NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

InsideEdge · 25-09-2020 11:34am

Just got my Stage 4 Interview notification - Tuesday 20 October. Looks like they are running interviews over a few weeks.

channelsurfer2 · 25-09-2020 12:28pm

is the E-Tray the same format as two years ago or has it changed? the last time it was write a memo to the A/Sec etc and deal with emails.

poundhound · 25-09-2020 2:15pm

No written memo required.
You have to analyse e-mails in your inbox, prioritise tasks, reply, delegate, schedule meetings but avoid conflicts in your calendar etc. all within a very limited time.

silent_spark · 25-09-2020 2:29pm

Kicking myself that I didn’t apply for this! Something to work toward for the next round... whenever that might be.

MrMistoffelees · 25-09-2020 10:05pm

Anyone apply for Communications Manager AP roles? It’s been 5 weeks since application deadline and no update?!

Bob Cratchit · 25-09-2020 10:13pm

MrMistoffelees wrote: »

Anyone apply for Communications Manager AP roles? It’s been 5 weeks since application deadline and no update?!

No, not a thing. I’d almost forgotten it

MrMistoffelees · 26-09-2020 12:16pm

Bob Cratchit wrote: »

No, not a thing. I’d almost forgotten it

Me too! A friend mentioned it. Seems like everyone has forgotten about it

batman007 · 26-09-2020 7:49pm

MrMistoffelees wrote: »

Anyone apply for Communications Manager AP roles? It’s been 5 weeks since application deadline and no update?!

I actually emailed early last week to ask for an update. I received a reply just saying they would forward it on to the relevant department and I haven't heard anything back since!

Mervyn Skidmore · 27-09-2020 4:18pm

Had my internal second interview and presentation on Friday. Took 2 hours in total, was exhausted afterwards. No idea how it went and to be honest even if I were to get placed on a panel there is no realistic chance of a vacancy coming up that would suit me.

Beechwoodspark · 28-09-2020 11:38am

Posting on behalf of my wife (doesn’t have boards account).

I’d really appreciate if someone could answer the below:

“I havn’t done a competency based interview in a long number of years.

Can someone advise please for the AP interview will they go “give us your leadership example”, then questions on that, then they move on to the next competency, and so on through the interview?

Is that how the interview is structured or is it more free form and a flowing discussion?”

Thanks a million in advance !!

r439z5ifwt8soq · 28-09-2020 11:42am

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Posting on behalf of my wife (doesn’t have boards account).

I’d really appreciate if someone could answer the below:

“I havn’t done a competency based interview in a long number of years.

Can someone advise please for the AP interview will they go “give us your leadership example”, then questions on that, then they move on to the next competency, and so on through the interview?

Is that how the interview is structured or is it more free form and a flowing discussion?”

Thanks a million in advance !!

It's generally not as simple of just saying "tell us about competency 1" and then moving on,

In my experience, questions relating to the each competency will be asked in the context of your current work, or something to give it a bit more relevance.

The interviewers don't want to have a situation where someone has learned off a script and hasn't actually done the work, so they will probably end up asking a couple of questions as you go through your example.

At the same time, they are not out to 'catch you out' either, so there won't be any trick questions. The main thing as an interviewee is to know what is expected under each competency

TaurenDruid · 28-09-2020 11:51am

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Posting on behalf of my wife (doesn’t have boards account).

I’d really appreciate if someone could answer the below:

“I havn’t done a competency based interview in a long number of years.

Can someone advise please for the AP interview will they go “give us your leadership example”, then questions on that, then they move on to the next competency, and so on through the interview?

Is that how the interview is structured or is it more free form and a flowing discussion?”

Thanks a million in advance !!

The last few I've done, they've told me which member of the 3-person interview board will be asking me about each competency and been clear about each one when they move on to it. They will ask supplementary questions to clarify/probe, but as the previous poster said, it's more to verify you've done the work and not to trip you up or catch you out. I've had a couple of exceptions to this in specialist/particular job competitions but the main AP panel interviews all followed that format. I'd say roughly 80% of the time I've been able to use the examples I used in the application, and the rest they've asked for an additional or different example.

Northern Sound · 28-09-2020 1:11pm

poundhound wrote: »

No written memo required.
You have to analyse e-mails in your inbox, prioritise tasks, reply, delegate, schedule meetings but avoid conflicts in your calendar etc. all within a very limited time.

