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NEW 2022 Assistant Principal Competition - Open and Interdepartmental

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 86 ✭✭hungerjames


    If you've already been placed on an AP panel for the 2021 Competition, they have indicated that those panels will still be pulled from now until July 2023 on a demand-led basis, so I would suggest throwing your hat into this ring again until such time as you are officially appointed just in case, but don't lose hope yet for the 2021 panels either at this stage.

    Post edited by hungerjames on


  • Registered Users Posts: 260 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Do AP comps also start out with those super fun attitude tests?



  • Registered Users Posts: 6 UC2020


    The

    Post edited by UC2020 on


  • Registered Users Posts: 4 who? too


    Does anyone know if previous service in the public service counts towards eligibility for this? I transferred into the civil service through an open competition a year ago directly from public service.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭2021_AP


    The attachment with breakdown of number of positions notified in previous campaigns is very interesting



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  • Registered Users Posts: 86 ✭✭hungerjames


    86% of all new AP appointments since 2018 were for Dublin, according to the sums in that. Not surprising but still more than I thought! I presume a lot of the rural AP gigs for Departments like DSP that would definitely have a few get snapped up on mobility.



  • Registered Users Posts: 4 who? too


    N/A



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,780 ✭✭✭Aglomerado


    New application form format. Better than the PDF of old I think. :)



  • Registered Users Posts: 890 ✭✭✭doc22


    Outside Dublin deparments would favour internal candidates(outside PAS) and prob used their open sequency for dublin only positions.Add to that Revenue would have there own open AP panel outside of PAS too.

    Goes to show the attrition rate too. 210 positions filled from the 2020 yet thousand+ went through the rounds.

    Lots of 2018 candidates complained how they weren't paneled in 2018 but they were(AOs) in 2016 but 2016 may had a more lenient assessment process given the numbers PAS had to fill



  • Registered Users Posts: 36 Ritournelle


    Hi, just wondering if anyone could recommend any resources for preparation for the aptitude tests (other than the sample questions etc PAS provide).

    Thanks a million



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  • Registered Users Posts: 91 ✭✭Stickmam


    Does anyone know if you moved on mobility, are you eleigible to apply for this? I know you've to stay in your new role for 2 years before you can move again on mobility but can you apply for promotion within the two years? Thanks



  • Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭Ahshurlookit


    Yeah you can still apply for both open and interdepartmental.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,432 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    Ah sure I'll go in again for another 2 years of hope and eventual disappointment



  • Registered Users Posts: 23 Gargoyle711


    I’m also interested in any suggestions on this and how to prep for the aptitude exams?



  • Registered Users Posts: 11 Roch1963



    I subscribed to this website with aptitude test packages in July 2021 which cost €39 for all test packages: https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com. The cost of one test package is €29, so it's worth paying a bit more for the whole lot of them. Happy to say that I passed the AP aptitude test stage as well as all other stages, leading to my AP placement this month. The practice tests certainly prepped me for the real thing and improved my proficiency, so I do recommend them.



  • Registered Users Posts: 7 eamondevaney


    Hello Roch1963 ,


    Could you be a bit more specific about the type of aptitude tests you encountered in the AP aptitude tests?


    Do you have test booklets issued before the àssesments?


    The website you refer to has a lot of different types of aptitude tests so it would be useful to know generally which ones are used by PAS?




  • Registered Users Posts: 60 ✭✭agnena


    Last year I tried these ones and they were very helpful. I ended up in the 1st batch.

    Irish Civil Service Assistant Principal Test Prep (jobtestprep.co.uk)



  • Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭plasticheart


    They use verbal, numerical and situational judgement tests.

    If it's the same as the 2022 competition you'll get a booklet with a link to a practice test. I think you can only do this test once. You'll then get a link to the real tests which has practice tests to complete before the real ones. These practice tests can be done multiple times.

    Best of luck to everyone applying.



  • Registered Users Posts: 15 oranreilly


    For the people who have been through the process before or gotten AP -

    I'm wondering roughly what my chances are. I've been in the CS since the end of May as an AO, I have 3 years of experience as a store manager for a coffee shop. I'm good at aptitude tests and interviews. I'm just wondering how heavily they weight experience, obviously I'm fairly new to the CS, at least I have some previous management experience.

