Clerical Officer in Waterford Council

suitcasepink · 01-02-2017 12:47pm #1

Did anyone else apply for this? Or does anyone know the general timeframe of when we should hear about the first assessment?

dark crystal · 01-02-2017 11:16pm

I applied for it too - I know as much as you do! Just the standard email telling us they'd be in touch in due course regarding the aptitude tests.

I'm hoping it'll be within the next fortnight anyway. When I applied for the Clerical Officer in the Civil service, it was almost exactly a month between submitting my application and getting the aptitude test, so fingers crossed these roles work around the same timelines.

I'd love to know how many applied!

suitcasepink · 02-02-2017 10:48pm

dark crystal wrote: »

I applied for it too - I know as much as you do! Just the standard email telling us they'd be in touch in due course regarding the aptitude tests.

I'm hoping it'll be within the next fortnight anyway. When I applied for the Clerical Officer in the Civil service, it was almost exactly a month between submitting my application and getting the aptitude test, so fingers crossed these roles work around the same timelines.

I'd love to know how many applied!

Yeah I applied to that too, I was sick for the supervised tests though and really messed them up

Hoping that this is my second chance!

I hate how drawn out these things are, wish they could just start the assessments and give the results out right away!!

dark crystal · 02-02-2017 11:03pm

deise_girl wrote: »

Yeah I applied to that too, I was sick for the supervised tests though and really messed them up Hoping that this is my second chance!

I hate how drawn out these things are, wish they could just start the assessments and give the results out right away!!

I know, they really take their time, don't they? I actually did ok on the supervised test, but I wouldn't say there's a whole lot of positions in Waterford (compared to say Dublin), so I'm not holding my breath for an interview any time soon.

How did you find the WCC application form? I thought it was a bitch compared to the civil service one. Took me hours to fill out!

suitcasepink · 02-02-2017 11:55pm

dark crystal wrote: »

I know, they really take their time, don't they? I actually did ok on the supervised test, but I wouldn't say there's a whole lot of positions in Waterford (compared to say Dublin), so I'm not holding my breath for an interview any time soon.

How did you find the WCC application form? I thought it was a bitch compared to the civil service one. Took me hours to fill out!

Yeah I kept putting it off it looked so tedious! Trying to come up with good competency examples and then to find you need to write a personal statement.. I really hate those things.
Do you think they'll weed many out on the basis of the application? Atleast with the civil service everyone had a chance at the tests.

dark crystal · 03-02-2017 12:56am

deise_girl wrote: »

Do you think they'll weed many out on the basis of the application? Atleast with the civil service everyone had a chance at the tests.

Well what I took from the auto reply email was that everyone that applied would receive the date of the aptitude test in due course.

I'd say of those that pass that and then pass the numerical/verbal reasoning/error checking, the application will then come into play when inviting people for interview. It's really unchartered territory for me though, as it does seem slightly different from the way the civil service do things. I've also heard the pass rate for the numerical/verbal reasoning and error checking are stricter than the CS.

If we do well, it'll be nice not having to travel to Dublin for each stage though!

suitcasepink · 05-03-2017 5:36pm

Sorry to be dragging this up again but I still never heard a word from them?

dark crystal · 06-03-2017 1:11am

Me neither. They're really dragging it out now.

I asked in the Limerick CC Clerical Officer thread over on the Work & Jobs forum how long they were waiting, just to get an idea of timeframes and got this reply:

Expression of interest was in mid Nov & we received an email on 21st Dec inviting us to the test in early Jan... Christmas in the middle may have delayed things for us, hopefully you won't have to wait as long for your test. It was 3 weeks later we received our test results and nothing yet for the next stage... hope this helps and best of luck to you!

