Administrative Officer 2023

elfie123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121664751#Comment_121664751

Not yet, I have a start date for a couple weeks time and they said they’d send me my contract in the coming days so going to ask what section I’m in then, because I’m doing to know 😅 I was oom mid 40’s post interview if that’s any help

Avenger2020

Whatever happens avoid a placement in Finance if you can. The work is ok but there are a number of bullies in the department that will destroy you, manipulate and lie behind your back once they find out you have a good masters in financial management. I have had work taken from me and my managers name put on it while she defamed me said I didn’t do it. I have evidence of this culture and would be happy to meet anytime in the city centre. It is really shocking if I said the whole story but incompetent managers will quickly try to eliminate you from making them look bad. I also have evidence of high ranking officials in that department not knowing basic financial language published by the Minister and chastising juniors for using it!! It really is a disgrace. Unless you are a strong sociopath ready to take them on you’ll be eaten alive by the backstabbing, stealing of work credit and defamation.

you might think Im the problem (which is why I never went public with the bullying) but look at all the Businesses closing etc. The Department has managers that are really incompetent and get away with it by bullying and other tactics. No one will be bothered addressing these culture issues unless you have a strong sense of injustice life is too short. Don’t waste it there like I did.

I would add that the turnover rate is so high in that department but they hide it via “secondments” “career breaks” and probations. Most of the good ones leave, those that have no option stay. At best, do a few months policy experience but keep your options open and head to the better-paying private sector once you have the experience. Unless ur life goal is to become a micro-managing time waster on tax payers money!

Avenger2020

I have written proof of evidence of bullying in the Department of Finance. I did not report it because it would be a black mark on my good name.

senior management is unsackable and smug pricks. They ll get away with it again. The policy line is to keep wealth with the wealthy, etc.

maruhc1994

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121671499#Comment_121671499

tysm, so did you get the contract? I found out that I sent my security clearance form back blank, and that was the reason for the delay oops.

phytopenguin

Does anyone have an idea of when the next AO general competition will take place? Thanks

MeganeMan

Application window for certain streams closes in an hour if you're reading this. Otherwise the competition generally tends to open again in September/October.

ffvvvvv

Hi all, was wondering if anyone has any idea how far along they are on the OOM for interviews for this? My friend scored in the very low 200s, so I was wondering if anyone had any idea when she'll be called as she's going on holiday in March and knowing her luck, she'll be called that week. If that were to happen, I would also like to know how good PAS are for giving flexibility for things like that.

On a more positive note, I'm more or less sorted and getting ready to go :) had a bit of an issue with clearance as PAS had me down as ineligible to start until Sept 2024, but going through clearance now, thankfully!

As for the question on the next contest, it'll likely be September/October as the reply above said but there'll be a few specialist contests between now and then with one of those just closing today so keep your eyes pealed and read the text to make sure you're eligible.

MeganeMan

I'm in the mid-50s and got my assignment earlier in the week; there were a couple of delays with my referees so they might be even a bit further down the OOM than that.

ffvvvvv

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121706029#Comment_121706029

Apologies wasn't the clearest. I'm sorted and will be grand, I think, but I'm wondering how far along they are in those who didn't get interviewed in the first round. I was in the top 100, so I was finished in December, but I had seen someone who was in the 150s who had their interview scheduled for about this week and was wondering if anyone else further on from that had been called as (I think) my friend is 206.

Avenger2020

Please be aware if you get placed in Fin, it is a very toxic environment. Very high turnover rate that is hidden by “secondments” and “career breaks” to save face. I have proof of defamation, manipulation and stealing of my work by narcissistic “leaders”. I also have proof of senior management asleep at the wheel, making six figure salaries while not even reading emails and then taking 12 months to “produce” the work already completed. Avoid at all costs. Its not worth the mental anguish of incompetent and toxic leaders. I have written proof of leaders incompetence and backstabbing. I obviously can’t name names but this is the general culture in the department. Hence the huge PR stunt by that department when launching this campaign. Happy to sit down over a coffee if someone has concerns about their placement and what they can do. Your career is important don’t waste your youth in such a toxic job.

Grateful4

@ffvvvvv When I enquired with PAS on 17th Jan, they had called up to 154.