I would be grateful if someone could give more detail on the ETray , what are you presented with ? What advise would you give after doing it ? Thanks for the help

HannahR31 · 30-09-2020 2:02pm

Northern Sound wrote: »

I would be grateful if someone could give more detail on the ETray , what are you presented with ? What advise would you give after doing it ? Thanks for the help

I don't know if the scenario will be exactly the same but the set-up should be similar. You basically login and you are presented with a wall of text to read which explains the situation you are in. It will tell you what organisation you work for, and who you are (it may give you a name different than your own in which case make sure you sign off emails as that person), and what is going on.

Make sure you read this carefully - it will be available during the eTray but you don't want to waste any time once the timer starts.

Then you're presented with an email inbox that is 'your inbox' where you will get emails, be able to upload/submit documents, send emails etc. Usually there are a few emails waiting for you to deal with and you might have some arrive as you do it as well.

The best advice I can give is to just put yourself into the situation as much as you can. Pretend it's real life and act as you would if you were just doing the job. Don't feel you have to do everything - they also want to see that you delegate appropriately. You will be told who your staff so you can send things on asking others to do them or get back to you.

Hope that makes sense!

Taxing Tom · 30-09-2020 2:03pm

Hi there, sorry if this is covered before but I am new to boards.ie.
I got placed on the two panels for AP tax specialist. Are the place numbers for each the placing for the particular region I selected only or how does it work?

try_again · 30-09-2020 2:29pm

Well done on getting placed - there is another thread on the Revenue AP comp so you might learn more there. I'd say it's probably an overall placing and you might get a Regional one later - but really the only way to know for sure is to ask them. They are generally very good at answering queries.

RWC15champions · 01-10-2020 3:27pm

Outside of Dublin do we know of any other counties that have been called for video interview/etray?
I see mention of Kildare and Westmeath earlier in the thread but I'm wondering if any other areas have been called.
And anyone that's been called in other counties, is it the same score of 126 or above or has a lower score been used?

Mervyn Skidmore · 01-10-2020 11:28pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

Had my internal second interview and presentation on Friday. Took 2 hours in total, was exhausted afterwards. No idea how it went and to be honest even if I were to get placed on a panel there is no realistic chance of a vacancy coming up that would suit me.

Just in case anyone has a modicum of interest on how it panned out for my internal AP journey, here's how it went. Filled out form and survived shortlisting and called for a first interview. Passed that and through to the above second interview and presentation. Today I found out I passed those too and received a very high position on an internal panel. I'm completely shocked to be honest, delighted with the result. Unfortunately the prospects of getting a post are slim but I've surprised myself at least. I suppose what I'm saying is keep plugging away. This was my 4th AP campaign overall and I've eventually been placed.

TaurenDruid · 01-10-2020 11:33pm

Congrats on that! I've passed the interview and failed the e-tray; passed the e-tray and failed the interview; and failed the management questions in the supervised tests that I'd passed in the unsupervised, and in the previous two campaigns... one of these years, I'll pass them all in the one campaign!

Mervyn Skidmore · 01-10-2020 11:38pm

TaurenDruid wrote: »

Congrats on that! I've passed the interview and failed the e-tray; passed the e-tray and failed the interview; and failed the management questions in the supervised tests that I'd passed in the unsupervised, and in the previous two campaigns... one of these years, I'll pass them all in the one campaign!

I think you've hit the nail on the head, it's about putting the whole set together. The first round interview for me was the most bizarre. Genuinely felt dejected afterwards, but received really high marks. I'm hoping for a run now in this campaign. Best of luck to all.

Brera · 02-10-2020 12:50pm

Just got the dreaded txt from PAS to say the results for the second batch video interviews are out.

As expected I didn’t get past the management experience question.

It would have been nice to have gotten a score on the other questions just to know for future applications but I guess they want to get the process carried out as quick as possible.

I hope everyone else got on ok.

CBCB · 02-10-2020 12:51pm

Online interview results out
Relieved to get through. I am surprised it was that quick

Pdbtsi · 02-10-2020 1:34pm

Passed the video interviews - quite shocked, actually! And all moving much quicker than I thought it would.

Nicole2020 · 02-10-2020 4:31pm

Brera wrote: »

Just got the dreaded txt from PAS to say the results for the second batch video interviews are out.

As expected I didn’t get past the management experience question.

It would have been nice to have gotten a score on the other questions just to know for future applications but I guess they want to get the process carried out as quick as possible.