    Any tips for competing or stories to share that might help any of us?



  • Registered Users Posts: 11 Roch1963


    It's the numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and situational judgment aptitude tests that you need to practice for the AP tests. It looks like you purchase the package but access is for a limited time (perhaps 3, 6 or 12 months, it's hard to tell from the website and I can't remember off hand - if you get through them the first time, you won't need them if you're successful). If you purchase the package, you get those three sets of tests and much more, iff memory serves me right.

    As noted above, you do get a link from PAS to a number of practice tests, which you can do before the real test. I seem to remember that you could do the practice tests however many times you wanted. You don't have to do them on the day of the test proper, you can practice for a number of days beforehand. Hope this helps and best of luck.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 11 Roch1963


    Clarification: with the full package of tests with this provider, there is access for 12 months, so ignore my reference to 3 and 6 months.



  • Registered Users Posts: 19 bjarbnickixo


    Will PAS slap me on the wrist for applying even though i'm not eligible? I just want to see how I fare in these competency tests.



  • Registered Users Posts: 36 Ritournelle


    Thanks a million,that's really helpful and great to know people have used the materials successfully



  • Registered Users Posts: 29 Vinoveritas29


    Folks, has anyone else noticed that they are drawing more attention to the importance of the form than last year? I'm wondering will there be shortlisting from the forms, as opposed to the video format used previously... Also do you think they'll run the aptitude tests before Christmas? Wondering when to spend the dollars on the practice tests!



  • Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭Ahshurlookit


    Yes, seems to spell out that it's aptitude tests, followed by shortlisting based on forms. The recent PO competition was straight to interview after the tests and the most recent HEO competition was aptitude tests, followed by shortlisting based on forms where candidates got a new order of merit. Hopefully that's the way this will go and the dreaded video interview is consigned to history.


    I would imagine the testing window will be late November early December.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,432 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    Nope. They are being paid to entertain your frivolous attempt to apply. Its not until after interview that eligibility is checked I believe.


    It's a good opportunity for you to work on your application if nothing else



  • Registered Users Posts: 2 Galouche


    Thanks a mil for sharing this resource, super helpful!



  • Registered Users Posts: 29 Vinoveritas29


    I didn't realise the last HEO had no Video Shortlisting Interview, I got through in 2021 and that did have the video shortlisting, and yes they're horrible... So possibly this one will be form only, that means I really have to put the work in now, aargh! (but thanks)



  • Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭CW2022


    Sorry to jump on this, but does anyone know when the next Open HEO competition is likely to be?

    CO and EO competitions already this year.

    Im in Public service so would need to apply to an open competition.

    thanks



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  • Posts: 0 ✭✭ Mara Spoiled Hat


    I have an AP interview (internal) very soon. Would anyone be able to PM me some questions I’m likely to get asked? Would be very appreciative. Thks



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,417 ✭✭✭griffdaddy


    As far as I know there are no open HEO competitions, it's a promotion grade



  • Registered Users Posts: 19 bjarbnickixo


    I think you might be right, for the most part. However, I have seen some HEO position get advertised as 'open competition' for specific state agencies. I know my current place of work that operates as an aegis under a Department did this... although, this is public service as opposed to civil service. SEO vs HEO; however, same pay scale.



  • Registered Users Posts: 42 rusty1983


    The AO position is what you need to be looking out for and just like the HEO it's a middle management role. Unfortunately, it was advertised already this year, it is mainly a policy role, and you need a level 8 to be eligible



  • Registered Users Posts: 23 Gargoyle711


    I'm in the middle of preparing my application at present, I got through to the in centre tests the last time I applied in 2018 and only missed out by 3 points then so I'm hopeful for this round. The space for responses is very long (4,000 words). Just wondering are people getting close to that figure, personally I feel a quality response to the question posed is better than trying to reach a long word count. What way are others approaching it? When they ask for a specific example are you limiting your response to a specific example addressing all areas of the question, or providing specific examples for different areas?

    Thanks.



