Principal Officer competition 2019

ShellyMCD · 07-05-2021 7:03pm

froggiegirls wrote: »

So 13? If so I should be next ? I was getting worried that they had forgotten about me if they were already at 15 . Phew !

It can’t be long now till they reach you.

froggiegirls · 07-05-2021 7:04pm

ShellyMCD wrote: »

It can’t be long now till they reach you.

Fingers crossed

Tangtastic · 07-05-2021 9:45pm

Nautilus support wrote: »

Hi Everyone, would anyone be able to tell me when the third batch was invited to the next stage?
I may be called if there's a 4th one, so just curious as there are another 9 months before this panel expires..

24th March

everycloud · 10-05-2021 3:09am

froggiegirls wrote: »

So 13? If so I should be next ? I was getting worried that they had forgotten about me if they were already at 15 . Phew !

Glad I asked. When I emailed PAS I was told that there are seven ahead of me which would put it at 15/16 which clearly isn't the case. Good to be able to double-check in this forum!

Regularreggie · 11-05-2021 10:30pm

Any idea how many fail the presentation? I know roughly half of the 50 called in batch 2 made it to the panel. But I was wondering which was tougher to pass the interview or the presentation

froggiegirls · 12-05-2021 12:10pm

Regularreggie wrote: »

Any idea how many fail the presentation? I know roughly half of the 50 called in batch 2 made it to the panel. But I was wondering which was tougher to pass the interview or the presentation

No idea how many fail the presentation but I found my marks were much higher in the interview than presentation.

karlitob · 12-05-2021 12:22pm

froggiegirls wrote: »

No idea how many fail the presentation but I found my marks were much higher in the interview than presentation.

Jaysus - I don’t have much slack then!!!!!

Maralva · 12-05-2021 6:11pm

Just out of my presentation. I had a lot of problems filling the docs in the administrator screen. Anyone else?

terminatorX1 · 12-05-2021 7:16pm

Maralva wrote: »

Just out of my presentation. I had a lot of problems filling the docs in the administrator screen. Anyone else?

I had significant lag typing in mine - it was extremely off putting.

Maybenever · 13-05-2021 8:56am

terminatorX1 wrote: »

I had significant lag typing in mine - it was extremely off putting.

I had the same issue but still made it through, so don't let it get to you.

froggiegirls · 13-05-2021 9:00am

terminatorX1 wrote: »

I had significant lag typing in mine - it was extremely off putting.

Can I ask - was the lag in typing into the word doc or the PowerPoint doc or both ?

terminatorX1 · 13-05-2021 9:30am

froggiegirls wrote: »

Can I ask - was the lag in typing into the word doc or the PowerPoint doc or both ?

It was both but more noticeable with word.

I'm not going to blame that should I not get through, these things can happen in day to day work.

I'm more of a pen & paper type!

froggiegirls · 13-05-2021 10:20am

Pas have offered up to no 14 on the Dublin panel

Tangtastic · 13-05-2021 6:16pm

froggiegirls wrote: »

Pas have offered up to no 14 on the Dublin panel

Doesn’t that mean congrats are in order?

froggiegirls · 13-05-2021 8:58pm

Tangtastic wrote: »

Doesn’t that mean congrats are in order?

It does indeed lol :-)

Tangtastic · 13-05-2021 9:13pm

froggiegirls wrote: »

It does indeed lol :-)

Aw well done! All the time and effort was worth it. Best of luck with it ; )

froggiegirls · 13-05-2021 9:32pm

Tangtastic wrote: »

Aw well done! All the time and effort was worth it. Best of luck with it ; )

Thanks a million. I’m chuffed

ShellyMCD · 13-05-2021 11:30pm

froggiegirls wrote: »

It does indeed lol :-)

Congrats and best of luck in your new role.

Belfry2018 · 14-05-2021 7:54am

froggiegirls wrote: »

It does indeed lol :-)

Congrats and Best of Luck. If anyone is interetsed in setting up a PO network for nelwy promotoed POs let me know, it would be good to have people in simialr positions to get advice from. I have a few spots to go but nearly there.

karlitob · 14-05-2021 1:14pm

Stage 4. Done.

