NEW 2022 Assistant Principal Competition - Open and Interdepartmental

HydroTendonMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121757700#Comment_121757700

Normally sometime in the afternoon between12-4 looking through the thread.

CZ 453

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121758194#Comment_121758194

Hopefully today or the next few days so. Thanks.

HydroTendonMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121758389#Comment_121758389

Yes, the waiting is getting painful now! I had my interview on the first week, so feeling it a bit now.

Apart from the batch before Christmas (batch 3.2 I think), PAS have issued results on Thursdays and Fridays. I was successful in two competitions in the past and both times the results came on a Friday afternoon, so I am expecting our results this Friday.

EmbitterGlitter

Results are out, I missed by 3 points on the presentation. Raging but had a feeling! Hard luck to anyone that missed the mark & congrats to anyone who made the panel 😊

CZ 453

How do the placings work for this? Is there a batch ahead of the batch getting results today? Or are they all called now?

Tony29

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121761513#Comment_121761513

Lorna,

Sorry to hear that. Ask PAS for your interview & presentation notes. I missed out in the last competition (AP2021), I failed two comps in both the presentation & interview. My AP2021 PAS notes were a good basis for interview this AP 2022. Congrats to anyone that made the panel.

busher07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121761513#Comment_121761513

Hard luck that was so close.

BandMember

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121761513#Comment_121761513

Hard luck, it's gutting that you missed out by so little. Hope you have better luck with the next one.

Congratulations and best of luck to those who made the panel.

Swilly22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121761513#Comment_121761513

What a shame. Sorry to hear that. Get feedback and go again next time. Best of luck

res1

Well done to everyone that passed this is not an easy competition process at all, to those that not been successful on this competition, I have mentioned this before on this forum in earlier pages "if you keep knocking on the door it will finally open" dont give up its an absolute effort definitely... but it will pay off ..just keep knocking on the door. Best of luck to you all in upcoming comps and if anyone needs a steer or advice from me please pm me no probs.

Onion87

Hi all, I have just gotten my stage 3 results and I've reached the qualifying scores and been placed in the low twenties on the OOM. Does this mean I just have to sit tight now until/if they reach me on the list for a job? Did other people get an offer straight away or is this how it is for everyone - first the OOM email and then an offer? Or how does it work?!? TIA!!!

Swilly22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121764935#Comment_121764935

Congratulations. Sit tight now and wait for an offer.

Onion87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121765525#Comment_121765525

Thank you!! Yikes 😬

Can I just ask - in terms of timelines. When/If I get an offer, how long do I have until I start? Just conscious I don't want to leave my current colleagues in the weeds and tie up as many loose ends as I can.

Gargoyle711

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121764935#Comment_121764935

Hi and congratulations,

I was in batch 3.1 and got my results at the end of November. I was in the top 10. I emailed PAS after that and they were able to tell me how many were still to be cleared from the previous batch, so I had to add that number to my OOM to have the real number ahead of me. Things moved at the end of January (you have to take downtime over xmas into account though) and I have now received information about my Dublin posting and am in the process of agreeing start date.

I remember someone on here doing some calculations and coming up with an approximate number of 1-2 per week that they get through. Once you hit the top of the list things move quick enough. So, yes I guess you'll have to sit tight for a month or two for now. Best wishes.

Tony29

For the interdepartmental panel and the clearance email request

is it just the self declaration form plus birth cert/passport ?

tia

Tony

markyp1988

Hi all, I received my results yesterday and thankfully reached the qualifying score by the skin of my teeth! I’m in the low 30s oom for Dublin open. Does anyone know what the likelihood of being offered a position might be? I know the panel is due to expire in October so would be horrible to not make the cut after passing. Don’t want to get my hopes up. TIA.

PBR

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121766500#Comment_121766500

Yes I think this is all.

Does anyone know when they indicate a department assignment? I did express a preference to stay in my current one to PAS and HR but aware this doesn’t always work out?

Onion87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121766314#Comment_121766314

Thanks. That actually suits me, I'm in no rush, I'm grand to sit tight. Happy days.

amilovarb33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121766314#Comment_121766314

They've just started my clearance for batch 3.1 on the Dublin open. Do you know how much notice they permit me to give my current employer (external candidate) before taking up my post? 6-8 weeks would be ideal, but I know that might be frowned on...

curtains22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121767467#Comment_121767467

I got clearance email today and asked about timelines. They said once your department has signed off on the forms they assign the department and will let you know then. I think if your department has an AP vacancy, no debts to an internal panel and has notified PAS of the wish to retain you, you should be OK.

