2024 Assistant Principal in Civil Service

furrybones

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123109392#Comment_123109392

At shortlisting stage you can move up, down or be eliminated altogether.

Caip79

did anyone receive any further correspondence regarding shortlisting after review of applications?

LaydeeLuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123111743#Comment_123111743

No, still waiting to hear. I'd just like to know where I stand in terms of OOM. I did ok in the tests but that doesn't mean much seeing as you can still be eliminated during the shortlisting stage. I'm surprized there is such a delay. Appointments from the last AP comp (2022) will cease at the end of Feb. They already extended that comp so I doubt they can extend it again. You would think they would be hosting Batch 1 interviews for this comp in order to have a panel ready. There must be very little demand for AP's at present..

bren2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123111980#Comment_123111980

I'm surprized there is such a delay.

They've only just released the results from the test. They now need to read your application form and score it to develop a new OOM.

I think your expectations are a bit unrealistic. I would expect it to be another while before they make it through the Batch #1 forms. There's only so many you can score in a day.

dory

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123111980#Comment_123111980

As was said above, it takes a long time to read and score forms. Also, departments have internal and interdepartmental panels that they can still pull from so there'll be no gap in hiring.

durthacht

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123111980#Comment_123111980

According to my records of the last competition there were two weeks between stage 1 results and confirmation whether candidates had reached the threshold for shortlisting to interview (i.e. 27 Jan to 10 Feb 2023).

We are now two weeks since stage 1 results so I expect communication imminently on whether we have reached the interview threshold.

Good luck with your application.

Lollyy

They’re still placing people from the 2022 panel. I know someone who just got appointed. There are still people on that panel. Hard to see how they will get this competition done when there is so little time for the whole process. If they stick with the timeline it looks like there will be very few appointments from this competition.

InvisibleInk

Has anyone had an update? Was expecting to hear by now.

Austin1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123112420#Comment_123112420

In the 2022 competition it was over 6 weeks between test results and shortlisting results.😮

durthacht

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123117625#Comment_123117625

Maybe we're talking about different things, but I have just double checked the 2022 competition communications, and I definitely got my results for stage 1 (aptitude tests) on 26 January 2023, results for stage 2 (application form review) on 10 February 2023, and I was invited to stage 3 (interview) in mid-May 2023.

I'm afraid I can't explain why your experience was different.

Austin1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123117669#Comment_123117669

Actually you're right and I read my records wrong. It was 6 wks from shortlist result to interview and it was indeed 2 weeks from test results to shortlisting - sorry about that!

durthacht

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123118043#Comment_123118043

You were invited to interview before me!

Mac88

Hi all, I’ve never done a civil service interview before and looking to get some practice - are there any organisations that people have used / would recommend? Thanks

durthacht

Thereare lots of interview coaches who specialise in the public sector. The Communications Clinic are one but they are expensive.

LouiseHarp

I reached out to public jobs regarding shortlisting timeframes. Sharing the response here. It appears some people in Batch 1 may hear back in February.

"A shortlisting board is meeting from now to early February to assess candidates’ applications.

Candidates are called from Stage 1 – Online Assessment to Stage 2 – Shortlisting based on their total score.

Candidates are brought forward to each stage in batches. The number of candidates per batch varies depending on the number of outstanding vacancies, so we are only calling candidates forward when there is a demand from Departments to fill vacancies within locations.

Should there be demand for your chosen location, and we reach your total score from Stage 1, we will be in contact with you via your publicjobs message board."

Lollyy

Thanks for sharing that update. It seems we’re in for quite a wait 😵‍💫

InvisibleInk

Did they mention how big each batch is?

LouiseHarp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123120557#Comment_123120557

"The number of candidates per batch varies depending on the number of outstanding vacancies"

InvisibleInk

Thanks it's answers the question but they've left it super vague so still none the wiser!

