NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

TaurenDruid · 27-05-2021 11:37AM

starringme wrote: »

In any case I think it's a good chance to show the leadership/management sub competency of self reflection.

It might be, but it's not marked, so I wouldn't worry about it too much either way.

TaurenDruid · 27-05-2021 11:41AM

Awkwardstroke wrote: »

I also did it in the last hour or so...pretty unrealistic scenario IMHO and had my brain frazzled at the end of it.

What was the basic thrust of the scenario?

Last one I did (previous competition) was essentially "You've just joined this business unit. Here are some background documents on the work of the unit.

Your boss now wants you to write a review of the unit and - based on nothing else but an email and those docs - outline the challenges and the strategic direction we should be following."

Awkwardstroke · 28-05-2021 03:59AM

I think there is a few earlier posts here with useful information on the scenario.

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get the Etray results?

TaurenDruid wrote: »

What was the basic thrust of the scenario?

Last one I did (previous competition) was essentially "You've just joined this business unit. Here are some background documents on the work of the unit.

Your boss now wants you to write a review of the unit and - based on nothing else but an email and those docs - outline the challenges and the strategic direction we should be following."

derailed · 28-05-2021 06:53AM

Awkwardstroke wrote: »

I think there is a few earlier posts here with useful information on the scenario.

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get the Etray results?

Got my results for etray 12 days after sitting exercise. The way this competition is moving expect to hear back within 2 weeks.

Cheeseplant · 28-05-2021 09:11AM

Awkwardstroke wrote: »

I think there is a few earlier posts here with useful information on the scenario.

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get the Etray results?

I reckon 4th or 8th for results

Lux23 · 28-05-2021 09:26AM

Is there a list of questions for APO's available anywhere?

The headings are:

Strategy Management and Change
Delivering Results
Performance through People

Then there is personal effectiveness, but I assume I just need to match my qualifications and experience with the job spec for one.

Thank you!

Mbwb · 28-05-2021 09:39AM

Awkwardstroke wrote: »

I think there is a few earlier posts here with useful information on the scenario.

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get the Etray results?

Got my etray results exactly 12 days after closing date of etray (etray 4 Feb, results 16 Feb). Good luck!

Mbwb · 28-05-2021 09:45AM

Lux23 wrote: »

Is there a list of questions for APO's available anywhere?

The headings are:

Strategy Management and Change
Delivering Results
Performance through People

Then there is personal effectiveness, but I assume I just need to match my qualifications and experience with the job spec for one.

Thank you!

Hi, not sure what you mean by, 'is there a list of questions for AP?' What stage are you at? PAS send you familiarisation booklet for each stage, also look at the AP competency framework https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/PAS_CS_Competency_Models_2017.pdf

Whatever stage you are at, if you look back through this thread there is great help and advice.

Lux23 · 28-05-2021 10:36AM

I have been called for an interview; it isn't a panel though, it's a role in a state body.

I will take a look at the booklet; thank you!

Ravelleman · 28-05-2021 12:57PM

Lux23 wrote: »

Is there a list of questions for APO's available anywhere?

The headings are:

Strategy Management and Change
Delivering Results
Performance through People

Then there is personal effectiveness, but I assume I just need to match my qualifications and experience with the job spec for one.

Thank you!

These are the Public Service/County Council competencies, rather than the Civil Service competencies, by the look of it.

batman007 · 28-05-2021 03:29PM

Just got invited for a video interview, I know there is a wealth of information on this thread so won't look for top tips, haha!

caarp · 28-05-2021 04:21PM

batman007 wrote: »

Just got invited for a video interview, I know there is a wealth of information on this thread so won't look for top tips, haha!

Congrats, where have you been called for? I just got called too, for Wexford. Best of luck to you and as you said, there is so much great information available on this thread.

batman007 · 28-05-2021 04:46PM

First choice Dublin and second choice Offaly. Is there a way to know which it's for?

The Student · 28-05-2021 05:02PM

Also just got called for interview for Dublin. Best of luck to all.

crinkley · 28-05-2021 05:11PM

I got called too and I have galway and Westmeath down. I actually thought it was for the policy analyst AP role in waiting for an interview for until I saw the posts here and double checked

batman007 · 28-05-2021 05:42PM

HannahR31 wrote: »

I don't know how much I should admit to this but if you set up well you can fully read it and still look like you're looking at the camera... I had my answers on a word document on my laptop. I then used the laptop screen to prop up my phone to record the videos; so the answers were just to the right of the camera. I didn't intend to fully read the answers but I ended up doing pretty much that and I passed; have been an AP now for 4 weeks.

Pro-tip here

batman007 · 28-05-2021 05:46PM

Crimson_Ghost wrote: »

I submitted my video responses yesterday.

This was my approach.

Review the application form and update some examples.