I hope everyone else got on ok.

Sorry to hear that, next time!

Nicole2020 · 02-10-2020 4:34pm

I got through as well, delighted!

Do the scores mean anything in the video round after this?

CBCB · 02-10-2020 4:36pm

Nicole2020 wrote: »

I got through as well, delighted!

Do the scores mean anything in the video round after this?

Congrats ! - No it has no bearing on the final result. It is just a means of shortlisting for the next stage.

HannahR31 · 02-10-2020 5:15pm

Prepping for my interview - I'm trying to remember which is the competency which they normally don't properly examine during the interview? I remember that usually at the start they say which of them are going to be examining which competencies and that 'the competency X will be examined during the other competencies but won't be questioned separately' = I can't remember though is it Interpersonal and Communication Skills or Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values.

Anybody know for certain?

Ap2020 · 02-10-2020 5:23pm

HannahR31 wrote: »

Prepping for my interview - I'm trying to remember which is the competency which they normally don't properly examine during the interview? I remember that usually at the start they say which of them are going to be examining which competencies and that 'the competency X will be examined during the other competencies but won't be questioned separately' = I can't remember though is it Interpersonal and Communication Skills or Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values.

Anybody know for certain?

It's drive and commitment

Nicole2020 · 02-10-2020 5:24pm

CBCB wrote: »

Congrats ! - No it has no bearing on the final result. It is just a means of shortlisting for the next stage.

Brilliant! I did ok but by no means amazing so good to know

thank you!

HannahR31 · 02-10-2020 6:04pm

Ap2020 wrote: »

It's drive and commitment

Thank you!!

Skulls · 02-10-2020 7:19pm

Nicole2020 wrote: »

Sorry to hear that, next time!

Ah..it sucks at times. What type of stuff did you say, can you remember? Some of us might be able to give you tips then.

Nicole2020 · 02-10-2020 7:50pm

Skulls wrote: »

Ah..it sucks at times. What type of stuff did you say, can you remember? Some of us might be able to give you tips then.

Was this for Brera?

CBCB · 02-10-2020 9:57pm

Nicole2020 wrote: »

Brilliant! I did ok but by no means amazing so good to know thank you!

You got through. That's all that matters!

Brera · 02-10-2020 10:35pm

Skulls wrote: »

Ah..it sucks at times. What type of stuff did you say, can you remember? Some of us might be able to give you tips then.

I’m going to have to go back and look over what I said. I had written it down and have recordings practicing it.

I kind of wasn’t too surprised as I don’t have much experience on managing large teams of people.

At least I have experience of the process now for next time.

Nicole2020 · 02-10-2020 11:29pm

CBCB wrote: »

You got through. That's all that matters!

Exactly, thank you!

Skulls · 04-10-2020 12:30am

Brera wrote: »

I’m going to have to go back and look over what I said. I had written it down and have recordings practicing it.

I kind of wasn’t too surprised as I don’t have much experience on managing large teams of people.

At least I have experience of the process now for next time.

I don't think it is so much large teams that matter. More so that you have to be flexible, delegate, coach and mentor, get the best out of teams, use their skills, review and monitor. See the bigger picture.

InsideEdge · 04-10-2020 7:54pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

Just in case anyone has a modicum of interest on how it panned out for my internal AP journey, here's how it went. Filled out form and survived shortlisting and called for a first interview. Passed that and through to the above second interview and presentation. Today I found out I passed those too and received a very high position on an internal panel. I'm completely shocked to be honest, delighted with the result. Unfortunately the prospects of getting a post are slim but I've surprised myself at least. I suppose what I'm saying is keep plugging away. This was my 4th AP campaign overall and I've eventually been placed.

Well done Mervyn, that's a fantastic achievement! Hopefully, there will be a position for you if you are that high up on the panel.

HannahR31 · 05-10-2020 12:50pm

Just did my remote interview there - don't think it went well at all! Just wasn't on form - but sure at least it's over!

CBCB · 05-10-2020 1:35pm

HannahR31 wrote: »

Just did my remote interview there - don't think it went well at all! Just wasn't on form - but sure at least it's over!

well done for doing it. I think it's really hard to tell how it went so fingers crossed for you.

Herriott · 05-10-2020 1:59pm

HannahR31 wrote: »

Just did my remote interview there - don't think it went well at all! Just wasn't on form - but sure at least it's over!