So, it seems they were waiting around 5/6 weeks from application stage to being invited to the test - we're waiting a good bit longer than that at this stage. Submissions of application closed on 13 January and nothing further almost 2 months later. I haven't a notion what's taking them so long, tbh.

suitcasepink · 06-03-2017 9:07pm

Yeah like it's a bit much really.. Why bother have the closing date so long ago if you're not going to follow up on it?
I keep thinking I'm just not on their mailing list somehow, that I've been forgotten!
The amount of time they're taking probably says a lot about the number of vacancies that they have

barneystinson · 07-03-2017 2:34am

deise_girl wrote: »

Yeah like it's a bit much really.. Why bother have the closing date so long ago if you're not going to follow up on it?
I keep thinking I'm just not on their mailing list somehow, that I've been forgotten!
The amount of time they're taking probably says a lot about the number of vacancies that they have

Lots of vacancies, since they don't have any clerical staff to administer this competition...?!

suitcasepink · 07-03-2017 10:19am

barneystinson wrote: »

Lots of vacancies, since they don't have any clerical staff to administer this competition...?!

Spoken like a real optimist!

Saysay19 · 16-03-2017 5:45pm

deise_girl wrote: »

Spoken like a real optimist!

Hey I got an email this morning about sitting the tests.

Has anyone else?

dark crystal · 16-03-2017 7:52pm

Saysay19 wrote: »

Hey I got an email this morning about sitting the tests.

Has anyone else?

Yes, I got it too - about bleedin' time!

Saysay19 · 16-03-2017 9:59pm

dark crystal wrote: »

Yes, I got it too - about bleedin' time!

I know half relieved half sick. Maths is not my strongest point.

dark crystal · 16-03-2017 11:51pm

Saysay19 wrote: »

I know half relieved half sick. Maths is not my strongest point.

Yeah, maths wouldn't be my strongest suit either. Sure all we can do is practice the sample tests and do our best on the day.....

....And hope half the candidates don't turn up :P

Saysay19 · 17-03-2017 9:26am

dark crystal wrote: »

Yeah, maths wouldn't be my strongest suit either. Sure all we can do is practice the sample tests and do our best on the day.....

....And hope half the candidates don't turn up :P

Wouldn't that be great!

PTH2009 · 17-03-2017 12:22pm

sounds like some trek to get the jobs, a number of interviews, qustionaires, exams etc

best of luck and hope ye are all successful

suitcasepink · 17-03-2017 2:24pm

They don't give much notice so they?! Luckily I was able to work something out to get the time off for it! I wonder how many are in the running or if our initial applications stand for anything after these assesments?
Best of luck everyone!!

Saysay19 · 17-03-2017 6:13pm

deise_girl wrote: »

They don't give much notice so they?! Luckily I was able to work something out to get the time off for it! I wonder how many are in the running or if our initial applications stand for anything after these assesments?
Best of luck everyone!!

A girl I know has her tests 9am Wednesday and I'm a few hours after, there must be a few sessions on. Hopefully not everyone will turn up!

suitcasepink · 17-03-2017 7:58pm

Saysay19 wrote: »

A girl I know has her tests 9am Wednesday and I'm a few hours after, there must be a few sessions on. Hopefully not everyone will turn up!

I didn't realise there was a few different times! I'm at 9am myself.

Saysay19 · 17-03-2017 8:03pm

deise_girl wrote: »

I didn't realise there was a few different times! I'm at 9am myself.

Yep! I was a bit disheartened when I heard!

EllieVH · 19-03-2017 12:31pm

Hi Guys,

Do you have any links for practice tests? I googled "aptitude test" and started doing a few of those but I'm looking to see if there's any specific ones for city council jobs.

Thanks

Saysay19 · 19-03-2017 3:02pm

EllieVH wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Do you have any links for practice tests? I googled "aptitude test" and started doing a few of those but I'm looking to see if there's any specific ones for city council jobs.

Thanks

I don't but I think on public jobs.ie have practice tests!

I did an evening last year on clerical assessments and how to prepare for the tests.

