Clerical Officer 2020

positivepenny · 29-03-2020 5:29pm

I'm from Limerick, have been told there is a good few jobs going in the courts there...

Completing the assessment later, any tips on it, what type of questions come up, havent done one in a verrrry long time and it was for the council? Do we need calculators?

Any info would be appreciated
Thanks

Laura99 · 29-03-2020 6:02pm

positivepenny wrote: »

I'm from Limerick, have been told there is a good few jobs going in the courts there...

Completing the assessment later, any tips on it, what type of questions come up, havent done one in a verrrry long time and it was for the council? Do we need calculators?

Any info would be appreciated
Thanks

No calculator needed. When you click the link before going into the questions, there is a link for familiarisation material. It shows examples of what the questions will be.

tringle · 29-03-2020 6:43pm

mikeym wrote: »

Is there opportunities for promotion?

Is there a way into revenue through being a CO?

Revenue is one of the departments. You dont get to pick a department to go to, you get allocated according to your place on the list and positions available. Once in you can apply for mobility and may be entitled to transfer to another department. Promotion from CO is through internal and open competition

Jamescahill · 29-03-2020 7:40pm

Just finished the questionnaire, seemed straight forward enough few tricky ones though how did everyone get on ?

ShellBell89 · 29-03-2020 8:08pm

ge_ch wrote: »

The online assessment questionnaire (multiple choice and situation based) should not take more than an hour to complete. Candidates will then be given a panel number and will be called for interview based on this. There will be NO aptitude tests for this competition.
Sounds very similar to the TCO recruitment process.

How do you know there won't be any aptitude tests for this competition?

job seeker · 29-03-2020 8:24pm

Mike Foxtrot wrote: »

Public Jobs have updated their website:

https://publicjobs.ie/en/covid19/candidates

I’ve never had an online interview in my life! I’d find something like that extremely uncomfortable!

ShellBell89 · 29-03-2020 8:27pm

job seeker wrote: »

I’ve never had an online interview in my life! I’d find something like that extremely uncomfortable!

Me neither ðŸ˜¬

Jamescahill · 29-03-2020 9:07pm

Does anyone have an idea on how many they are actually planning on taking on ?

November Golf · 29-03-2020 10:05pm

Jamescahill wrote: »

Does anyone have an idea on how many they are actually planning on taking on ?

Your application is for a place on a panel so unfortunately your guess is as good as anyone elses.

I am certain there is someone somewhere that has a rough idea how many they plan to take on this year however that information isn't public so essential you should assume the answer is 1 with the knowledge that they will hire more as vacancies arise or people retire.

tiny14 · 29-03-2020 10:11pm

Hi all im going doing the online part soon just wondering any tips? I done one before & didnt do too well as i didnt want to look like id be running to boss if someone not doing what they should so any idea do they want us to snitch on people or just sit back & do our own thing im so confused but would realy like a shot at getting a job as im not working at moment thanks in advance & good luck to you all

November Golf · 29-03-2020 11:09pm

tiny14 wrote: »

Hi all im going doing the online part soon just wondering any tips? I done one before & didnt do too well as i didnt want to look like id be running to boss if someone not doing what they should so any idea do they want us to snitch on people or just sit back & do our own thing im so confused but would realy like a shot at getting a job as im not working at moment thanks in advance & good luck to you all

1. In part A and B, don't be afraid to definitive. Over use of the middle option such as "cannot say" may be seen as an inability to make decisions.

2. In the situational jugdement section, I try to identify what the underlining issue/issues are and select each response on the basis of how well the response does in resolving all the issue
- A good response should address all the issues or provide the possibility of a lasting solution,
- An adequate response may be quick fix but doesn't address all the issues involved,
- A weak response may address some part of the issue but disregards other parts or disregards a key point of information provided,
- A bad response avoids the underlining issues completely or disregards a major piece of information or makes the situation worst instead of better.

3. Don't assume that running to the boss is about landing people in the bog; It may about get a colleague the support or assistance they need to improve or success at the task or project.

