Administrative Officer (graduate) (general) 2022 civil service

gavinoontheweb

Hi, I have been given an interview date for this comp. Should I have received a confirmation e-mail from PAS after sending on my photo ID and confirmation of attendance?

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120602655#Comment_120602655

I did not get the usual automated email so I emailed again asking for confirmation. I got a reply then saying my initial email was received.

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120603224#Comment_120603224

Thanks! I was wondering about that too.

Avenger2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120516714#Comment_120516714

Sorry but if you knew what I have been through you would think again. Permanent Civil Servants are “gods” they can’t be sacked and they know this. They treat people horribly if you step on their toes. I paid so dearly for stepping on someone’s toes that he bullied me continuously for a year to destroy my confidence. I had to leave my job and the Civil Service. What happened to me was so wrong and I will never stop speaking about it. The injustice still makes me angry. I agree with you that I am now an embittered civil servant and I will probably never change. This manager threatened me whenever he could and destroyed my reputation. He himself arrived very late for several meetings and was highly incompetent. But I got punished when I asked questions. I went to HR and they couldn’t care less. They even said not to mention the B word. A/Secs and above couldn’t care less just busy counting their pension. The kinda stuff I’Ve seen shows Ireland as a third world country. I have recordings and emails of the behaviour for any eager journalists au fait with GDPR law I would be interested in working with you.

mcg_philip

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for the presentation. I have an interview approaching in early June. Thanks.

timetime21

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120614876#Comment_120614876

No I wouldn't. I empathized with your situation and am not doubting that, but again, as I stated in my comment that doesn't give you the right to make seriously untrue sweeping comments about the whole of the civil service - how can you not understand that distinction?

Civil servants are not gods and can be sacked. They are all also not spiteful beings that go out of their way to make peoples lives hard for 'stepping on their toes'. How can you not see that your personal experience isn't the case for the whole 40k+ staff in the civil service?

Like its wild the statements you are making here again, my ASec is excellent and goes out of her way to know everyone in the division and isnt just here counting her pension, she has given me invaluable advice I will take with me for the rest of my career. I can say the same for a number of ASecs in my Dept.

Again, I will say it sounds like you went through a difficult experience, but I seriously urge you to reflect on your own behavior before you go doing something you regret.

kb1234

I have just been offered the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth. Which sounds great. However I live and work in Japan - does anyone know if they allow deferral?

Sinradler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120637960#Comment_120637960

Deferral (say for a year) is absolutely not allowed but if you wanted to delay your start then that's something that you should ask them about! I would say no more than three months would be given and that might be pushing it but I'm guessing. I've never heard of someone delaying their start for more than a month but that doesn't mean anything really!

countyireland12345

Anyone started a role in Dublin but not relocated to Dublin - i.e. is hybrid working a thing and how's it going?

Wolfskuil

My interview felt pretty bad; I thought one interviewer kind of kept putting me off, spoke over me, tried to contradict me or cast shade on my answers right from the get go. It made the whole thing more stressful, and I performed worse than I should have. Be very surprised if I got it.

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120671179#Comment_120671179

That's very dispiriting to hear and perplexing.

elfie123

Anybody have any tips on the best way to approach the 3 key actions the civil service can take ? Any advice greatly appreciated, have my presentation this week 😀

Avenger2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120673979#Comment_120673979

Ok.

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120677536#Comment_120677536

Thanks, but I just found my experience difficult. Interviews can go like that I guess. It was likely not intentional by the interviewer, and I could have tried to be less nervous or to have better anticipated such a situation. I will next time. I have worked in the civil service and have had some excellent managers, so don't agree with your generalisations about civil service management. (Nor do such interview boards comprise only civil servants.) I have no interest in the private sector. I am sorry that you had a bad experience in the civil service, but perhaps there are more productive ways of dealing with that than clogging up thematically specific message groups with prolix axe-grinding.

kb1234

I also thought my interview went poorly - bad wifi didn't help! And I was recently offered a job, so hold out hope!

crystalani01

Does anyone have any information on how long the process was following confirmation that you have the role? I am waiting on my degree classification to come back from my uni and have sorted accommodation from 8th July onwards, but I am worried that I may not even start for another few months. I can't really afford to live in Dublin without this job but equally I won't be likely to find anywhere else to live as I have it sorted through a friend of a friend.