Angel Flora

The starting salary for EO is €36K, non-negotiable. Did anyone manage to negotiate? I can’t believe the pay is that low for starters. They contacted me for the interview, however my salary is way higher than that, so it doesn’t make much sense to take it, financially.

On the other hand, I’d love to get the AP position in Galway (OOM 23), but there aren’t any vacancies compared to Dublin :/

Lollyy

For anyone interested, the Civil Service Mobility map is showing over 1,700 AP roles in Dublin, not sure how up to date the map is but it can be refreshed so hopefully it is near real time. There seem to be more jobs on Public Jobs recently too. Hopefully there will be good movement with the new government in place.

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123136497#Comment_123136497

That map is very unreliable.

Leesha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123135799#Comment_123135799

The civil service paygrades are set . You can easily google what they are. There is no negotiation if you are coming in from another sector. IF you are a current CS you might not start on the starting point depending on what point you are on in your current grade.

is that a button

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123135799#Comment_123135799

I agree that EO starting salary is very low, but I think it mainly attracts existing CO's as it represents a pay rise. @Leesha is correct in that these paygrades are set so there is no real scope for negotiating if you are a new entrant. However in saying that, I know a person who entered civil service having worked previously with the HSE. This person entered at AO level & was able to negotiate to commence on the second point of the AO civil service pay scale as opposed to the first. This resulted in approx €1-2K extra, but every little helps! I'm not sure if it is common practice for this to happen, but certainly worth asking about if you find yourself in a similar situation. Just to note, (obviously) due to the HUGE difference in pay between EO & AP, they certainly wouldn't negotiate or facilitate such a large pay discrepancy!! 🤣

Wolfskuil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123137070#Comment_123137070

You are 100% right about there being no scope for negotiation. And I doubt this person "negotiated" as suggested. If promoted within civil/public service, then you go to the nearest point on the scale. If the difference between your current salary and the nearest point on the scale is less than the difference between that point on the scale and the next, then you go to the next. This is all outlined in circulars, so it is not "negotiated".

Elpeep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123137336#Comment_123137336

You also have to be able to show that the two positions are analogous - that is, that the previous position you held is directly relevant to the new position. They don't have to be exact matches, but there has to be enough of an overlap before HR will consider allowing you to move up the scale.

doncarlos

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123135799#Comment_123135799

There is zero scope for negotiations. The section I work in have had loads of EOs ready to start and then drop out due to salery. The only thing I can suggest to to look at the entire package if you can afford the salary. Great chance for progression, holidays, pension, flexi time, free courses etc.

Onwards and Upwards25

anyone know if there will be a PO Comp this year ? Will they wait until the AP Comp is ranked for interview maybe ? Or later ?

Angel Flora

Is there anyone working as an AP in Galway? I'm wondering how long the process took and where you were on the OOM before and after the interview.

They contacted me to see if I was interested in an interview for the EO position in Revenue. They stated that declining now would keep me in consideration for future roles. I considered going but was too busy and exhausted, and the salary was lower than my current one. If the salary had been higher, I would have gone for it. However, if I had accepted and then declined the offer, I would have been removed from the competition. In hindsight, I should have tried to negotiate just to see.

Cape Clear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123135799#Comment_123135799

Unless you have previous experience in the civil or public service you will start on point one of the scale.

Angel Flora

Actually I do have it, however the experience is not from Ireland. So technically I guess it doesn't count.

crinkley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123154006#Comment_123154006

I had experience gained in another countries civil service, had to provide a lot of documents to prove the equivalence but it moved me up the pay scale and changed my increment date

Angel Flora

That’s great! My experience was from many years ago when I was the youngest on the team, so I guess finding all the details would take me ages. But it's good to know it could possibly count toward the pay scale, etc.

Since I didn't express interest in the EO interview for revenue but still remain in the competition, I'm now wondering if they might contact me again for a future position.