Hope this helps

babygirl30 · 30-03-2020 1:25am

I totally agree, those aptitude tests have no bearing whatsoever on the job you do as a clerical officer. It's nonsense!!!!!

tiny14 · 30-03-2020 1:31am

Mike Foxtrot wrote: »

1. In part A and B, don't be afraid to definitive. Over use of the middle option such as "cannot say" may be seen as an inability to make decisions.

2. In the situational jugdement section, I try to identify what the underlining issue/issues are and select each response on the basis of how well the response does in resolving all the issue
- A good response should address all the issues or provide the possibility of a lasting solution,
- An adequate response may be quick fix but doesn't address all the issues involved,
- A weak response may address some part of the issue but disregards other parts or disregards a key point of information provided,
- A bad response avoids the underlining issues completely or disregards a major piece of information or makes the situation worst instead of better.

3. Don't assume that running to the boss is about landing people in the bog; It may about get a colleague the support or assistance they need to improve or success at the task or project.

Hope this helps

Thanks so much for your advice and going to the trouble of replying il lef you no how it goes as il be doing it in morning & goof luck

babygirl30 · 30-03-2020 1:52am

tiny14 wrote: »

Thanks so much for your advice and going to the trouble of replying il lef you no how it goes as il be doing it in morning & goof luck

Just a follow-up personally I think your always better to include your line manager in decisions whether or not you feel your snitching on someone else, that's their job to look after their team members. Best of Luck in the morning, don't over-think, go with your gut feeling! ;-)

Veee doneagal lass · 30-03-2020 11:10am

tiny14 wrote:

Can you use good response for all 4 answers or do you have to use the 4 responses for each answer thanks very much im up in a heap now panicking and 2nd guessing

It says on the page before not all questions have a good answer pick best and worst and than the rest. Dont over think my first time ever applying for a public job and I taught they were ok to be fair some obviously a bit tricky bit you will be fine just be honest best of luck with the rest ðŸ‘Œ

tiny14 · 30-03-2020 11:34am

Veee doneagal lass wrote: »

It says on the page before not all questions have a good answer pick best and worst and than the rest. Dont over think my first time ever applying for a public job and I taught they were ok to be fair some obviously a bit tricky bit you will be fine just be honest best of luck with the rest ðŸ‘Œ

Just done it & it was ok the scenarios are what catches me but tis done now so we can hope for the best!! Thanks for reply & i done as advised & good luck with it all

jackreacher · 30-03-2020 12:24pm

Did it yesterday, found it ok. Had practised the aptitude testing on the public jobs and found the scenarios ok.

MCLAW · 30-03-2020 12:30pm

Done & dusted best of luck everyone! Coming over from 2018 competition, if your not in u can't win ðŸ™ˆ

greensausage · 30-03-2020 6:11pm

Roughly how long does it take for the results to be sent out? Thanks

tiny14 · 30-03-2020 6:22pm

greensausage wrote: »

Roughly how long does it take for the results to be sent out? Thanks

Think mid april

November Golf · 31-03-2020 11:29am

For those that didn't see the facebook post from PAS:

"A big ‘Thank You’ to those who completed the online questionnaire for the Clerical Officer Campaign, over the weekend! 😊
Your efforts are appreciated, given recent events.
We’re still aiming to run interviews in mid-late April. Keep an eye on your Message Board for updates. Good luck..👍"

EO2019 · 31-03-2020 11:33am

Saw that and thought it was a nice touch. I’m sure they are up to their eyes administering the temporary transfers. I wonder if there was a big uptake on the competition, it seemed very played down on social media.

positivepenny · 31-03-2020 11:40am

EO2019 wrote: »

Saw that and thought it was a nice touch. I’m sure they are up to their eyes administering the temporary transfers. I wonder if there was a big uptake on the competition, it seemed very played down on social media.

I wonder too!!

When do you complete a form like your cv?

EO2019 · 31-03-2020 11:54am

At a guess I’d think that’ll happen before interview and that it’ll be scored on form and recorded video interview for panel place/ or keep place once you pass interview. That would make sense in the current environment but it’s just my guess.