  • Registered Users Posts: 17 The Third Policeman


    Looks like it's 4000 characters (about 500 words or so). I'm applying it to a specific example and trying to hit as many aspects of the relevant competency as I can.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 23 Gargoyle711


    Thank you, someone else pointed that out to me - I'm glad to find out at this point and not as I go to cut and paste into the application. Characters makes total sense, 4000 words on each question is a long essay! Best of luck!



  • Registered Users Posts: 450 ✭✭delricyo


    500 words on each example is still quite a hefty target to be hitting. Personally, I'm using this as a limit and not a target. Yes, I can certainly take my 200/300 word examples from previous forms and add in a few more sentences. But I cant really see myself going anywhere near the limit when explaining my duties within each of my roles to date.

    The personal statement is a bit of a head scratcher for me. As a serving civil servant, it is not something that I have completed for any of my promotions to date. Maybe a recent PAS AP form had it on it?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 64 ✭✭757TFFIU


    First time going for AP. Only about 2 and a half years since getting the HEO.

    Have to say I'm struggling a bit with the proposed length of some of the competency based questions. Still just over 1,000 characters left on question 3 and nearly 1,800 left on question 4 for example, and I've nothing left to say. I'd be adding rubbish material for the sake of it. Quality over quantity I suppose, but 4,000 characters does seem quite a long essay. Doesn't particularly help that I've only ever worked in the one Department.



  • Registered Users Posts: 41 DonutLike


    I have submitted my application. I didn’t get too caught up in the word count - quality over quantity.

    The personal statement was new to me, but, I gave it my best shot. I’ve never applied for AP before so all very new.



  • Registered Users Posts: 86 ✭✭hungerjames


    How thorough are people being in their work history? Surely I should just include anything relevant (so everything since I originally came in as an EO/HEO, and maybe one or two of my better managerial jobs previous) rather than including the various places I was a TCO or my previous life in retail?



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  • Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭Gadgetman99


    Whatever you put into your application needs to flow like a proper time line, you shouldn't put in say a job that ended 3 years prior to your civil service then have a gap of 3 years between it and the civil service. They want to know gaps are accounted for, be it for going back to college or a career break etc.

    But professional experience would be better to put in rather than say a retail job from a decade ago unless you were say a manager/supervisor etc. that maybe you might use for your competency questions.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 357 ✭✭flended12


    3rd times a charm! Submitted application there today.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1 whoosh2


    Hello!

    It's been a while since I was in the competion cycle - can anyone advise me whether there is a way to save your previous roles and education on publicjobs.ie so as not to have to type it in for each separate competition? Or is it just a question of re-pasting it in from a stand alone document each time?

    Thanks in advance for any insight.

    whoosh2



  • Registered Users Posts: 23 Gargoyle711


    I applied before and when I went to add my employment history and education this time it gave me the option of auto completing. Submitted mine last night, relief to have it in, test prep starts now, hate those things!



  • Registered Users Posts: 2 AP2022applicant


    Hi all, just wondering if anyone else had issues submitting the application today? I was (last minute) finalising my application and about to submit at 14:55 and the application disappeared and told me the deadline had passed. I immediately sent an email to PAS with screenshot. Anyone else experienced this before?



  • Registered Users Posts: 3 Peaches91


    I had the same issue, and sent an email as well.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1 Spadeser


    Same issue here.



  • Registered Users Posts: 18 Shinerwx


    Same here! Have also sent an email. Fell into the age old trap of reviewing the application....then tweaking....then realising the time! What a horrible feeling when it doesn't go through after all that work! Hopefully will hear something positive back.....



  • Registered Users Posts: 2 AP2022applicant


    Great to hear I'm not the only one. I was in absolute shock when it just disappeared. I know it was last minute, but I still had plenty of time to screenshot, write and send an email to PAS before the 3pm deadline. So should have been able to submit!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 161 ✭✭Kenevil


    Hi All, only decided last minute to throw in an application for this... not sure if i'll get past the short listing but sure its all experience. My examples are only about 150 - 180 words but was told not to bulk them out once i hit all the criteria they don't want to see essay's 🤷🏻‍♀️

    Best of luck to everyone



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