Clerical Officer 2020

Saz1984 wrote: »

If anyone could give some advice for the CO interview Id really appreciate it, especially those who did it? Thank you.

I posted this a few pages back, might be helpful.
Someone else mentioned that the interviewers aren't bothered with STAR responses though.
The information in the handbook is very helpful.

"If you Google "star" interview responses you might find that helpful.
A lot of the websites give sample questions.
Sit down with a pen and paper and have two answers for each questions, learn them and have them ready to roll off your tongue.

An example interview question might be Give us an example that you improved your workplace. Or give us an example of a project you undertook.
If you were to just say "I revamped our website" that wouldn't be what they're looking for.
If you applied the star format it'd be something like
Situation: I recognised the requirement for our website to be updated when customers commented about lack of information and volume of calls increased.
Task: I undertook to renew the website, got quotes, sourced samples, hired media company.
Action: Be able to speak about going live with the job (website) and what was involved.
Result: Be able to speak about positive benefits of your task (new website) eg lesser volume of calls, easier to navigate, increase in online sales.

They won't ask personal questions like are you married, they can't by law.

They might ask something like Tell us about a time you didn't get on with a colleague or Tell us about a time you disagreed with your supervisors decision.
Another question might be tell us about a customer complaint.
Just write out the answers in Star format and remember them well.

They might also ask you questions to get an understanding of how computer literate you are.
Have some answers / situations ready to show that you can create a word document to type letters. Create a folder. Create and use a spreadsheet.Create emails and attach documents.

Have a practise with someone for your online interview.
Check internet speed / microphone etc.
It can be hard to not lean into the monitor.
And try to look at the camera rather than the screen.
Don't fidget with a pen or paper, if you were sitting in an interview room you wouldn't do that.
Although I imagine they take that into consideration.

The interview only lasts about 20 mins to half hour and it goes by very quickly.
Hope that helps"

ellejay wrote: »

I posted this a few pages back, might be helpful.
Someone else mentioned that the interviewers aren't bothered with STAR responses though.
The information in the handbook is very helpful.

"If you Google "star" interview responses you might find that helpful.
A lot of the websites give sample questions.
Sit down with a pen and paper and have two answers for each questions, learn them and have them ready to roll off your tongue.

An example interview question might be Give us an example that you improved your workplace. Or give us an example of a project you undertook.
If you were to just say "I revamped our website" that wouldn't be what they're looking for.
If you applied the star format it'd be something like
Situation: I recognised the requirement for our website to be updated when customers commented about lack of information and volume of calls increased.
Task: I undertook to renew the website, got quotes, sourced samples, hired media company.
Action: Be able to speak about going live with the job (website) and what was involved.
Result: Be able to speak about positive benefits of your task (new website) eg lesser volume of calls, easier to navigate, increase in online sales.

They won't ask personal questions like are you married, they can't by law.

They might ask something like Tell us about a time you didn't get on with a colleague or Tell us about a time you disagreed with your supervisors decision.
Another question might be tell us about a customer complaint.
Just write out the answers in Star format and remember them well.

They might also ask you questions to get an understanding of how computer literate you are.
Have some answers / situations ready to show that you can create a word document to type letters. Create a folder. Create and use a spreadsheet.Create emails and attach documents.

Have a practise with someone for your online interview.
Check internet speed / microphone etc.
It can be hard to not lean into the monitor.
And try to look at the camera rather than the screen.
Don't fidget with a pen or paper, if you were sitting in an interview room you wouldn't do that.
Although I imagine they take that into consideration.

The interview only lasts about 20 mins to half hour and it goes by very quickly.
Hope that helps"

Also as an FYI know what BCC stands for and does. It seems to be a trick q they throw at people at the end of an interview and it’s so random many people don’t know it.

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

It's roles are extremely diverse, but you can expect a lot of filing, photocopying and typing out of minutes/letters/emails and typing up of statements/memos of interview. That said in some areas there is a real opportunity to carve out a role for yourself if you're so inclined.

The hours will either be the standard Civil Service hours 9 - 5.45 mon-thurs and 9 - 5.15 Friday (1h15 for lunch) or more likely flexi - it really depends where you end up. At the moment hours are all over the place due to COVID.

Thanks so much... do you know if its all office vased or are some working from home due to Covid?

Apologies in advance if this has been answered before. Just wondering how long after an interview does it generally take to find out if you were successful? Then following that, what are the next steps in the process?

Tiafleur wrote: »

Apologies in advance if this has been answered before. Just wondering how long after an interview does it generally take to find out if you were successful? Then following that, what are the next steps in the process?

Wondering the same myself. Anyone know if the interviews are over for Dublin & Wexford ports or continuing into this week and when the results will be out, thanks.

Dublinfan2020 wrote: »

Thanks so much... do you know if its all office vased or are some working from home due to Covid?

It depends on where your appointed

Would they contact your current employer before offering you a position? I had to fill out references but just wanted to check they'd offer you a position before they contacted them...??

Dublinfan2020 wrote: »

Its in AGS. I'd say that will all be office based.... hopefully

In my current dept in AGS i work from home 2-3 days a week. Previous one, i was in station 5 days

Guffy wrote: »

In my current dept in AGS i work from home 2-3 days a week. Previous one, i was in station 5 days

What are thr hours like...?? Is there flexi flexibility time or 9am - 5pm?

oriain17 wrote: »

I was also told I was under consideration for AGS, back in early January. PAS e-mailed me asking for scanned documents, reference, etc. Because I'm in a Public Service job, I asked if it would be okay to give my Line Manager's details for the reference (in case e.g. it needed to go to HR). I was told this was fine, and was also advised that I'd be asked for approval prior to contact being made with my Line Manager. So no worries for you, I'd say - you'll be notified whenever they're ready to get in touch with your referee.

Just on this, for anyone else who's got a position in AGS. I understand security clearance can take a long time (up to three months). Indeed, when I asked PAS about my choice of referee, I was told they wouldn't need to make contact with them until after security clearance was completed - that it would be the "last step". However, I was asked last week for permission to make contact, even though it's only been a month since the process started! I understand my reference is now in, and I received an "assignment notice" message on Public Jobs. Unfortunately (?), it was just a message telling me that AGS HR would be in touch with me shortly.

Long story, but for anyone who's been through it... do you think it's at all possible that my security clearance was completed already, and that I will actually be assigned soon? I thought it genuinely does take 3 months (I've been lurking here, and haven't heard otherwise re. AGS). I've had no contact from AGS HR, so I'm starting to fear that the pleasant surprise of being asked for permission to contact my referee so soon (after being told it would be the "last step") was just false hope, and that it will indeed take another two months at least.

Apologies for the long post, just absolutely cannot wait (a) to get out of where I am and (b) to start something that sounds far more interesting to me!

Just wondering how long you were waiting from when you submitted your security clearance to getting a start date..??

Interviewing Thursday for Cork.

Does anyone know how long security clearance takes for AGS... whats the avaerage time for someone who has lived in the same address all their life and everything else is fine would it still take up to 3months?