Clerical Officer 2020

tiny14 · 18-04-2021 05:52PM

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.
You should also be able to tell them what bcc means and cc.

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"

Thanks so much for taking time to reply and all the info!! Ive alot to get done before it but will update once its done & thanks again

Tiafleur · 20-04-2021 08:41AM

Quick update on when the panel expires:

I emailed PAS last week to see if they had any update on the Meath panel and an end date. Got a reply today saying I’m still next in line for a position in Meath (been next in line for 5 weeks now, had interview at the start of March) and that there is still no set end date for the panel. They said again that this panel has been active since June 2020 and the panels typically run 12-18 months.

EmmetWhitey · 20-04-2021 09:40AM

Has anyone else had difficulty getting a response from the Clearance email address? I've emailed them over a week ago and usually PAS are very quick to respond to emails?

Tiafleur · 20-04-2021 10:42AM

EmmetWhitey wrote: »

Has anyone else had difficulty getting a response from the Clearance email address? I've emailed them over a week ago and usually PAS are very quick to respond to emails?

Yeah. I emailed PAS last Tuesday and just got a reply this morning. They’re usually much faster at responding so they must be quite busy at the moment.

Rally109 · 20-04-2021 11:38AM

Anyone gone the Irish language stream? Had an interview through Irish and wondering how long it takes to hear back

xxsammyxx085 · 20-04-2021 04:29PM

Got an email today to say they are interviewing for kilkenny, I am early 50's on the list there but would really prefare Carlow where I am late 20's on the list, would I be silly to pass the option to interview for kilkenny incase a carlow place doesn't arise before the panel ends?

Nigel Fairservice · 20-04-2021 05:27PM

xxsammyxx085 wrote: »

Got an email today to say they are interviewing for kilkenny, I am early 50's on the list there but would really prefare Carlow where I am late 20's on the list, would I be silly to pass the option to interview for kilkenny incase a carlow place doesn't arise before the panel ends?

The civil service presence in either county isn't really that big. You can take your chances and wait it out for Carlow and maybe end up with nothing or try and get placed in Kilkenny and apply for a mobility move to Carlow. Regional locations are difficult to get placed in. I'd probably focus on getting into the civil service first and worry about location after (if the commute isn't going to be too bad).

xxsammyxx085 · 21-04-2021 06:45AM

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

The civil service presence in either county isn't really that big. You can take your chances and wait it out for Carlow and maybe end up with nothing or try and get placed in Kilkenny and apply for a mobility move to Carlow. Regional locations are difficult to get placed in. I'd probably focus on getting into the civil service first and worry about location after (if the commute isn't going to be too bad).

Thank you!! I'm about 15 minutes from Carlow and 20 from Kilkenny so it's much of a muchness, I think I will chance it for Kilkenny on actually getting in first your right.

Nigel Fairservice · 21-04-2021 09:09AM

xxsammyxx085 wrote: »

Thank you!! I'm about 15 minutes from Carlow and 20 from Kilkenny so it's much of a muchness, I think I will chance it for Kilkenny on actually getting in first your right.

In that case I think definitely go with Kilkenny.

alanbyrne1982 · 21-04-2021 01:24PM

Hi guys, does anyone know what batch Dublin is working off

Vologda69 · 21-04-2021 07:17PM

What's Social Protection like in Covid times?

cvb03 · 21-04-2021 07:38PM

Really really busy but very enjoyable and interesting.

Lilywhite 1928 · 21-04-2021 08:45PM

Anyone know what it's like to work in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and whats involved? is it in kildare Street or is there other offices? does it have flexi time? Sorry for all the questions I went back through the thread and didn't see anyone getting assigned in that department.

shmeee · 21-04-2021 11:54PM

Vologda69 wrote: »

What's Social Protection like in Covid times?

Are all DSP offices now doing a 2 days in, 3 days WFH. (3 days in, 2 days WFH) rotation in the DSP now?

New laptops given to employees the last few weeks and the above shift pattern has started.

No flexi time at present. You work 7 hours in the office and 7 hours 24 mins at home.

Elliebeee · 22-04-2021 09:24AM

Anyone know how long standard e-vetting is taking to clear atm?

tinofapples · 22-04-2021 09:39AM

cvb03 wrote: »

Really really busy but very enjoyable and interesting.

Have they recruited off this panel in the last 10 months or are they filling voids by hiring "temporary" CO's ?

Lunab · 22-04-2021 10:05AM

Would anyone know where they are on numbers for full time in Sligo . Thanks

kitesurfguy · 22-04-2021 10:07AM

Anyone know what a Co would start off doing working for Revenue? Thanks!

Bicyclette · 22-04-2021 01:19PM

kitesurfguy wrote: »

Anyone know what a Co would start off doing working for Revenue? Thanks!

It depends on where you are working and what section. And you are unlikely to find out what section you will be in until after you start your induction training.

