Clerical Officer 2020

positivepenny · 07-05-2020 04:36PM

pjcpolly wrote: »

Yes I noticed that...seems like its only a year long panel for a change!

Why would they change that, wasnt the booklet issued before covid??

Kildare787 · 07-05-2020 04:45PM

Got 67 in Wicklow and 147 in Kildare. Not too bad. Thousands of people won't continue in the competition after that stage anyway. And the interview will help people jump up places. The questionnaire is pointless in my opinion. People can apply and do it with friends family etc. People also will just say what they know the civil service want to hear.

I went for temporary one and could not believe the interview has no affect ok placings. At least this one does. It's a certainly there are better people for the role placed lower than than others who would not do as well.

murphy15 · 07-05-2020 05:01PM

laoisgem wrote: »

My daughter got results for Laois/Offaly. Into the 500's so not looking good, although she was in the top 30 for TCO, it's baffling tbh

a lot of COs already employed apply because its easier way to get transferred than mobility only 1 in every 3 jobs go via mobility, and any1 that has less than 2 years service.. I know 20 plus in my offices in Dublin who have applied aiming to get out of Dublin with high rents/ travel etc..

tritriagain · 07-05-2020 05:07PM

pjcpolly wrote: »

That's a great score....I'm also in Wexford and got placed 95 and 97 for Waterford as my second choice.

Best of luck..:)

Waterford my second choice as well. Placed 51st. Hopefully I'll see you at the Christmas party. Best of luck

mayo londoner · 07-05-2020 05:08PM

Can your position on the OOM go down (e.g go from 10th to 100th) after doing the interview?

murphy15 · 07-05-2020 05:12PM

mayo londoner wrote: »

Can your position on the OOM go down (e.g go from 10th to 100th) after doing the interview?

Yes that's what should happen to me, they'll be reasons people will drop out, ie, can make interview date, too low of a wage, get a job in the meantime, and if you have good example and use STAR technique your OOM can move by Hundreds !

pjcpolly · 07-05-2020 05:16PM

tritriagain wrote: »

Waterford my second choice as well. Placed 51st. Hopefully I'll see you at the Christmas party. Best of luck

And the same to you....it's a waiting game for now.

pjcpolly · 07-05-2020 05:18PM

positivepenny wrote: »

Why would they change that, wasnt the booklet issued before covid??

I heard they are trying to cut down on wait times etc and possibly just a new way of doing things now. Might be the same for other competitions from now on too.

Rubenski · 07-05-2020 05:48PM

Hi guys. I got early 60s for Kerry. First time doing this so am not too sure if I should be optimistic or not, especially since the panel is only until May 2021 this time.

Can I ask if my chances look good (somewhat!!)?? Pretty nervous about this whole thing.

Thanks.

Banana Republic 1 · 07-05-2020 05:57PM

Conqueror wrote: »

You didn't, nor did I say you didn't get a high mark. But if you sarcastically thank someone for blocking you from getting a full time position, then it stands to reason that you probably didn't get as high a mark as they did. If you had a higher mark, they would be below you in the order of merit and you wouldn't need to worry about them also getting a post in this competition.

Having gone through previous competitions, I know there are a lot of people who are understandably anxious about how they will do in this competition, and a lot of uncertainty as to whether they will get a job or even an interview. You may be one of those people. What doesn't help is being unnecessarily sarcastic towards someone who has the right to also enter the competition but who happens to have a full time job somewhere else.

I'm going to leave it there, because sniping back and forth goes against what I think is the spirit of this thread, which is to give support and encouragement to people who are looking to start a new career. I wish you good luck.

The spirit of this thread is one of people getting very despondent wondering how some ranking system which was determined on the back of a cigarette packet says they are somehow worthless. I'm also looking to start a new career now that I have none thanks to covid and yes I did go off half cocked with the original comment but I know there are plenty COs in the civil service that use these campaigns to move sideways.

Do I think thats fair on everyone who does not have a guarantee of employment with some trimmings no because they are already in the system and there are proper internal procedures to do that.

Is it COs fault the system is an ass, and you most know that it is having been through several campaigns, or that the cost of living in Dublin is ridiculous, no but from my point of view its like being blocked from watching a match by the spectators who are already inside.

camki · 07-05-2020 06:37PM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

The spirit of this thread is one of people getting very despondent wondering how some ranking system which was determined on the back of a cigarette packet says they are somehow worthless. I'm also looking to start a new career now that I have none thanks to covid and yes I did go off half cocked with the original comment but I know there are plenty COs in the civil service that use these campaigns to move sideways.

Do I think thats fair on everyone who does not have a guarantee of employment with some trimmings no because they are already in the system and there are proper internal procedures to do that.

Is it COs fault the system is an ass, and you most know that it is having been through several campaigns, or that the cost of living in Dublin is ridiculous, no but from my point of view its like being blocked from watching a match by the spectators who are already inside.