NatashaB16

Had my interview on Monday - anyone any idea when the results might come out?

spacentime

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121716195#Comment_121716195

yeah when I had my interview I got the results in around a week, maybe a little less. with the bank holiday it might be a bit longer till you hear back.

best of luck!

NatashaB16

Ah deadly, that’s really quick!! Thanks a mil and congrats to you for getting through!

MeganeMan

For anybody who has been placed, how long has it normally taken for them to reach out regarding start dates etc. after you've received notification of which department you've been assigned to?

It's been about a week since I got my department but the personnel section hasn't reached out to me yet

Meitheamh10

I got word about my placement on a Friday and heard from my department HR on the Monday. It was one with additional screening however so that may have meant that they were more ready by the time it came to let me know.

Lyncheyy

Just received a message today saying I passed the interview stage, having had my interview at the end of January :).

I got placed between 15 and 25 on the next OOM of Batch 2. (I am in my final college semester right now).

Can anyone provide any information on how it will work with waiting to get my qualification etc?

Does being in this OOM mean I’m guaranteed an offer?

Thanks!

ffvvvvv

Hi all,

Going through clearance right now, and they're asking me whether I would like to wait until after I finish my master's to do it. I asked if I did complete clearance beforehand if I would be able to set a date after I finished the master's in the summer to begin work, but PAS said that's not up to them and would be the department's decision. Does anyone have any experience of this?

I'd like to complete clearance now and get allocated and have a start date agreed as I've to relocate back to Dublin and want to be able to budget for rent as I might have to pay an extra month's rent in my current place, but I don't want them to turn around and say my job is forfeit as I can't take it right away.

LindyA

Hi,

Could you tell me about your interview experience?

What kind of questions did they ask and did you have to speak objectively?

I've never had an interview, so if you could help me, I'd be very grateful. 

My interview is next week and I'm at a loss.

Thanks a million.

aaron5250

Would any be able to share a copy of the information booklet please?

MeganeMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121745420#Comment_121745420

You'll be given around an hour max for the interview, including the presentation.

They won't make extra time if you go on for too long so it's essential that you practice timing your presentation to be 10 mins max, preferable 8 or 9 if you can.

They didn't ask me any particularly pointed questions about my presentation topic, just more generic ones such as what my research methodology was, why I thought the topic is important, how feasible would it be etc.

For the competency based part of the interview, structure your answers according to the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and keep them concise. Don't go into granular detail in your answers unless prompted as you won't have the time. There are about 5-6 competencies to get through and they ask multiple questions for each, so the interview is very time-pressurised.

From my experience the interviewers gave nothing away and they may come off as a bit aggressive. They mean nothing by it and the most important thing is to keep your answers direct, don't waffle, and don't let the pressure get to you.

They may ask you general questions about why you want to join the Civil Service, what you know about the Civil Service values and what challenges you think are facing the CS and government. Read up a bit on these and have convincing answers ready.

Good luck!

LindyA

Hello

Thank you for replying. I'm very grateful for the information.Can you tell me a bit about the presentation?

Was it about you and your skills?

I was unsure about that part:

“You'll be given around an hour max for the interview, including the presentation.”

Thank you for everything.

VANS_95

Anyone have any idea how high they reached in the OOM last time? Did it get into the 500s I got ranked 762 so not holding out much hope.

ffvvvvv

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121793452#Comment_121793452

There's a post further up in this thread that said they got to about 560 last year and called more for the first round this time. Someone else also said that you could ask how far in they were with this year's batch if you email.

NatashaB16

Has anybody from the second round of interviews heard anything back about their clearance yet? I submitted mine on the 14th Feb and have since heard nothing except an email back thanking me for submitting the docs - I am paranoid now that I didn’t submit something or do something I was supposed to 😳

VANS_95

Thanks a mill for your response!

vatsie76

Hi folks, any idea on the OOM !

vatsie76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121824983#Comment_121824983

Being called for interview.

skidmarkoner

Around 160 last time I rang PAS

Emms123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121816471#Comment_121816471

I submitted my clearance docs on the 16th of Feb and also only received a thank you email. I haven't heard anything since. The only thing is they only asked me for proof of education, they did not mention Garda vetting or work references. Is this normal? Is the clearance done in separate stages?