November Golf · 31-03-2020 11:57am

EO2019 wrote: »

Saw that and thought it was a nice touch. I’m sure they are up to their eyes administering the temporary transfers. I wonder if there was a big uptake on the competition, it seemed very played down on social media.

positivepenny wrote: »

I wonder too!!

When do you complete a form like your cv?

Its hard to know would the current situation have put people off or attracted more interest.

I would assume they will sent the application form with the invite to interview and we submit by email when confirming our attendance. Thats just a guess those.

mamaz · 31-03-2020 11:58am

I'd say with the amount of people who got laid off due to COVID19 the thought of a Government job became more appealing to a lot of people.

Sonics2k · 31-03-2020 12:10pm

mamaz wrote: »

I'd say with the amount of people who got laid off due to COVID19 the thought of a Government job became more appealing to a lot of people.

That's honestly one of the reasons I'm going for positions like this. I've worked in a few well paying, but also highly volatile businesses that are unlikely to go through a recession.

I'm in my mid 30s, buying a house and have two kids. I'm done with the days of making a lot of money for a few months just to find out the business is closing up or cutting back on staff.

MCLAW · 31-03-2020 2:05pm

Not really sure about the numbers of applicants, so many of us are consumed with current crisis. I myself made it by the skin of my teeth yesterday!! This thread is by no means as busy as the 2018 competition at this stage, so hopefully that will increase or chances.
Like some of the previous posters have said, it is about stability and certainty especially with this epidemic. So many of us may not be lucky enough to have a job after this crisis. It is a very scary and frightening time.

I wonder why? · 31-03-2020 2:12pm

Message from publicjobs.ie posted four hours ago on Facebook. "A big â€˜Thank Youâ€™ to those who completed the online questionnaire for the Clerical Officer Campaign, over the weekend! ðŸ˜Š
Your efforts are appreciated, given recent events.
Weâ€™re still aiming to run interviews in mid-late April. Keep an eye on your Message Board for updates. Good luck..ðŸ‘"

KM792 · 01-04-2020 1:23pm

I found the situational responses tough enough...My first time ever completing something like that.
Not tough as in difficult but if you stare at it too long you'll start second guessing yourself.

Good luck everyone.There is a lot covered in that questionnaire,I hope I didn't perform too bad.

Sweetiesloth · 01-04-2020 5:46pm

I hear the CO 2020 has been extended until Friday 3pm

rachaelworld · 01-04-2020 6:01pm

So, I managed to get the days mixed up and thought the deadline was end of business on the 1st, not 1pm on Monday :eek: so I was delighted to get the message that they have extended it given the Covid crisis to this Friday at 6pm :cool:. This also means more than likely that they didn't get as many responses as they would like.

Anyway, quick question, can any of you who have done the test already tell me is it the same sort of thing as the practise tests on the PAS site?

Also, when you click the link in the message to go through to the test do you have to be ready to do the test immediately or does it give you some sense of what the test is about etc before you have to start? I am presuming you have to do it in one sitting?

TIA

tinofapples · 01-04-2020 6:31pm

Sweetiesloth wrote: »

I hear the CO 2020 has been extended until Friday 3pm

You would wonder why? Low response??

greensausage · 01-04-2020 6:46pm

tinofapples wrote: »

You would wonder why? Low response??

Maybe so, a couple of weeks ago we had near full employment so interest may have been minimal.

macmad10 · 01-04-2020 7:25pm

Good to have the questionnaire out of the way. Also good to hear that interviews will still go ahead as planned but just online. I was just wondering about the pay scale. I know it goes up in increments but how often is that? Is it every year? Is it performance based?

GarIT · 01-04-2020 7:52pm

macmad10 wrote: »

Good to have the questionnaire out of the way. Also good to hear that interviews will still go ahead as planned but just online. I was just wondering about the pay scale. I know it goes up in increments but how often is that? Is it every year? Is it performance based?

Yes to both. The performance review is pass/fail though and around 98% pass it.

job seeker · 01-04-2020 9:18pm

GarIT wrote: »

Yes to both. The performance review is pass/fail though and around 98% pass it.