It's a competition, everyone is entitled to apply. May the best person win. You have just a good of chance as anyone. This is only one job that people apply for. I think there will be many opportunities in the private sector when all this blows over. Keep applying for any admin roles you see.

Augme · 07-05-2020 08:06PM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

The spirit of this thread is one of people getting very despondent wondering how some ranking system which was determined on the back of a cigarette packet says they are somehow worthless. I'm also looking to start a new career now that I have none thanks to covid and yes I did go off half cocked with the original comment but I know there are plenty COs in the civil service that use these campaigns to move sideways.

Do I think thats fair on everyone who does not have a guarantee of employment with some trimmings no because they are already in the system and there are proper internal procedures to do that.

Is it COs fault the system is an ass, and you most know that it is having been through several campaigns, or that the cost of living in Dublin is ridiculous, no but from my point of view its like being blocked from watching a match by the spectators who are already inside.

Clerical officer competitions have been running for the last 6 years. Had plenty of chances to become a clerical officer. Instead you wait until you job goes tits up and then whinge when you aren't give a job straight away. Please.

nhg · 07-05-2020 08:24PM

xxsammyxx085 wrote: »

Did anyone notice that the booklet says there wont be anyone used off this panel after May 2021?

Yes, I saw that as well.

Nekarsulm · 07-05-2020 08:27PM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Ya you have enough cynicism built up to know that these campaigns are manly run to give full timers work to do and the stages have no basis in reality.

Dunno where you've worked, but TCO 's in our building are eagerly anticipated.
The 3 summer months sees a number of EO's and CO's and a couple of HEO's taking Term Time, and the TCO's are a great help on keeping on top of stuff.
The 3 we had last summer were great, fast learners, sensible and well able to get on with things.
They were missed when they went.
One has got in full time as a CO in another county, one got a job offer in their Degree field, and one went back to teaching primary in another country in September.
Unless you work in Chapter House, the running of these comps has no effect on your work load ...

And what matter if someone "moves sideways"?
Up, down, sideways or retire , there's a gap somewhere must be filled.

job seeker · 07-05-2020 08:37PM

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Dunno where you've worked, but TCO 's in our building are eagerly anticipated.
The 3 summer months sees a number of EO's and CO's and a couple of HEO's taking Term Time, and the TCO's are a great help on keeping on top of stuff.
The 3 we had last summer were great, fast learners, sensible and well able to get on with things.
They were missed when they went.
One has got in full time as a CO in another county, one got a job offer in their Degree field, and one went back to teaching primary in another country in September.
Unless you work in Chapter House, the running of these comps has no effect on your work load ...

And what matter if someone "moves sideways"?
Up, down, sideways or retire , there's a gap somewhere must be filled.

I never knew that TCO’s were kept on. That’s pretty interesting! That’s the reason I never applied for that competition.

Nigel Fairservice · 07-05-2020 08:43PM

job seeker wrote: »

I never knew that TCO’s were kept on. That’s pretty interesting! That’s the reason I never applied for that competition.

Keep in mind that TCO would have to have gone through the permanent competition for that to happen as well. A TCO can't be kept indefinitely on a TCO contract.

ladz · 07-05-2020 08:43PM

job seeker wrote: »

I never knew that TCO’s were kept on. That’s pretty interesting! That’s the reason I never applied for that competition.

They're not just kept on, he/she must have also been on a permanent competition panel & got called.

Banana Republic 1 · 07-05-2020 10:01PM

Augme wrote: »

Clerical officer competitions have been running for the last 6 years. Had plenty of chances to become a clerical officer. Instead you wait until you job goes tits up and then whinge when you aren't give a job straight away. Please.

No lad Ive been a TCO for a number of years now and Im just disillusioned with the scratch card process especially when I see incompetent full timers that would have gone through the same processes.

Banana Republic 1 · 07-05-2020 10:18PM

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Dunno where you've worked, but TCO 's in our building are eagerly anticipated.
The 3 summer months sees a number of EO's and CO's and a couple of HEO's taking Term Time, and the TCO's are a great help on keeping on top of stuff.
The 3 we had last summer were great, fast learners, sensible and well able to get on with things.
They were missed when they went.
One has got in full time as a CO in another county, one got a job offer in their Degree field, and one went back to teaching primary in another country in September.
Unless you work in Chapter House, the running of these comps has no effect on your work load ...

And what matter if someone "moves sideways"?
Up, down, sideways or retire , there's a gap somewhere must be filled.