I'm still not ready!

suitcasepink · 29-03-2017 11:03am

I found the verbal fine and thought I was off to great things, little did I realise.. I skipped 2 in the numerical they were just taking me too long so I decided to move on to others. And the error checking, lol, I was on the second page but still had a fair few left!
I'm so used to doing these tests on a computer I definitely think the pages and writing slowed me down, but I'm sure many were delighted not having to do it on a screen

EllieVH · 29-03-2017 11:23am

Same here

7 minutes? LOL.

I left out the last 2 in the numerical and did 30/40 in the clerical check. Not enough time!

Just hope the ones I did were all correct.

Good luck to everyone.

suitcasepink · 29-03-2017 11:27am

EllieVH wrote: »

Same here 7 minutes? LOL.

I left out the last 2 in the numerical and did 30/40 in the clerical check. Not enough time!

Just hope the ones I did were all correct.

Good luck to everyone.

Yea seems really similar to myself! Praying we get something from it all!!

Waffleturd · 29-03-2017 1:24pm

Delighted we'll be getting the results next week! That clerical checking was a hoot...!

dark crystal · 29-03-2017 6:00pm

Fair play to those who got to 30 in the Clerical checking...I only managed 23!! Was concentrating on accuracy rather than timing myself. Think the clerical checking may have goosed up my chances. 7 minutes is crazy given the amount of detail you have to check.

The verbal was fine, finished all those, but I ran out of time on the last four questions in the numerical, although I found the numerical far easier than previous civil/public service tests.

Quite surprised when the guy said that only just over 500 had applied for the jobs...that's far less than I expected. Still don't reckon I reached the standard to advance to interview, but sure it's all practice I guess.

taytobreath · 29-03-2017 8:54pm

dark crystal wrote: »

Fair play to those who got to 30 in the Clerical checking...I only managed 23!! Was concentrating on accuracy rather than timing myself. Think the clerical checking may have goosed up my chances. 7 minutes is crazy given the amount of detail you have to check.

The verbal was fine, finished all those, but I ran out of time on the last four questions in the numerical, although I found the numerical far easier than previous civil/public service tests.

Quite surprised when the guy said that only just over 500 had applied for the jobs...that's far less than I expected. Still don't reckon I reached the standard to advance to interview, but sure it's all practice I guess.

500 applied for how many jobs?

suitcasepink · 29-03-2017 9:21pm

dark crystal wrote: »

Fair play to those who got to 30 in the Clerical checking...I only managed 23!! Was concentrating on accuracy rather than timing myself. Think the clerical checking may have goosed up my chances. 7 minutes is crazy given the amount of detail you have to check.

The verbal was fine, finished all those, but I ran out of time on the last four questions in the numerical, although I found the numerical far easier than previous civil/public service tests.

Quite surprised when the guy said that only just over 500 had applied for the jobs...that's far less than I expected. Still don't reckon I reached the standard to advance to interview, but sure it's all practice I guess.

You don't know yet though, even if you feel you answered less you could have answered more accurately than most!

I thought the same re so few applying, I thought that a huge number would, although I've no idea how many vacancies to expect to come up.

dark crystal · 29-03-2017 9:50pm

taytobreath wrote: »

500 applied for how many jobs?

If I remember correctly, he mentioned that around 520 people had applied for the clerical assistant/library assistant jobs and maybe 400ish expected to turn up for the exam.

No idea how many positions there are between Waterford City and Dungarvan, but he said he would get on to WC&CC before the end of next week to try and get a figure.

Saysay19 · 29-03-2017 11:00pm

I was surprised that I found numerical ok. I did guess 2 answers as I couldn't work them out.

Verbal reasoning was ok too....

Error checking! Haha I think I got 28/40!!

Are these for permanent roles and have anyone any idea how many positions they are!!

suitcasepink · 06-04-2017 12:17pm

Scores out now! Pleased with mine but wish they gave us our rankings!
Also don't really understand the system are they just taking any 40 from the 120 for interview?
Kinda feels like the test might mean little

EllieVH · 06-04-2017 12:21pm

Did you get an email? I didn't

EllieVH · 06-04-2017 12:32pm

My surname starts with v, though, so maybe I'll be among the last people to get an email...

suitcasepink · 06-04-2017 12:34pm

EllieVH wrote: »

My surname starts with v, though, so maybe I'll be among the last people to get an email...

