Clerical Officer 2020

Recently started as CO and noticed I'm way over qualified/ experienced for the role. I have management experience and a masters I'm on the EO panel but doubt I'll get called.

My question is what are peoples plans I wanna get to 40-50k fairly fast. Is it worth applying for staff officers in Coco or maybe admin officer in CS?

Any tips I'm open to move around in roles and learn new things but wanna stay public sector.

What OOM were you If you don’t mind me asking?

For the Print and Mail? That’s not what I signed up for. I specifically said my girlfriend is due soon in my interview, them hours are useless to me. I didn’t apply for a job working with machines.

Try and get involved in any projects or working groups in your area/office. Talk up in meetings and voice suggestions and ask questions but be careful not to come across as though you are too good for CO work, because you will rub people up the wrong way! Make as many connections as you can and if there is no project work in your area, you might find through your connections of some work you can get involved in. All connections and new work, will help build up your internal public service CV as such.

Yes, you may have years of experience and a masters, which will stand to you and I'm not taking that away from you, but you have to see that the way PS works or has more red tape than the private sector. I'm not saying this to be harsh, I came into PS as a CO over 13 years ago with many years of Management behind me and was initially very frustrated, that my opinions or suggestions weren't immediately taken on board or I couldn't implement a suggestion straight away without going up the chain of command.

You have your foot in the door, in 2 years you can apply for EO, HEO, AO even AP, both internally or interdepartmentally. In the meantime you can also apply on any open competition for EO, AO or AP....you can even apply for PO if you wish!

I am in the same position as you, I would advise you to take part in as many projects as you can and apply for OneLearning courses that you have an interest in. I know some aspects of them may have been covered in your masters etc. however they are good to do to keep you in learning mode and add to your continuous professional development. They could be a good talking point at both internal/external interviews too. Keep an eye on Publicjobs, Local Authorities, HSE recruitment, etc. Not sure what part of the country you are in but Sigmar, Lex Consultancy and HAYs recruitment sometimes advertise permanent EO and HEO jobs. Check out https://www.cpsa.ie/guidance-for-public-bodie/recruitment-agencies/ for the full list of public service recruiters. Here's hoping 2022 brings us new job opportunities. Best of luck.

Hi,

Could I know your OOM for cork pls.

Thanks.

Hi,

I was batch 16, oom 34

Has anyone been assigned to the CSO in Cork? Or know what it’s like working there?

12 weeks for me and I lived abroad so that held things up a bit on my side.

Hi all,

I'm due to start my placement in July after my ML ends. I was just wondering if hybrid working will be an option at that stage or will there be an option to work x amount of days at home?

Thanks in advance

Hi @shmeee

Thanks for the reply 😊. I'll keep an eye out for any updates in the coming weeks/months.

Hopefully some sort of blended work would be great to cut out some travel into the city centre each week.

So I got offered position as a CO.

HR emailed me to say that it could take up to 4 weeks before PeoplePoint put me on payroll, and that I should make financial contingency plans for this possibility.

How long did it take after starting before other CO's got paid for the first time?

Usually you get paid the 2nd week of work, so Friday week after starting. Never heard of it taking up to 4 weeks. Maybe covering themselves? (short staff at present etc)