Well done for getting through it. At least zoom worked! I've mine this week and hoping the bledy internet holds up.

Nicole2020 · 05-10-2020 3:45pm

Well done guys on getting through! What kind of questions are they asking in the interview? I know it’s mostly STAR based, was there any kind of general chat as well?

InsideEdge · 05-10-2020 4:58pm

HannahR31 wrote: »

Just did my remote interview there - don't think it went well at all! Just wasn't on form - but sure at least it's over!

Well done Hannah, I'm sure you just think it was a lot worse than it was! Its natural for us to come out of these interviews second-guessing ourselves and thinking the worst. Fingers crossed for you!

poundhound · 05-10-2020 9:11pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Hi Nicole

Wife had it earlier and asked her for input - her quote was and I do quote “why would I give others an advantage over me and others who did it”

So there - that’s you put in your place !! (Sorry...!)

But yet she asked for assistance on 28th September and was promptly given the assistance she sought?

InsideEdge · 05-10-2020 9:50pm

poundhound wrote: »

But yet she asked for assistance on 28th September and was promptly given the assistance she sought?

One of the attributes of a civil servant is to work collegiately with colleagues but that seems to have slipped her mind. Also, she is not really in competition with anyone here - if she gets the qualifying marks she will be on the panel, if she doesn't then she won't get on the panel. Nothing any of us do in an interview will alter that.

In any case, if people have a look back at the thread dealing with the 2018 AP competition they will find some info on the interviews from about page 80. Best of luck to all, including Beechwoodspark's wife but I hope she never becomes my manager!

HannahR31 · 06-10-2020 10:09am

Nicole2020 wrote: »

Well done guys on getting through! What kind of questions are they asking in the interview? I know it’s mostly STAR based, was there any kind of general chat as well?

It's funny how I always instantly forget the questions I was asked!! But it was very structured as expected - they went from competency to competency asking mostly STAR questions yes. They mostly opened a competency with a pretty open question where anything you have prepared for that competency will work, and then they drill down a bit with more specific questions for that competency.

For example you might start Leadership with 'Tell us about a time you feel you showed good leadership' and then after your answer 'and have you ever had to deal with a team or team member fighting back against your leadership and how did you deal with it?' and so on.

mariagirl · 06-10-2020 10:37am

Hi all, does anyone happen to know if Batch 3 have bern called yet and if so what score are they on? Thanks

flanders1 · 06-10-2020 10:54am

poundhound wrote: »

But yet she asked for assistance on 28th September and was promptly given the assistance she sought?

Hi folks, I've been following this thread silently until now (just did my 3 question video interview recently so there hasn't been that much that I can offer by way of advice/insight so far), but I had to weigh in here to say the absolute neck of this person's wife giving that response after seeking pretty much the exact same advice only last week. I'm actually laughing in disbelief here

Surprising that such brazen self-interest exists and not something you see too often in the Civil Service, from my experience. That sort of attitude just doesn't work in an environment where sections/units within Departments, units between varying Departments/Govt agencies, etc, constantly need to engage and share each others' expertise in order to achieve their goals and deliver for the public. Particularly relevant to the 'Interpersonal & Communication Skills' and 'Drive and Commitment to PS Values' competencies. In fact, it's so central to ALL the competencies really.

Anyway, best of luck to all going through this competition at the moment - it's certainly tough going, but hopefully as many of us as possible will make it through in the end.

johnelusive · 06-10-2020 12:21pm

Hey all,

Does anyone know what the score cut off to advance from the video interviews to the e tray was for batch one?

I'm batch two, and although I passed the video interview, I'm not sure my scores will cut it.

Cheers!

John

CBCB · 06-10-2020 1:10pm

johnelusive wrote: »

Hey all,

Does anyone know what the score cut off to advance from the video interviews to the e tray was for batch one?

I'm batch two, and although I passed the video interview, I'm not sure my scores will cut it.

Cheers!

John

Once you pass it you are through to etray, there is no cut off

CBCB · 06-10-2020 1:12pm

johnelusive wrote: »

Hey all,

Does anyone know what the score cut off to advance from the video interviews to the e tray was for batch one?

I'm batch two, and although I passed the video interview, I'm not sure my scores will cut it.

Cheers!

John

Just checked the message on Public Jobs and after the results it says

"Further details on the next stage of the process, an online simulation exercise in the form of an etray, will issue in due course".

NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

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