However fingers crossed for a call for the AP interview. It's so frustrating the number of vacancies in Galway.

crinkley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123154061#Comment_123154061

I gave up applying for Galway to be honest, yes you need to prove that the work you did was at the same scale. I was asked for job descriptions, pay scale's etc

Angel Flora

This was my first time applying for both EO and AP, and I was surprised to be invited for the EO interview. My goal now is to secure a position there—though HEO would be an even better fit for me financially then EO.

Are you already working there? If so, where did you apply? Galway is the most convenient option for me due to my current location.

Caip79

has anyone had an update regarding shortlisting and new oom from application forms please?

eroc79

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123154570#Comment_123154570

don't think any shortlisting has been published yet.

Jsherlock1

I emailed today for an update and this was the response but judging on this thread they havent moved in any locations:

We have yet to bring candidates from Westmeath forward to stage 2 shortlisting.

As we operate on a demand led basis, we are unable to predict if or when your order of merit may be reached. Should vacancies arise and your order of merit is reached we will be in contact via your publicjobs message board.

Vologda69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123154142#Comment_123154142

I left the public service to take up a clerical officer role in the civil service in 2021. I had two years TCO experience from my college days. My prior experience as a TCO and in the public service was recognised and I got bumped up the CO payscale. I was promoted internally to EO in 2022, and I got HEO internally in 2024. As someone who was never great at psychometric tests, I found the internal route a lot easier. Only a handful of open AP vacancies were offered in Cork, Galway and Limerick. You are far better taking EO in Galway, and then trying for promotion internally or interdepartmentally to HEO or AP. You just have so many more options along with mobility.

Angel Flora

I also emailed today for Galway and I got the exactly same message.

Angel Flora

Yeah I was thinking to go trough that route. At least HEO since would be a bit closer to my actual salary.

is that a button

Given that regional candidates seem to be receiving the same replies regarding shortlisting.. Have any Dublin candidates received any updates?

I ask because these comps usually offer a large number of vacancies in Dublin so these tend to move at a much faster pace.

slabs93

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123157504#Comment_123157504

My OOM is around 200 in Dublin and haven't heard anything yet. Would also be interested to know if anyone ahead of me has heard anything.

bren2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123158160#Comment_123158160

Can't remember my exact OOM but I'm about 75 ahead of you (around 125) and heard nothing.

I doubt anyone has heard a peep yet.

is that a button

Thanks for those replies! 😊 I doubt there will be movement on any of the Regional panels any time soon. Due to usual high demand in Dublin, I would expect to see a lot of candidate's called forward for Dublin before they look towards other locations.

Ciaran1239

I contacted PAS yesterday regarding the Dublin panel and received the below response:

"Thank you for your email.

We are currently shortlisting candidates up to open OOM 260 and interdepartmental OOM 167 from Dublin.

As we operate on a demand led basis, we are unable to predict if or when your order of merit may be reached. Should your order of merit be reached we will be in contact via your publicjobs message board."

So basically batch 1 looks like it will be the first 260 Open/167 InterD, and after that they will re-assess based on demand. It looks like they are shortlisting these numbers right now. Like some people within those numbers have said, they haven't heard anything, but looks like you may hear relatively soon on stage 2 results.

lorkyporky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123158611#Comment_123158611

Thanks for the update Ciaran1239, thankfully I'm just inside the cut off point for both open and InterD.

Hopefully we will hear something soon!

sbtr2023

Cheers for the info.. demand appears to be down from the last competition, it looks like they shortlisted the first 400 in batch 1 on the last competition from another thread.. I think I read that anyway

Clearly678

Just wondering if anyone knows, do you get two chances if you are on both inter and open comp? Like could you be successful on both or successful on one but not the other?

delricyo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123159804#Comment_123159804

You will only do one final interview, so you either pass for both or fail both. If you pass, you will get an order of merit in both streams. It depends which one moves quicker then. Once you accept one, you will be removed from the other