Review the competencies (particularly Leadership, Management and Delivery of Results, and Analysis and Decision-making) so that I made sure my updated examples still hit all of the bullet points. I might have done it right, I might not. That's what I was aiming for anyway.)

Overviews were brief because I felt I was getting into too much detail. For management, I just mentioned I had direct reports in my units and explained how I managed their workload and priorities through the PMDS system. Then gave an example of last years achievements in terms of project outcomes.

Wrote out my answers as a script. The potential for me to start muddling even with bullet points is too high.

Practiced reading the script in as natural a manner as possible, while maintaining eye contact as much as possible with the camera. Like reading the news I suppose.

Timed my answers in practice. They came in around the 2:45 mark, but I sped up a bit in the real thing and one was barely over 2 minutes. I'd rather get the main points across and have time left then trying to cram too much into three minutes. Again, who knows how that will go down but I was comfortable with my responses.

So in all, I spent half a day preparing and then the 15 minutes to record the interviews. I feel good about it. If its not good enough, I think I can walk away happy at this stage. Not much more I could do.

Good luck to everyone. The main thing is to take whatever approach makes your relevant experience come across clearly.

As is this!

caarp · 28-05-2021 06:03PM

batman007 wrote: »

As is this!

Fair play Batman! And thank you so much too. You’re definitely the kind of team player I’d love to have on my team ðŸ˜
ETA, be part of your team ðŸ˜႒

mariagirl · 29-05-2021 06:16PM

Hi all, just wondering if anyone knows the name of the e-tray provider for this AP campaign? Thanks

DOM85 · 30-05-2021 04:04PM

mariagirl wrote: »

Hi all, just wondering if anyone knows the name of the e-tray provider for this AP campaign? Thanks

It’s PSI

Rainbowstar · 31-05-2021 03:03PM

Got called for video interview too. Thanks for the tips Batman!
Didn't think they'd get to my score yet but it appears they are stuck for APs from what I am hearing.

Rainbowstar · 31-05-2021 03:12PM

batman007 wrote: »

Pro-tip here

I am quite in awe of this. You wouldn't be looking in to the camera then as you'd be looking at the laptop screen? Must give it a whirl but I fear my eyes reading would be a giveaway.

crinkley · 01-06-2021 07:31AM

Rainbowstar wrote: »

I am quite in awe of this. You wouldn't be looking in to the camera then as you'd be looking at the laptop screen? Must give it a whirl but I fear my eyes reading would be a giveaway.

for another competition I managed to rest my phone on top of my monitor, (well the arm behind it that allows you to move the screen up and down) and did the exact same, its a bit like looking at your mobile screen it wont look like you're making eye contact unless you stare directly into the camera. I passed that one anyway and plan the same for this

Rainbowstar · 01-06-2021 07:35AM

crinkley wrote: »

for another competition I managed to rest my phone on top of my monitor, (well the arm behind it that allows you to move the screen up and down) and did the exact same, its a bit like looking at your mobile screen it wont look like you're making eye contact unless you stare directly into the camera. I passed that one anyway and plan the same for this

Thanks Crinkley - I'll have a go at a set up as the time that would save on learning it off.

Cheeseplant · 01-06-2021 08:27AM

Rainbowstar wrote: »

Thanks Crinkley - I'll have a go at a set up as the time that would save on learning it off.

I recorded on my phone propped up against my laptop screen. I had my script on the laptop screen. I "presented" it as I usually would on a zoom presentation by reading and looking back at the audience. It was obvious i was reading but I did also engage the camera every few sentences and when I reviewed it it looked exactly like a presentation.

starringme · 01-06-2021 09:58AM

I had notes around me which I thought I had memorised. I didn't want them to seem rehearsed so didn't set up to read. I forgot some stuff as a result but I looked more natural. From a comms POV I had loads of 'eh's as I tried to recall stuff so I wouldn't worry about that.

basically I don't think it matters at all whether you're reading what you prepared, memorised it or are freewheeling altogether if you have the material. Your memory isn't a competency

Awkwardstroke · 01-06-2021 11:09AM

I agree on this, reading your notes...(if the content is good) is fine in my opinion.

I did this (had to do the video interview on my smartphone due to IT issues with my laptop) and I got through to the subsequent stage (etray exercises).

Best of luck

Findlk · 01-06-2021 03:21PM

Did anyone get results from the most recent interviews that happened in the last two weeks? Seeking good news to keep me going till the etray results are out.

derailed · 01-06-2021 04:00PM

Findlk wrote: »

Did anyone get results from the most recent interviews that happened in the last two weeks? Seeking good news to keep me going till the etray results are out.

Still no news yet. 12 days on from my interview. Would like to know one way or another sooner rather than later.

Findlk · 01-06-2021 06:58PM

That's frustrating alright. Especially when previous rounds seemed to go so much quicker.

NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

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