I was told by clearance that they cant progress with my application until they have confirmation of my degree classification, which could be mid-end of June or even July. Does anyone know how long after they have this confirmation that I will be placed in a department?

I am really concerned that this will not go according to plan and I will either end up in lots of debt paying for a room in Dublin without a job, or I will end up with nowhere to live because the process has taken too long and I've had to give up my room. If anyone has any info or rough guidance at all I'd really appreciate it.

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120678968#Comment_120678968

I think you might want to consider some sort of temporary job in the meantime. Others can correct me but I think you will still need to go through the Garda and reference check after the eligibility stage. Then you need to wait for the department you are assigned to you to get back to you and when they do they may not want you to start immediately. For example the AP might be on holidays and might not want you to start until they come back.

georrge

I also have my interview and presentation this week. Starting to get a bit nervous now. If anyone has any advice, tips, examples of questions asked etc., would be greatly appreciated! :)

OKDublin

I wonder what the interview pass rate is.

Henman007

Interview this week… typically how long til results are out?

Henman007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120614876#Comment_120614876

Have read all your posts… and whilst I sympathize with how you felt after the alleged bullying, your comments make sweeping generalisations which I feel are inappropriate. People on this forum are seeking information and support in terms of the competition. Also very uncomfortable with how you keep inviting journalists to contact you. You mention taping conversations etc… you realise this is possibly illegal unless you told the people concerned you were taping them?

Wolfskuil

Despite my worries, I just found out that I passed the interview for AO! Have only recently started an EO role, so may be shipping off again somewhere new. So relieved! If anyone knows the timelines for likely deployment---I am in the high twenties---then I'd love to know!

OKDublin

Few questions on accepting an AO role

1. The starting AO salary is only a bit higher than starting EO salary. What if you like your EO role?
2. If you get AO on the open competition, could your current dept block you moving depts and offer you AO within your dept?
3. I think I asked this already, but did anyone get offered a role in any way related to the skills matching questionnaire? I am wondering if I just selected something specific like say the data & analytics, would I be more likely to get something related?

Thx

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120711474#Comment_120711474

Congrats! On your first comment: My understanding is that if you are on point one of the EO salary then you will automatically go to point 2 of the AO salary. When you get a promotion, then I believe the calculation of where you start on the scale is based on whether the difference between your current salary and the next higher point of the new scale is greater or less than your starting point and the next point of the new scale. If the difference is less, the you go up two points on the new scale. E.g. an EO on point one should go to point 2 AO, which is quite a significant bump.

(If the skipping of point four of the scale is also in play, this would mean within two years of AO you could be on point 5....which would almost be a living wage for Dublin!!)

mcg_philip

Congrats to you! I am in a very similar situation following interview. Hopefully we are called for clearance soon.

Butterfly182

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120711474#Comment_120711474

1. Already covered and as an AO who was previously an EO yes you do get bumped up the scale. The pay as an AO especially as a previous EO with service is definitely worth it in the long run. I liked elements of my work as an EO but moving from operations to policy came with benefits to work life balance.

2. My dept at the time tried to keep me but I was allocated to a different department and there wasn't anything anyone could do. My current dept had tried to make a business case for an AO as there were no AO vacancies but it proved too complicated. If I got HEO I probably would have been kept.

3. Yes, I indicated I had a passion for education and training and ended up in a related role.

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120717871#Comment_120717871

Super that you ended up in a related role.

elfie123

got my interview results and unfortunately failed 2 competencies - 1. Delivery of results and 2. Specialist Knowledge, Expertise & Self Development, including knowledge and understanding of the role of the AO. Does anyone have any insight into what they’re particularly looking for in them 2 competencies, specifically the second one I’m quite confused on 😅. Thanks 😊

countyireland12345

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731679#Comment_120731679

Hard luck. At least you will be better prepared for next time. What kind of questions did they ask you if you don't mind me asking? From my reading of the booklets etc., I think the Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development competency is tricky because it's AO General and no specialist knowledge is required. Perhaps it’s an opportunity to talk about your specialist knowledge gained through your degree?

Does anyone have any advice for answering the Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values questions? It seems difficult if you don't have CS experience.

elfie123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731896#Comment_120731896

From what I remember they asked me what I understood the role to be and I said something about researching and formulating a policy that had the best possible outcome for the most amount of people on a particular issue/problem but they seemed to be looking for more from me but I wasn’t sure what? They didn’t particularly ask me any questions on my specialist knowledge regarding my degree I studied politics and international relations. And I currently work in the CS as a CO but for less than 2 months and I did bring it up but they didn’t really touch on it much in their questions. I just find that particular competency a bit of a minefield for the AO general role !