Ah - not the most articulate but not sure I could’ve done any better. Thanks to everyone. Appreciate the help.

everycloud · 15-05-2021 7:35am

Belfry2018 wrote: »

Congrats and Best of Luck. If anyone is interetsed in setting up a PO network for nelwy promotoed POs let me know, it would be good to have people in simialr positions to get advice from. I have a few spots to go but nearly there.

I would definitely be interested in being part of a newbie PO network, great idea thanks.

Tr1ckieD1ckie · 15-05-2021 11:25am

everycloud wrote: »

I would definitely be interested in being part of a newbie PO network, great idea thanks.

About 7 months in as a PO (new entrant to the service)- assigned to a crazy busy unit/department- so happy to share some experiences if that's helpful to others

Belfry2018 · 15-05-2021 12:28pm

Tr1ckieD1ckie wrote: »

About 7 months in as a PO (new entrant to the service)- assigned to a crazy busy unit/department- so happy to share some experiences if that's helpful to others

After 7 months is it what you expected? I’m nearly assigned and I’ll set up a group I’d say within the next two weeks for anyone interested. I came from private sector in 2004 to the CS and have been in it since. Hope it’s going well and you like it.

froggiegirls · 17-05-2021 1:30am

Belfry2018 wrote: »

Congrats and Best of Luck. If anyone is interetsed in setting up a PO network for nelwy promotoed POs let me know, it would be good to have people in simialr positions to get advice from. I have a few spots to go but nearly there.

I’d deffo be interested in that

Maybenever · 17-05-2021 9:45am

froggiegirls wrote: »

I’d deffo be interested in that

Congrats on the promo, nice to see the progression through the thread from people fretting to the relief of the call from PAS!

Finger's crossed I'll get one (this time).

Tangtastic · 17-05-2021 6:56pm

Does anyone know how long more the current Stage 4 presentations will be happening? I did mine today.

Regularreggie · 17-05-2021 8:26pm

Based on board member details today was last day.

Noprobs · 18-05-2021 12:43pm

The wait is on... again...
Hated the presentation aspect!

Tr1ckieD1ckie · 19-05-2021 5:02pm

Belfry2018 wrote: »

After 7 months is it what you expected? I’m nearly assigned and I’ll set up a group I’d say within the next two weeks for anyone interested. I came from private sector in 2004 to the CS and have been in it since. Hope it’s going well and you like it.

It's a great question. I came from an organisation in a similar (but not public) sector so the culture change has not been too dramatic.

On the positive note, pretty much everyone I've met has been very welcoming and you get a genuine sense that people wish you well and want to see you succeed in the role.

Against that, it's been very pressurised and you're expected to get up to speed and start making an informed and meaningful contribution immediately. Given the scale of operations/budgets, there are deficiencies in the information systems to support decision making and as far as I can see there is limited availability of procedure documentation so you just have to roll up your sleeves, use your situational analysis skills and make the best of it.

I was fortunate to have access to the person who was in my role for a long time previously and while I was keen not to be a nuisance to them, on a couple of occasions it was very useful to be able to bounce things off them.

I have a good team who've been a huge support however teams seem to be in a constant stage of change with mobility moves and promotions which can be a risk in losing organisational knowledge.

Working from home during the pandemic introduces a further challenge which increases the level of social distance- I've 11 in my Unit and I've only met one of them in person. But it's amazing how quickly you get to build a relationship with colleagues when you talk to them every day via video conferencing

Finally, I would say work/life balance is a problem with a very significant volume of work coming at you at pace and the need to provide a detailed and reasoned response much faster than you would in other organisations.

All in all it's been a positive and rewarding experience albeit pressurised and challenging (assuming I get through my probation ok) with lots of opportunities to make a difference... and you get a lot of latitude to develop and implement plans in your allocated area of responsibility... and if what you propose isn't sensible the powers that be won't be reticent to call this out.

everycloud · 21-05-2021 11:14am

Tr1ckieD1ckie wrote: »

It's a great question. I came from an organisation in a similar (but not public) sector so the culture change has not been too dramatic.