Exactly, Chapter house

Trampus · 07-05-2020 10:23PM

Hi all. Well done to everyone who has placed. O got order of merit of 9 for Louth. I know they have two large offices. Between Covid and the fact that things move fairly slowly in the Civil Service, do you think I will have to wait long for an interview (if I get called at all ðŸ˜¬ðŸ˜¬)

Banana Republic 1 · 07-05-2020 10:52PM

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Dunno where you've worked, but TCO 's in our building are eagerly anticipated.
The 3 summer months sees a number of EO's and CO's and a couple of HEO's taking Term Time, and the TCO's are a great help on keeping on top of stuff.
The 3 we had last summer were great, fast learners, sensible and well able to get on with things.
They were missed when they went.
One has got in full time as a CO in another county, one got a job offer in their Degree field, and one went back to teaching primary in another country in September.
Unless you work in Chapter House, the running of these comps has no effect on your work load ...

And what matter if someone "moves sideways"?
Up, down, sideways or retire , there's a gap somewhere must be filled.

I’ve gotten many signatures on my going away cards but the fact that I’ve proven myself across many different departments means nothing when met be this process.

Banana Republic 1 · 07-05-2020 11:01PM

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Dunno where you've worked, but TCO 's in our building are eagerly anticipated.
The 3 summer months sees a number of EO's and CO's and a couple of HEO's taking Term Time, and the TCO's are a great help on keeping on top of stuff.
The 3 we had last summer were great, fast learners, sensible and well able to get on with things.
They were missed when they went.
One has got in full time as a CO in another county, one got a job offer in their Degree field, and one went back to teaching primary in another country in September.
Unless you work in Chapter House, the running of these comps has no effect on your work load ...

And what matter if someone "moves sideways"?
Up, down, sideways or retire , there's a gap somewhere must be filled.

Listen I’ve gotten many signatures on my going away cards I’m not commenting about people in departments but the fact that I’ve proven myself across many different departments means nothing when met be this process ie the competition which to me is as valid to real life in the civil service as a sketch of a stick man on the back of a cigarette pack.

Icbaby · 07-05-2020 11:30PM

Well done to everyone, it’s a waiting game. I applied in 2016, got called for interview in April 18(panel ended 2 people before I got called in sept 18 - ended at 23 and I was 25) I was devastated. Had applied in 2018 also (before my expiry and swearing I was never putting myself through it again), and I started in 2020. It’s such a long process and a hard choice (I had a great job with €10k plus on salary) but I’m glad I did it. People are lovely, Work is work and the work/life balance is easily the best part.
Like others said use the STAR technique for interviews, be prepared and relate questions to yourself and not what you think they want to hear. As you can imagine they interview a lot of people they know what they want so be honest and always have a question for them when they ask at the end, any question you would like to ask?
And just remember you wonder why your OOM is really high etc, this process is different to other times so maybe the interview process will grade different too, who knows! Buts be prepared, and as someone else said put the job to the back of your mind till called because it takes so long.
Best of luck to ye all x

Stheno · 07-05-2020 11:30PM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

No lad Ive been a TCO for a number of years now and Im just disillusioned with the scratch card process especially when I see incompetent full timers that would have gone through the same processes.

Posting personal abuse and editing it is still subject to mod action

Dont post in this thread again

Guffy · 08-05-2020 01:05AM

Does anyone know if the interview actually changes the OOM or is it just pass/fail?

SB1982 · 08-05-2020 08:25AM

I was top 5 for both my choices in the last campaign and it still took 10 months from application date to actually starting my job...(and one of my choices is a very swift moving county). it’s a very long process. Your oom will change again after interview (at least that’s how it happened last time).

SB1982 · 08-05-2020 08:59AM

Guffy wrote: »

Does anyone know if the interview actually changes the OOM or is it just pass/fail?

In the last campaign your OOM changed after interview. You were graded for each of the 4 competencies. Your received OOM after online exam, that changed after exam in chapter house and changed again after interview.

The Wandering Man · 08-05-2020 10:19AM

Guffy wrote: »

Does anyone know if the interview actually changes the OOM or is it just pass/fail?

Both. You have to achieve pass standard in all four competencies and those who pass are then placed on an OOM for placement.

ge_ch · 08-05-2020 10:28AM

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

I’ve gotten many signatures on my going away cards but the fact that I’ve proven myself across many different departments means nothing when met be this process.

Agree. A friend of mine is in her TCO contract since sept 2018, excellent at her job, got a few extensions and her OOM in this competition is over 700. Know lot of other people like that and they’re OOM is even worse 800-1000. Worked with some that were useless at their job, never worked in the department but placed in the top 20.

beppygal · 08-05-2020 10:35AM

I applied for the 2018 permanent CO competition. My OOM was 147 for Co. Roscommon, then after the interview (which I didn't get until December 2019) I was number 4. Now bear in mind we also had the in house aptitude tests (November 2019) which probably eliminated a lot. I started my permanent contract on the 24th of February this year. Just to give some sort of a timeframe.

Will be interesting to see if the lack of in house aptitude tests will speed up or slow down the progression on OOM.
Good luck everyone!

Clerical Officer 2020

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