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Third Secretary & Development Specialist Campaign 2020

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    #602
    CrouchTiger
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭CrouchTiger


    blithe wrote: »
    Thanks for this insight! Forgive my ignorance, what does 'circulated for posting' mean?


    So getting posted isn't totally automatic. A certain number of eligible Third Secs get "circulated" notice of postings, which gives them a sense that it's their turn to go. However it's no guarantee and there are usually people who get circulated notice, apply for a post, and don't get it because they are too far down the pecking order. If you're not circulated at all, it shows you're so far down the order that you're not being considered a likely postee. Anyone can apply to go on posting, but those who have been circulated are probably the most likely to get the nod.


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    #603
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    So is the "pecking order" is decided by when you started work at DFA? If so, this is quite annoying as I was well-ranked in the competition but have a long notice period in my current job. I would hope that qualifications, languages and experience count too.


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    #604
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Any info on when DFA will be back in the office in Dublin?


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    #605
    CrouchTiger
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭CrouchTiger


    threesecs wrote: »
    So is the "pecking order" is decided by when you started work at DFA? If so, this is quite annoying as I was well-ranked in the competition but have a long notice period in my current job. I would hope that qualifications, languages and experience count too.


    Yeah, seniority is now determined by date of entry. This changed for the 2019 intake but was specified this time around too. If you want to be further up the list, I'd start as soon as you can. Language skills definitely matter when getting posted. If you speak a specific language nobody else does and there's a posting available, you'd certainly have a strong case for priority. In terms of experience and qualifications, most of your colleagues also have this in impressive quantities, so it probably won't factor. Seniority seems to be the main factor (but absolutely not the only factor) so I'd focus on starting ASAP to give yourself the best chance of going earlier.


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    #606
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Not a great system, in my opinion.. Anyway, will cross that bridge when I come to it.


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    #607
    CrouchTiger
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭CrouchTiger


    threesecs wrote: »
    Not a great system, in my opinion.. Anyway, will cross that bridge when I come to it.


    This is a good idea in general... there is a huge amount you don't control in this job and you have to make your peace with that. The worst thing you can do is set your heart of going on posting at a certain time or to a certain location, there's a very good chance neither will work out the way you intend. That's not to say you won't get amazing opportunities, but as a Third Sec, very good to be realistic about how little you matter in the general scheme of things.


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    #608
    maviesk
    Registered Users Posts: 27 ✭maviesk


    While I agree with some of what CrouchTiger has said, I feel like I should add in some notes of optimism.

    While significant numbers of third secs have joined recently, it's not the first time there have been 'bottlenecks' - these have happened from time to time in the past. They do sort themselves out.

    People will get promoted (new internal promotion competition for first sec just announced for example), new missions are opening and new third sec positions may be created at existing missions. You do get people moving on to the private sector and transferring to other departments as well.

    So it's absolutely not set in stone that you'll be waiting 3 years.. 2 is realistic depending on how fussy you are with your choices, and all things considered, not a terrible wait considering the perks of the job.


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    #609
    Murpl
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭Murpl


    Did anyone get an indication of when the results will issue?


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    #610
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    Murpl wrote: »
    Did anyone get an indication of when the results will issue?

    For the batch 2 interviews? They said they'll be ongoing to the end of this week and results should be out around two weeks after that.


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    #611
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    Heads up to everyone who did a batch 2 interview, results seem to be out! Extremely quick this time?


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    #612
    Murpl
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭Murpl


    blithe wrote: »
    Heads up to everyone who did a batch 2 interview, results seem to be out! Extremely quick this time?

    AO was the same. Does anyone know where they’re at with the first panel?


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    #613
    pluggedout
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭pluggedout


    Anyone know how big the panel is?


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    #614
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    Wonder what the odds would be of them starting clearance on the second panel before the end of summer.....that would be nice haha


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    #615
    Murpl
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭Murpl


    blithe wrote: »
    Wonder what the odds would be of them starting clearance on the second panel before the end of summer.....that would be nice haha

    I asked PAS how many are before me and the number given ahead of me indicates that they’ve already cleared the first panel.


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    #616
    emhds
    Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭emhds


    Murpl wrote: »
    I asked PAS how many are before me and the number given ahead of me indicates that they’ve already cleared the first panel.

    Any chance of being able to share what that figure is? Would be nice to know a ballpark figure


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    #617
    Murpl
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭Murpl


    emhds wrote: »
    Any chance of being able to share what that figure is? Would be nice to know a ballpark figure

    I was just given them number of people ahead of me on the second panel? There’s no one left to be called from the first panel, and they haven’t started calling from the second one yet.