Never knew about the performance review.. Why would 2% fail it? I understand you may not be able to answer this..

macmad10 · 01-04-2020 9:22pm

job seeker wrote: »

Never knew about the performance review.. Why would 2% fail it? I understand you may not be able to answer this..

I would imagine performance would be based on a number of factors. Quality of work, Delivery, Targets (if any) and absence/punctuality.

Same as any other job really although not every job would have a pay increase every year.

I would say the 2% is could be a mix of things but would probably be down to not meeting deadlines or not completing work to a high standard and then not uplifting that quality when addressed.

Guffy · 01-04-2020 10:20pm

Kinda annoyed that people who couldn't follow some basic instructions are getting a second shot at this one.

jackreacher · 01-04-2020 11:19pm

Sweetiesloth wrote: »

I hear the CO 2020 has been extended until Friday 3pm

Where did you see that?

Check public jobs.ie and no mention?

Sweetiesloth · 01-04-2020 11:58pm

jackreacher wrote: »

Where did you see that?

Check public jobs.ie and no mention?

PAS have contacted people and have advised of extension on this competition.

Jurgen Klopp · 02-04-2020 12:03am

Just on the theory more will have applied due to losing jobs

Wasn't the initial application stage closed before the first restrictions were in place? So I would wonder if many of the C19 laid off people made it anyways

I'd say whoever applied are ones that were always going to apply

Jurgen Klopp · 02-04-2020 12:08am

greensausage wrote: »

Maybe so, a couple of weeks ago we had near full employment so interest may have been minimal.

Has to be surely. As you said near full employment and at the time how many would have have even given it a second thought when they saw the pay

I assume tho the extension is only for the online questionnaire completion. Surely to Christ it's not open to brand new applications isn't that stage closed

Sweetiesloth · 02-04-2020 12:31am

Jurgen Klopp wrote: »

Has to be surely. As you said near full employment and at the time how many would have have even given it a second thought when they saw the pay

I assume tho the extension is only for the online questionnaire completion. Surely to Christ it's not open to brand new applications isn't that stage closed

I presume its just for the questionnaire having more time on

Nekarsulm · 02-04-2020 1:24am

I wonder how long before a "Croke Park deal #2" is brought in, to compensate for the spending on the Corona Virus, and the likely recession to follow?

Jurgen Klopp · 02-04-2020 1:36am

Nekarsulm wrote: »

I wonder how long before a "Croke Park deal #2" is brought in, to compensate for the spending on the Corona Virus, and the likely recession to follow?

Who knows. It would be interesting tho as the only perk left for a state job then would be job security. The starting pay isn't much more minimum wage as it is

positivepenny · 02-04-2020 8:58am

If one gets to the next stage, do you need to provide your leaving cert/college results?

November Golf · 02-04-2020 9:18am

rachaelworld wrote: »

So, I managed to get the days mixed up and thought the deadline was end of business on the 1st, not 1pm on Monday :eek: so I was delighted to get the message that they have extended it given the Covid crisis to this Friday at 6pm :cool:. This also means more than likely that they didn't get as many responses as they would like.

Anyway, quick question, can any of you who have done the test already tell me is it the same sort of thing as the practise tests on the PAS site?

Also, when you click the link in the message to go through to the test do you have to be ready to do the test immediately or does it give you some sense of what the test is about etc before you have to start? I am presuming you have to do it in one sitting?

TIA

No, its a questionaire. Its untimed but you do get to familarise yourself with format before you start

November Golf · 02-04-2020 9:40am

tinofapples wrote: »

You would wonder why? Low response??

People wrote to publicjobs that the 3 day timeline was too short, they had issues with their internet and they couldnt go elsewhere because of the restrictions/health reasons.

Guffy wrote: »

Kinda annoyed that people who couldn't follow some basic instructions are getting a second shot at this one.

Although I had the questionaire done for the initial deadline, I actually support PAS extending the deadline on this occassion. Its not a second shot if they couldn't do it in the first place for reasons beyhond their control.

GaGa21 · 02-04-2020 11:35am

As a mature applicant looking for a career change, I found the last section on experience not the best.
I am going to use the isolation period to work on those skills but don't know if my answers will be enough to get through to interview stage.

Clerical Officer 2020

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