Yea i did mine at 9am too so maybe they're just sending that way

blaagirl03 · 06-04-2017 12:43pm

Got me email early this morning. No rank number on it though. Hard to know where ur placed....ðŸ˜¥

dark crystal · 06-04-2017 1:28pm

Well I passed, which was a relief! Seems of the 23 clerical checking questions I managed to finish, I got all of them right at least!

It appears that they'll now shortlist the top 120 from each campaign (I'm in for both) and then call 40 candidates each based on the application forms.

Bummer not knowing if you've reached the top 120 candidates or not, though. I guess it's just a waiting game again now.

blaagirl03 · 06-04-2017 2:12pm

Should be a little more transparent i feel.....In the interest of fair procedure and all. Then again if it was fair I'll bet a huge number wouldn't be working in public sector!!!?!

suitcasepink · 06-04-2017 3:46pm

Yea like it's a bit daft they can't just let us know if we're in the top 120 or not?

Waffleturd · 06-04-2017 5:51pm

My understanding (based on the email) is that based on our education and experience we may shoot up or down the ranks. Basically, I don't think our ranking exists until WCC has sifted our applications and applied additional scoring to our test results.

Quite a drawn out process so far.

blaagirl03 · 06-04-2017 8:01pm

Waffleturd wrote: »

My understanding (based on the email) is that based on our education and experience we may shoot up or down the ranks. Basically, I don't think our ranking exists until WCC has sifted our applications and applied additional scoring to our test results.

Quite a drawn out process so far.

That would be fairer if so.. Hopefully the next stage will be sooner rather than later..... Nothing worse than being left in the dark for an age.....

EllieVH · 06-04-2017 10:26pm

Got my score in the end 39-21-27... Fingers crossed, I suppose...

barneystinson · 07-04-2017 8:52am

blaagirl03 wrote: »

Should be a little more transparent i feel.....In the interest of fair procedure and all. Then again if it was fair I'll bet a huge number wouldn't be working in public sector!!!?!

Why are you going for the job if that's your attitude towards the public sector and your potential colleagues..??

cfog21 · 07-04-2017 2:13pm

Hi,
I have applied for these two positions also, looking forward to finding out where I rank, fingers crossed we all make it into the top40!
I am just wondering can someone explain the difference between working for local government as a clerical officer and working for the civil service as a clerical officer? For example, Would your service be transferable?
I am having trouble finding info on the Internet, so any advice would be appreciated!

dark crystal · 10-04-2017 5:52pm

Just got an e-mail from WCC - I didn't make it through to the interview stage unfortunately.

Best of luck to the rest of you - hope ye all do well

blaagirl03 · 10-04-2017 6:14pm

dark crystal wrote: »

Just got an e-mail from WCC - I didn't make it through to the interview stage unfortunately.

Best of luck to the rest of you - hope ye all do well

Me too....Aw well, the fact that we were never given a rank number would make u think whether these jobs are already promised and the process was just complying with formalities... Anyway hope im wrong and the best and most deserving candidates are appointed. Good luck to all going forward to next stage......!

Waffleturd · 10-04-2017 7:45pm

No joy here either. It would have been nice if rankings were known at any point throughout. Good luck to all still in.

Saysay19 · 10-04-2017 8:37pm

Waffleturd wrote: »

No joy here either. It would have been nice if rankings were known at any point throughout. Good luck to all still in.

I'm gone too! Good luck to everyone!

suitcasepink · 10-04-2017 9:37pm

Yea I'm gone too

Had really been hoping for it!

blaagirl03 · 10-04-2017 10:15pm

Don't be too disheartened lads......It's a lottery with these type of jobs. Always has been, always will.

Clerical Officer in Waterford Council

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