway8 wrote: »

Hi there, I’m going to apply regardless but it would be great to get either a bolster or reality check.

I’ve spent the last 7 years in college between a masters and PhD. I’m gonna leave my PhD title out as I’ve been told I’d be overqualified in a part time role I went for before. I’d like to apply for admin assistant role with the civil service. However I’ve no formal training or qualifications in administration. There are a lot of transferable skills though (data entry, statistics, communication, databases, outlook, reports and being very conscientious in your methods).

Has anyone succeeded in getting into this type of role with no formal experience or training?

Thanks!

If it’s for the civil service it won’t matter about your experience. The interviews are all competency based and you can draw on your previous work and university/PhD experience to answer competency based questions.

The educational profile of civil servants has changed very much. Previously many joined the civil service straight out of school. Most people have degrees these days. They definitely won’t tell you you’re overqualified because you have a PhD. I have met people with PhDs at many levels in the civil service, from clerical grades up to senior management.

ThrowAway8

Thank you for the responses. Yes it is an IV administrative assistant role. It seems to me so I should highlight my qualifications fully.

AndrewJRenko

ThrowAway8 wrote: »

Thank you for the responses. Yes it is an IV administrative assistant role. It seems to me so I should highlight my qualifications fully.

This doesn't sound like civil service. Do you mean local authority or another public service body.

Valresnick

Lots of people in civil service with Phds at all grades. Don’t leave it out at interview especially if it’s competency based. You’ll be scored on your answer per competency and no marks would go against you for being over qualified.

darragh o meara

ThrowAway8 wrote: »

Thank you for the responses. Yes it is an IV administrative assistant role. It seems to me so I should highlight my qualifications fully.

Having the extra educational qualifications will help you down the line should you want to move up, some of the higher roles require third level from what I remember.

Good luck.