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    #618
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    emhds wrote: »
    Any chance of being able to share what that figure is? Would be nice to know a ballpark figure

    I was told that everyone on the first panel had been offered a position and they were waiting to hear back from the DFA about how many more vacancies there were/moving onto the second panel. Hopefully there'll be movement again soon :)


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    #619
    Emsfeafaz
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Emsfeafaz


    Has anyone applied to the Political Division internship in DFA and heard back? Has anyone received the written test yet?


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    #620
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 238 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Emsfeafaz wrote: »
    Has anyone applied to the Political Division internship in DFA and heard back? Has anyone received the written test yet?

    I put in an application but heard nothing back. At this stage, I kinda just imagine they went with other options.


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    #621
    Emsfeafaz
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Emsfeafaz


    exitstageleft wrote: »
    I put in an application but heard nothing back. At this stage, I kinda just imagine they went with other options.

    Just odd that heard nothing back. They were supposed to send a written test.


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    #622
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    Emsfeafaz wrote: »
    Just odd that heard nothing back. They were supposed to send a written test.

    I applied for the graduate policy officer position back in February and only heard back this month, so it's possible it's just very slow-going. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you shot them an email just to check though! It's tough waiting in limbo


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    #623
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 238 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Emsfeafaz wrote: »
    Has anyone applied to the Political Division internship in DFA and heard back? Has anyone received the written test yet?

    They've sent emails today announcing that, due to the number of applicants, they've had to long-list before shortlisting. That's now done and next they'll shortlist for interviews.


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    #624
    Emsfeafaz
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Emsfeafaz


    exitstageleft wrote: »
    They've sent emails today announcing that, due to the number of applicants, they've had to long-list before shortlisting. That's now done and next they'll shortlist for interviews.

    Thank you yes I just got an email about that. Thank you.


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    #625
    pluggedout
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭pluggedout


    Has anyone been called for clearance yet?


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    #626
    dory
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,480 Mod ✭✭✭✭dory


    I had an interview last week for the Education Officer job. Really thought I would have heard by now. Reading the above it seems that they're a bit behind with a few things. Is a week after an interview normal? I did a terrible interview so am expecting nothing, but would still be good to draw a line under it and move on.


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    #627
    AvaSatiVaLomu
    Registered Users Posts: 26 ✭AvaSatiVaLomu


    How did everyone else find that take-home exam for the DFA Political Division internship? I didn't really know to expect, seeing as I never made the precis exercise for the Third Sec competition - I imagine that was the same testing level?

    It took me about 20 minutes just to read the Security Council meeting minutes, so I barely got round to the second task. I submitted on time - just about - but never correctly formatted the document as requested with bullet points, boldening, or a correct title. I'm feeling pretty dejected about my prospects. Responding to a single 20 page document would have been a challenge in an hour, but I would have done well. Responding to two was pretty impossible. I can see what they're aiming to do - put you under big pressure to make you crack, and I guess I made an omelette.


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    #628
    Emsfeafaz
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Emsfeafaz


    AvaSatiVaLomu wrote: »
    How did everyone else find that take-home exam for the DFA Political Division internship? I didn't really know to expect, seeing as I never made the precis exercise for the Third Sec competition - I imagine that was the same testing level?

    It took me about 20 minutes just to read the Security Council meeting minutes, so I barely got round to the second task. I submitted on time - just about - but never correctly formatted the document as requested with bullet points, boldening, or a correct title. I'm feeling pretty dejected about my prospects. Responding to a single 20 page document would have been a challenge in an hour, but I would have done well. Responding to two was pretty impossible. I can see what they're aiming to do - put you under big pressure to make you crack, and I guess I made an omelette.

    It was tough - a lot to do in one hour. I am proud that I was able to finish and submit it on time but I don't think it was enough to pass. Wishing everyone the best of luck, and take it as a learning experience!


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    #629
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 238 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Emsfeafaz wrote: »
    It was tough - a lot to do in one hour. I am proud that I was able to finish and submit it on time but I don't think it was enough to pass. Wishing everyone the best of luck, and take it as a learning experience!

    I got the two tasks in on time and formatted correctly. The content was pretty hit and miss (mostly miss if I'm being honest). I'm hoping there were no trick interventions at the end of either document. I think it's close to an impossible task to do well, especially with two documents, so I guess they judge on best efforts. We'll find out in a few weeks I suppose.


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    #630
    exitstageleft
    Registered Users Posts: 238 ✭✭exitstageleft


    Regarding the DFA Political Division internship itself, does anyone know of someone who did the internship and went on to successfully make Third Secretary in an open competition?
    I guess I'm wondering about the value of the internship - does it offer any real advantage in future Third Secretary competitions?


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    #631
    blithe
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭blithe


    https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/the-netherlands/about-us/job-oportunities/vacancy-international-liaison-officer-.html

    Just spotted this. 1-year contract, International Liaison Officer at the embassy in the Hague. Might be of interest to people here :)


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