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731679#Comment_120731679

Re the specialist knowledge, well I don't think we are suposed to discuss what we were asked but looking at the KPIs you'd need to be able to discuss what you think the AO role encompasses. Also, how you will get up to speed in the new role - what steps will you take. Also, how do you currently keep up to date with government/EU news. For example something like discussing how the EU is planning on regulating AI or recent govenrment publications. Re expertise - could be difficult if you haven't much work experience. However perhaps if not, you could mention that you have expertise in a particular area of IT/Digital/Data and you could help less digitally literate colleagues.

I didn't score really highly in this one 30ish but enough to pass.

elfie123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731979#Comment_120731979

Yes it’s just a tricky competency to answer in comparison to the more straightforward ones like leadership and communication 😅 maybe I’ll have got my head around it by the time the next competition comes around

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120731896#Comment_120731896

Impartiality is VERY important for this one. Even if you have no Civil Service experience diversity awareness is required in all organisations. As far as I recall 12% of our population are not Irish. You need to show others respect in all workplaces not just in the Civil Service. In respect of Civil Service, if you were placed in the Dept of Social Protection you have to treat all customers equally. This means for example if you politically disagree with some government policy you have to keep your personal views out of it. You have to apply the government legislation and put your own views aside.

mcg_philip

Does anyone have any update on people being called for clearance from Batch 5?

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120741736#Comment_120741736

Just confirming qualifications and skills match questionnaire so far. Deadline for both was yesterday (for me anyway).

mcg_philip

Same here! Are you batch 5 too?

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120747542#Comment_120747542

Yup

OKDublin

Which Civil Service dept would be the most IT advanced?

I seem to recall in previous messages a few people said they expressed a wish to work in X/Y depts and it was taken into account.

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120751218#Comment_120751218

My understanding is that Revenue tends to have the best IT. For instance, they have had an AI chatbot for 5 years to handle routine queries. They tend to be most progressive because, put simply, they take in all the money.

minersrepite

Hi all,

I was a assigned to a department I liked but have been told I’m starting as an ao on secondment to an external body which is not part of my main department.

I have zero interest in what this body does and wouldn’t have left my previous position if I’d known. My ap and po will also both be from this body. Has this happened to anyone else? Really weird to be on secondment my first year. My suspicion is that it was offered to existent aos but no one wanted it.

kb1234

Hello!

I'm living abroad and I've been offered to defer my position until October, however I'm wondering if they will be opening a new competition at the end of this year, would anyone know?

thanks!

countyireland12345

Did anyone receive a email from PAS about expressions of interest for this comp? I did 3 weeks ago and haven't heard from them since. I know it's not a guarantee but I'm hoping I will be called. Was late 380s in orginal OOM.

Michelin

Any word from those in Batch 5 yet? Wonder has anyone been called for clearance?

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120839021#Comment_120839021

I have heard nothing yet. I am also curious if anyone closer to the top of the list has heard anything.

OKDublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120839021#Comment_120839021

Eligibility only. Nothing further.

mcg_philip

I am in the early 20s on Batch 5 and haven’t heard anything yet. Although I emailed PAS and they mentioned that they hope to call people from Batch 5 ‘very soon’.

smithsburg

Quick question for anyone who’s interviewed. I’m finalising my presentation - it’s to be submitted a day ahead of the interview. It’s a bit unclear but I’m assuming it’s the text document that’s required to be sent in as opposed to a verbal presentation? I’ll present on the day using the slides I’ve sent in?

countyireland12345

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120854289#Comment_120854289

"You may use visual aids such as PowerPoint, PDF’s or Word to make your presentation. Your choice of delivery will not have any bearing on your score".

Yes, I have prepared my presentation on PowerPoint and will present that on the day too, i.e. share my screen and present. When you say "text document" you mean slides right?

smithsburg

I do indeed.

When the brief mentioned sending over ‘the complete presentation’ in advance I just wanted to be certain that doesn’t include the spoken part. I’m virtually certain it’s just the slides they want in advance, but you can’t be too sure!

BigElmo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120854648#Comment_120854648

Correct. You'll speak when you share your PowerPoint in your interview.