Interdepartmental HEO

hungerjames

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119335970#Comment_119335970

I imagine some people will have to, if the options they are given don't match their current gig at all. There's no extra points for doing so though, if one of them relates back to your current department more directly!

Pudsy33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119335970#Comment_119335970

I did, I work in a central department but went with TCAGSM and the Art and culture brief for my report. My own department didn't really fit any of the options and I felt this gave me some more scope and freedom.

HEOhopeful

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119335970#Comment_119335970

Yes, I had to do mine from that perspective.

Just be wary though because you'll have no idea of the structure of the department or the resources available to you.

Pudsy33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119338058#Comment_119338058

Thankfully, neither will the board

08122019

Can I ask how big people’s proposals were? I’ve come up with an idea that I can fit to my current department but worried that it’s too small an idea.

cvb03

Sometimes the simple and small idea's are the most effective for your team and department. Ideas don't have to be be huge projects. Sometimes the smaller the idea the more positive outcome and less resistance to change from your team etc. Best of luck I hope it goes well for you.

HEOhopeful

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119341477#Comment_119341477

Great point actually.

Does anyone know what the pass marks are for both sections? Not feeling confident so grasping at straws at this stage.🙂

knickyb

It's 40% of the overall mark

divillybit

Hi all, quick question for ye..and sorry to derail the thread but I though it would be a relevant question here..

I'll be starting as an EO in the next few weeks and was thinking about starting a postgraduate course in September. Would there be any distance learning courses ye could recommend that would be beneficial for an aspiring HEO once I've the 2 years service done?

I've a level 9 postgrad diploma already in a science discipline but my employer had little value on it and didn't help at all with my career progression so trying to do another postgrad that might be favourably looked on in the Civil Service. Any recommendations much appreciated.

Augme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119348972#Comment_119348972

Educational qualifications aren't really that important when it comes to promotion. If you are focusing on being a HEO you'd be much better off spending time taking on additional work projects instead of doing a course.

Tweets

The IPA do a public service management one which hits on a lot of what you’ll need for promotions going forward.

hungerjames

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119349435#Comment_119349435

I second this one. Your existing level 9 qualification would be more than enough to tick the Education box for the purposes of this and it's all about getting notches under the belt re: project management and people management that you can use for competencies. So don't spend a big pile of money for no value gain.

If you want to do a postgraduate degree that will benefit your Civil Service career outside of the scope of this competition, anything the IPA does is good.

I'm starting their masters in Leadership and Strategy in September.

divillybit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119349681#Comment_119349681

Thanks @hungerjames

Are you paying the course fees yourself or does your employer help in that respect?

I've a good few modules done in project management and project implementation that was part of my postgraduate course that I did through Sligo IT. So I could do the postgraduate diploma project management, which requires 60 credits to be awarded the postgraduate diploma. Just looking at the modules and I have 35 credits earned already as I did them as part of my other postgrad 2 years ago!

https://www.itsligo.ie/courses/postgraduate-diploma-in-project-management-online/

Vologda69

My department encouraged me to do Advanced Diploma in industrial relations. 80% paid by them, ill pay the other 20%. Others are doing courses in employment law.

hungerjames

My work said no when I applied for funding, so I've elected to take loans out and do it anyway 🙄

knickyb

Any education that improves your knowledge of how the civil service works can be used in both the specialist knowledge and drive and commitment competencies ..for example I joined the civil service from a different sector, I recognised I was short the skills and knowledge so I undertook the training to give me the specialist knowledge,. For drive and commitment it shows your passion for delivering the best service to the public

Best of luck in your new job

hungerjames

Best of luck to anyone interviewing this week. I interviewed Monday last week, so I'll let ye know when I hear back as that should give a good general indication.

farmboy1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119352667#Comment_119352667

Hey do you think they will get back that quick from last week's interviews,? Oh the nerves

hungerjames

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119352812#Comment_119352812

They said two weeks and it's been one, so I reckon Thursday this week. But who knows!

Paladonia

I would assume they'd need to interview everyone in the first batch before getting back to anyone, otherwise they won't be able to tell you where you placed on the panel?

hungerjames

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119353086#Comment_119353086

Depends on how long into this week interviews are running. Anyone here interviewing on Thursday or Friday?

applejunkie

I had mine today, the board were very tough, I don't think it went very well, I felt they didn't believe anything i said ....... for anyone else doing it have a second example ready for all competencies.

megger

Yep interviewing Thursday morning

Acquiescence

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119353780#Comment_119353780

The message from PAS regarding allocation of Board members would suggest that interviews are finishing on 22nd.

itsallabit

You know you could wait the civil service run a refund of fees scheme for some programs. Wouldn’t be rushing into taking out loans. I feel you may be expecting too much of the civil service at this point. Walk before you can run, education or not when you get to the HEO interview you just need to be able to sell yourself to a tough crowd.

redmgar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119352909#Comment_119352909

I would guess it won't be this week, the first batch of interviews end this Friday. It will be another two weeks after that.

EER40

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119353846#Comment_119353846

I bet you are glad to have it behind you! Thanks for that tip, I have mine this week and dreading it.... I am finding it hard to retain what I have in the report, don't think this heat helps either 😳

HEOhopeful

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119355298#Comment_119355298

I don't think you're expected to remember it word for word. I had a few mis steps and had the actual report in front of me to glance at if required.

Out of curiosity how did people split the report? I went roughly 50/50 for each section but again I am worried that I just wasn't in depth enough, but between the size limit and the recommended time frame I find it hard to see where I could have changed anything.

EER40

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119355526#Comment_119355526

Yes I split mine about 50/50 also. I feel my content might just about be ok it is more about the question they ask me on it, I wouldn't be too confident with how I will answer those 😪

megger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119353846#Comment_119353846

I’m sure it went better than you thought it’s always hard to gauge what they are looking for!

Were they not happy with your first example in each competency that they looked for a second?