Swilly22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121767467#Comment_121767467

Hi there. I received a provisional offer from PAS 2 days after I returned my paperwork. Like you, my current Dept flagged me to stay but it wasn't to be. I accepted, gave 4 weeks notice & start next week.

Gargoyle711

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121767855#Comment_121767855

Congrats. They would have to honour what you're contractually obliged to give with your current employer. The HR person I spoke seemed to think it would be ok to go beyond that - but a factor could be that while I know what Dept I'm being assigned to they have yet to decide which section as there are a couple of vacancies and I guess they need to match experience, etc.

HydroTendonMan

Delighted to have passed the interview. Well done to those who have gotten through and sorry to those who haven't this time.

I have already been contacted this morning for clearance on the InterD panel so it seems that they are moving swiftly along.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for the support, information and general comeraderie!

Swilly22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121769141#Comment_121769141

Congrats! Best of luck

CZ 453

I didn't realise there was an option to contact PAS and request a stay in the current department. Although it seems it might not be allowed every time.

PBR

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121769780#Comment_121769780

Yes you can ask both PAS and your local HR but doesn’t always work out as mentioned above depending on if they owe other panels places or have vacancies etc.

I am on a specialist stream currently so would like to ideally remain in my current department.

CZ 453

The InterDs 3.3 have moved very fast for preclearance. Has batch 3.2 been exhausted for placements?

TheGoreyDetail

First time poster, just wanted to summarise the very helpful comments / updates and share my experience of the process for Dublin

Stage 1 - Online aptitude test with the scores of both Verbal & Situational Judgement combined for an Order of Merit (OoM) for Stage 2. I got a score of 1078 & placed 866 (open) and 603 (Interdepartmental - limited to existing civil servants) for Dublin.

Based on the number of applicants Public Appointments Service (PAS) called batches to Stage 2 based on score from Stage 1. Three batches have been called so far. Batch 1 had a score above 1159, Batch 2 had a score of approx 1111-1159. Batch 3 had a score of approx 995-1111 I believe.

Stage 2 - Shortlisting exercise based on application form. Score received will create OoM within each batch to be called to Stage 3. Applicants not meeting minimum requirements may be eliminated here. I scored 105 within Batch 3.

Batch 1 had three groups called to Stage 3 -interview / presentation, 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3, based on their Stage 2 score. Group 1.1 had a score of 127+, 1.2 had the next best scores, I think 111, and so on until candidates fill the panel and are appointed.

Due to demand Batch 2 (Group 2.1 & 2.2) and Batch 3 (Group 3.1, 3.2 & 3.3) were called for interview and placed on the panel. If there is a vacancy then PAS will start the pre-employment clearance process. Note InterD is quicker as no Garda vetting required for existing civil servants.

Thankfully I was successful and placed 29th for InterD and 42nd for Open (Dublin). PAS have started clearance for me on the InterD but no offer yet.

HydroTendonMan

I received my results on the 13th February and came 2nd on the InterD panel. Can confirm that I was offered a position today by PAS in my current Department.

Moving very fast altogether!

TheGoreyDetail

Well done to those who have been successful as it is a long, difficult process with such fine margins.

To those who were unsuccessful please keep trying. This was my 6th attempt at AP and 3rd time to reach a final interview. Try to learn from it and go again later this year.

I got help from Carr Communications for interview preparation and had mock interviews with colleagues. Refer to the AP competency framework and ensure your examples tick as many boxes as possible. Stage 2 will be easier and they focus on your examples in the interview. Keep your responses tight and bring everything back to the competency. You are good at what you do but show you are at the AP level, including your mindset (big picture). Focus on what "I" did, learned and why.

Presentation is straightforward. Choice of topics sent about a week before interview and copy presentation and report on chosen topic has to be submitted about two days before interview. Practice, practice, practice. AP needs to be able to present comfortably so leave nerves at the door. Time yourself (max 10mins) and expext questions that ask you to stand over your recommendations. What if something goes wrong? Show that you can research a topic and make valid, reasoned observations.

Best of luck everyone!