Have you an offer for Revenue and if so, where?

abbeybella · 22-04-2021 01:35PM

Just wondering if anyone that recently started in a department can advise how it is working remotely? Will be starting next month and it will be work from home until restrictions are lifted. Thanks ðŸ™‚

shmeee · 22-04-2021 04:52PM

Elliebeee wrote: »

Anyone know how long standard e-vetting is taking to clear atm?

Anywhere from 3-10 days TBH. May even clear in less. That was as of start of the year anyway. Didn't seem to be much of a delay.

shmeee · 22-04-2021 04:54PM

kitesurfguy wrote: »

Anyone know what a Co would start off doing working for Revenue? Thanks!

Until you are assigned a division / department. Impossible to give an answer TBH.

shmeee · 22-04-2021 04:56PM

abbeybella wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone that recently started in a department can advise how it is working remotely? Will be starting next month and it will be work from home until restrictions are lifted. Thanks &#55357;&#56898;

What department are you going to be based in?

Equipment is provided to work from home, phones / laptops / monitors etc.

Training can be completed remotely through skype / voice over powerpoint slides.

Some departments may not see the inside of an office until next year, if ever again at all.

abbeybella · 22-04-2021 04:59PM

shmeee wrote: »

What department are you going to be based in?

Equipment is provided to work from home, phones / laptops / monitors etc.

Training can be completed remotely through skype / voice over powerpoint slides.

Some departments may not see the inside of an office until next year, if ever again at all.

Thanks for the information. The department of children youth and integration.

mmerton365 · 22-04-2021 08:46PM

abbeybella wrote: »

Thanks for the information. The department of children youth and integration.

I work in this department. Welcome!

You'll be in the office for an hour on your first day and given instructions on how the systems work on your laptop. You'll head home and in the afternoon you'll have an induction meeting with HR and then your Line Manager. You'll be brought through what your tasks will be and generally eased into it in the first couple of weeks.

Everyone is really nice, and approachable through Skype or email.

Shoot me a DM if you have anymore questions and I'd be glad to answer them.

Vologda69 · 22-04-2021 10:28PM

shmeee wrote: »

Anywhere from 3-10 days TBH. May even clear in less. That was as of start of the year anyway. Didn't seem to be much of a delay.

I got mine back in 5 days

whiskers77 · 23-04-2021 06:48AM

Hi All. Can someone please help!!! I am working atm and taking home approx €570 p/w job is very stressful though and just dont feel happy in it. I have been offered a CO position and I actually dont know what to do. What are the perks so to speak working in civil service as a co would I be silly to turn it down?? I applied for civil service march 20 and started my current job August 20.

Nekarsulm · 23-04-2021 06:57AM

Probably less stressful, but then we don't know what your current job is or what aspect of it is causing you stress.
As a CO on the first step of the ladder, you will be almost €10,000 a year worse off than you are at the moment ....

ellejay · 23-04-2021 09:46AM

whiskers77 wrote: »

Hi All. Can someone please help!!! I am working atm and taking home approx €570 p/w job is very stressful though and just dont feel happy in it. I have been offered a CO position and I actually dont know what to do. What are the perks so to speak working in civil service as a co would I be silly to turn it down?? I applied for civil service march 20 and started my current job August 20.

A couple of posters previously posted that they're taking the CO job even though they're taking a big drop in salary.
With standard paye and prsi rates I think the take-home pay is €412.
Someone might jump in and confirm this.

I've a couple of friends that took up positions and they're very happy.
The major benefit is flexitime and time off.
Next is the permanency of the job and thirdly is the pension (although I don't know the workings of this.)
They're all working with really nice teams and love it.
They're very busy and definitely isn't an easy ride as the media make it out.

The Civil Service is very structured, so everyone has a tittle and a role.
Pro's and Cons to that setup, but it means they all abide by the workplace rules and laws so from a stress point of view I don't think you'd be under much stress.
You also have the backing of the unions if there was a workplace dispute - a benefit I didn't think of.

Someone posted at the beginning of the thread that the Civil Service is the one body that isn't discriminatory and that's very true.
If you were happy with the drop in salary you could take the job in the CS and look around for a less stressful role in the private sector, it might take time and by then you might find you don't want to move.

abbeybella · 23-04-2021 11:06AM

mmerton365 wrote: »

I work in this department. Welcome!

You'll be in the office for an hour on your first day and given instructions on how the systems work on your laptop. You'll head home and in the afternoon you'll have an induction meeting with HR and then your Line Manager. You'll be brought through what your tasks will be and generally eased into it in the first couple of weeks.

Everyone is really nice, and approachable through Skype or email.

Shoot me a DM if you have anymore questions and I'd be glad to answer them.

Thanks for the information, all so new with remote working. Know what to expect nowðŸ™‚ðŸ‘

Clerical Officer 2020

Comments