County Council SSO Interview

Ch1co

Hi Folks, couldn't find the answer to this from other boards so was wondering how does feedback from a final interview play out?

I had the final interview for a Senior Staff Officer role last week but as this is my first time applying for a CC role I dont know how I hear back? Is it a letter? Or does that depend on if it's good or bad news ie good news phone call, bad news letter? Or does it vary Council to Council?

Also, do I get tangible feedback if I'm unsuccessful? As I said, it's my first time applying for a CC role so I don't really expect to be successful first time round but would love to get pointers as to what to work on for next year.

Anyone with insight that could let me help me out?

Thanks!

dells35

Hi ,I know it may be different but I applied for a clerical officer role in a county council,I recieved a letter through the post 4 weeks after the interview to say I passed and had 5 different sections of my scores and the number I placed on the panel

Clrp94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058374224/county-council-sso-interview

Hello,
It might be different depending on the County but to my knowledge you hear back about your result approx. ten days after the interviews finish. I think it is via email and you can request feedback via email as well, which will usually include your scorings or some general feedback. In the past I, and others I know, have received a rubric that shows your scores for each area. Definitely request the feedback even if they offer you the job, it's always helpful for you to know regardless.

I'm not sure if you might also get a phonecall if you are successful, sorry.

Could I ask for some info on the SSO interview itself please? Did they only ask you about competencies or did they ask you about preferred departments or your understanding of Local Authority?

Good Luck!

Ch1co

Hey, thanks so much for your reply.

I actually heard back today via letter. Was good news so I'm very happy this evening.

For the interview I had planned on it being competency based however once the interview started they really focused and drilled in on the examples within the application form i had submitted.

One of the 4 competencies was local government knowledge and I was quizzed on the council budget figures, how the city council is funded, what keeps the City CEO awake a night (I said housing) then went into housing in a bit more detail.

The interview as a whole felt more quick fire questions rather than being asked tell me a time when...

That was my experience of it anyway.

Hope that helps!

Ch1co

Hi Dells35,

Do you mind if I ask did you get placed yet?

As I was external I could only apply through the open competition (panel B) and I've placed high on that but now, as im so impatient, I'm wondering how do they assign positions based on the three panels (A,B & C).

Didn't think I'd get this far but I do feel that I'll be offered a position at some point in the future based on where I fell on the open panel.

dells35

No haven't been placed yet ,I got the results in June,I placed in the thirties, I'm hoping I'll get In eventually.i know up to september, 12 people were placed,hopefully if stays moving at the same pace I should eventually get in 🤞I don't have any experience ,it was my first time applying

Clrp94

Congratulations on your success!! Interesting that it was a letter after all. Well done and thanks so much for explaining the interview process in more detail.

Best of luck for the future job!

Clrp94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058374224/county-council-sso-interview

Hello,

I have been interviewed for a similar role and now I've been told I've passed and invited to a second interview. Did you find the structure of the second interview any different from the first? They haven't really given me any information so I'm stressing!

Also, have you been placed yet?

Would really appreciate if you had any advice!

Ch1co

Hey,

First off congrats on getting to the final interview!

Tbh, I applied through the open competition as I was external and went straight through to the final interview for the SSO position.

I haven't been contacted as of yet, I was placed 2nd on the open panel.

In the meantime I had applied for an SO position and have just passed the shortlisting interview with a final interview planned for early Dec. If yours happens to be later than mine I can let you know how they differ.

pocpaul

Hey, congrats on placing so high! Did you hear back yet? I have an SSO interview next week. I'm external and it is through the open competition so hoping it's similar and the final interview. How long did your interview take and was it many questions asked?

Clrp94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122836561#Comment_122836561

Thanks so much for getting back to me! Ranking second is amazing, I hope they place you quickly. Councils seem to move very slowly with panels. Have you done your SO interview yet? I hope it went well!