Coimisiún na Meán Jobs

Ella_Kate_3

Hi there. Does anyone have experience with the hiring process at Coimisiún na Meán. Since they launched in 2022 I’ve been wanting to work there as media & the regulation and funding of it is something I’m really passionate. When I saw Executive Office positions come up there earlier this year I got excited to apply as I felt it’s the position I’m best qualified for (I have a masters degree in communications and 3 years experience in comms jobs such as an analyst and in PR).

I wasn’t even considered for an interview which was really disappointing and I’m not sure whether to keep trying to apply for a job there. I’ve never worked in the civil service so I don’t really understand how it works compared to the private sector. I’ve been the general EO civil service competition before did interview but already had another job by the time I was up for a placement and decided to stay where I was. I know there’s a set hiring process in place but I also know Coimisiún na Meán do their hiring separately. Does anyone have any insight on this? Thanks!

Kirbi

I don't have any specific insight into CnM, but it's not a civil service body (it's public service) and can be expected to keep running its own competitions.

Flinty997

Also no insight into CnM.

But people in public service often have a lot of qualifications multiple degrees and masters, often with private and public sector experience. I'm seeing their minimum requirements climb ever higher, out all all proportion to the position. Don't underestimate the competition. Also sometimes these roles are cardboard cutout for an internal person, and they are ticking a box advertising it externally.

Could be either. Probably a lot of competition for that role.

countyireland12345

CnaM are expanding a lot of have some very interesting roles. I reached interview stage for an HEO competiton last year but then started a new job. They were recruiting HEOs for a bunch of roles accross all areas. I saw a very cool international role last year at AP level but I prefer where I am now so did not apply. My background was project management by the way. You sound like a great candidate for EO, even for a HEO role if you have some management experience.

What was the application process like for the job you applied for? I spent a lot of time on my CV and cover letter at the time. Did you? They may have shortlisted them. They certainly are not finished hiring anyway so keep an eye out for future roles.

hungerjames

I think I saw in the news that they were expanding tenfold (!) from their old organisation, I've seen all the roles and competitions go up over the past year and they look very interesting. Anytime there's a change process that large it can be chaotic and vague to work in, but exciting and full of interesting examples you can use in interviews later.

XPaladocious

Make sure you consider that you may actually be over qualified for that role and that could be why you weren't considered for interview. I applied for a CO position with them last year, did not get an interview and then applied for EO this year and got an interview.. I'm new to the public service this year from private sector and one big thing I've learnt is keep applying for the roles you are interested in even if the organisation did not give you an interview the last time you applied! :)

Ella_Kate_3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122665740#Comment_122665740

Thank you for your insights! I did consider both of those things and will probably be similar for any positions they have going forward as they can be quite niche

Ella_Kate_3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122674423#Comment_122674423

The roles do sound very interesting! I have applied for a HEO role there before too but don't really have management experience so I assumed that's why I was never considered for interview. The application was a CV and cover letter and being honest I probably didn't spend that much time updating mine. I don't have much experience with the civil service hiring process so I treated it how I would applying for a job in the private sector - if you have any advice on how I could improve my application for future roles that would be great! Thanks for the tips :)

Ella_Kate_3

Amazing that's a great tip! I also have very little experience in the public sector so I got disheartened when I wasn't being considered. do you have any other tips for applications when switching over the the public sector? would it be beneficial to proactively try reaching out to a member of staff there in regards to upcoming positions (in private sector this wouldn't be that unusual), or would that be considered inappropriate in public sector hiring processes?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122680678#Comment_122680678

hungerjames

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122716474#Comment_122716474

It would be OK if it's just for general information about the org and how they work, and would disqualify you if they have anything to do with their hiring or interview board themselves directly as it would be considered canvassing. If the examples you give on the form are in STAR format and are broadly applicable to the management position you will be fine, you don't specifically need to have done public sector work.

XPaladocious

I know, I also was disheartened when that happened to me! I've found it to be very different to applying and interviewing for private sector jobs, but the more I do, the better I am getting and the better results I am having, so another tip is to apply for any job that is in the grade you want and practice your application and interviewing skills for that role. The competencies are really important as you prob already know, you should base your answers around those key competencies/capabilities, even tailor your CV to them if you have time. Use the star method as HungerJames suggests above. If you feel you are weak in a certain competency/capability, try get some experience in that area in your current role or even outside of work.