On the positive note, pretty much everyone I've met has been very welcoming and you get a genuine sense that people wish you well and want to see you succeed in the role.

Against that, it's been very pressurised and you're expected to get up to speed and start making an informed and meaningful contribution immediately. Given the scale of operations/budgets, there are deficiencies in the information systems to support decision making and as far as I can see there is limited availability of procedure documentation so you just have to roll up your sleeves, use your situational analysis skills and make the best of it.

I was fortunate to have access to the person who was in my role for a long time previously and while I was keen not to be a nuisance to them, on a couple of occasions it was very useful to be able to bounce things off them.

I have a good team who've been a huge support however teams seem to be in a constant stage of change with mobility moves and promotions which can be a risk in losing organisational knowledge.

Working from home during the pandemic introduces a further challenge which increases the level of social distance- I've 11 in my Unit and I've only met one of them in person. But it's amazing how quickly you get to build a relationship with colleagues when you talk to them every day via video conferencing

Finally, I would say work/life balance is a problem with a very significant volume of work coming at you at pace and the need to provide a detailed and reasoned response much faster than you would in other organisations.

All in all it's been a positive and rewarding experience albeit pressurised and challenging (assuming I get through my probation ok) with lots of opportunities to make a difference... and you get a lot of latitude to develop and implement plans in your allocated area of responsibility... and if what you propose isn't sensible the powers that be won't be reticent to call this out.

Thank you Tr1ckie D1ckie for taking the time to update us on your experience over the last few months. You've answered a lot of questions/concerns I've had myself so it's hugely useful to read how you've found the transition. Thanks again and continued good luck with it, sounds like they got a great new PO ;-)

Belfry2018 · 24-05-2021 11:35am

Morning, does anyone have an update yet on what number they maybe at? Last account was no.14?!?
Thanks

karlitob · 25-05-2021 3:25pm

Any idea when we’ll hear about the stage 4 presentation?

Noprobs · 25-05-2021 3:40pm

Hopefully soon, they must be finished by now.

Regularreggie · 25-05-2021 4:29pm

Though it would be yesterday or today. Presentations for Stage 4 was scheduled to finish Monday and there has usually been a 6 or 7 day turnaround for results. Wondering if maybe ICT or other issues extending the timelines.

Nautilus support · 25-05-2021 5:00pm

karlitob wrote: »

Any idea when we’ll hear about the stage 4 presentation?

Heya, Is this the last stage for people in Batch 3 or do you still have to do your final interview?

karlitob · 25-05-2021 5:26pm

Nautilus support wrote: »

Heya, Is this the last stage for people in Batch 3 or do you still have to do your final interview?

Christ I hope it’s the last. Stage 3 was interview. Stage 4 presentation.

Nautilus support · 25-05-2021 5:30pm

karlitob wrote: »

Christ I hope it’s the last. Stage 3 was interview. Stage 4 presentation.

yes definitely the last then!

terminatorX1 · 26-05-2021 3:03pm

Results are out for stage 4 - I passed (just about). Scores were very high on one competency the other two borderline.

Thanks to all here for the information and guidance

ShellyMCD · 26-05-2021 3:08pm

terminatorX1 wrote: »

Results are out for stage 4 - I passed (just about). Scores were very high on one competency the other two borderline.

Thanks to all here for the information and guidance

Congrats! Heard PAS have contacted people further down the original list to see if they are still interested in the competition. Might mean more batches will be called for video interview. A good sign for all who have made the panel today.

froggiegirls · 26-05-2021 4:12pm

So I’ve just heard that pas have been in contact with people to say they may be calling a fourth batch from this comp forward to the next stages

bobbyss · 26-05-2021 6:18pm

I gather there are exam competitions for jobs in the C Service eg Ex and Adm Officer. I wouldn't mind having a look at them to see what they are about. Are sample papers on line. Where could i see them?

Tangtastic · 26-05-2021 7:51pm

ShellyMCD wrote: »

Congrats! Heard PAS have contacted people further down the original list to see if they are still interested in the competition. Might mean more batches will be called for video interview. A good sign for all who have made the panel today.

That is interesting indeed! I’m happy after today’s results.

Nautilus support · 27-05-2021 10:17am

Does anyone know already how many are on the panel for the last batch?

part time punk · 27-05-2021 12:08pm

ShellyMCD wrote: »

Congrats! Heard PAS have contacted people further down the original list to see if they are still interested in the competition. Might mean more batches will be called for video interview. A good sign for all who have made the panel today.

Yeah I got the message yesterday. Any idea roughly what numbers on the original order of merit from the first online assessment that they have been going through up to now. Think they'd need to work through a lot before they get to where I am. Thanks

Nautilus support · 27-05-2021 12:52pm

part time punk wrote: »

Yeah I got the message yesterday. Any idea roughly what numbers on the original order of merit from the first online assessment that they have been going through up to now. Think they'd need to work through a lot before they get to where I am. Thanks

754

Tangtastic · 27-05-2021 1:33pm

I contacted PAS today and there are 9 candidates remaining on the panel for Dublin from the batches prior to the panel announced yesterday.

part time punk · 27-05-2021 4:04pm

Nautilus support wrote: »

754

Thanks, am in the 800s so they could get to me conceivably.

karlitob · 27-05-2021 6:39pm

Tangtastic wrote: »

I contacted PAS today and there are 9 candidates remaining on the panel for Dublin from the batches prior to the panel announced yesterday.

Thanks for this. Any idea at what pace they’re getting through the panel? I presume they must feel that not only will batch 2 be taken but also batch 3 or they wouldn’t have progressed to batch 4?

Uriel. · 27-05-2021 7:52pm

Tr1ckieD1ckie wrote: »

It's a great question. I came from an organisation in a similar (but not public) sector so the culture change has not been too dramatic.

On the positive note, pretty much everyone I've met has been very welcoming and you get a genuine sense that people wish you well and want to see you succeed in the role.

Against that, it's been very pressurised and you're expected to get up to speed and start making an informed and meaningful contribution immediately. Given the scale of operations/budgets, there are deficiencies in the information systems to support decision making and as far as I can see there is limited availability of procedure documentation so you just have to roll up your sleeves, use your situational analysis skills and make the best of it.

I was fortunate to have access to the person who was in my role for a long time previously and while I was keen not to be a nuisance to them, on a couple of occasions it was very useful to be able to bounce things off them.

I have a good team who've been a huge support however teams seem to be in a constant stage of change with mobility moves and promotions which can be a risk in losing organisational knowledge.

Working from home during the pandemic introduces a further challenge which increases the level of social distance- I've 11 in my Unit and I've only met one of them in person. But it's amazing how quickly you get to build a relationship with colleagues when you talk to them every day via video conferencing

Finally, I would say work/life balance is a problem with a very significant volume of work coming at you at pace and the need to provide a detailed and reasoned response much faster than you would in other organisations.

All in all it's been a positive and rewarding experience albeit pressurised and challenging (assuming I get through my probation ok) with lots of opportunities to make a difference... and you get a lot of latitude to develop and implement plans in your allocated area of responsibility... and if what you propose isn't sensible the powers that be won't be reticent to call this out.

This is a normal enough experience and goes with the territory. There's a high level of expectation from day 1 and you sink or swim. Departments could and should do better at supporting staff and new appointees (at all grades). The move to a more professional HR function in theory should have started to address some of these issues but progress has been patchy.

Like any open competition it is pure luck where you end up. Depending on whether you have sights set for A/Sec and Sec Gen level, you're better off being in a high profile busy and complex area. Work life balance is a huge concern but the job pays up to €110k per annum so a lot is expected in return.

Tangtastic · 27-05-2021 9:48pm

karlitob wrote: »

Thanks for this. Any idea at what pace they’re getting through the panel? I presume they must feel that not only will batch 2 be taken but also batch 3 or they wouldn’t have progressed to batch 4?

Seems to be in fits and starts from what I can make out. Not much movement in recent weeks. Calling a 4th batch might indicate that they envisage there will be a lot of movement in the 2nd half of this year or they intend to extend the life of the panel for this competition well into 2022.

Principal Officer competition 2019

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