New 2021 Assistant Principal in the Civil Service

@Kenrach what batch are you from. Trying to judge how fast or slow the OOM is moving at. Thanks.

The counties would be referred to in the invitation to stage 2 sent by PAS.

I did mine yesterday, there was no part where you introduced yourself, there was some practice questions (not viewable by Pas just for your own experience) then it went into the main interview.

Also in the familiarisation material they said it was fine to refer to notes momentarily during the interview

Best of luck. Also of note is the time goes quick.

PAS will call counties where they intend to establish a panel. I had Dublin and Louth down and was called due to Dublin choice. There's no panel established for Louth.

What does this cover?

I have no idea what county I have been called for, the correspondence does not say! I applied for Westmeath and Roscommon!

Had the same experience, went to fast in one and got flustered on another and started reading from notes. Chalking up to experience for other Competitions!

Anyone else get results on the 25th May? The wait is killing me.

Hey everyone, I submitted the video interview yesterday - can anyone tell me what the next stage is please ? I assumed that it if I am successful the next stage would be interview, but reading back on this thread I can see a lot writing about a strategic analysis report.

Thanks so much, slightly confused here !

When you get through this round, PAS will send you requirements for the strategic analysis exercise. You will have 7 days to choose topic, research and produce a 2 page report/5 slide slidedeck from the 3 options you are given (from programme for government). You submit this in advance of your interview and on the day the interview starts with you presenting for 10 mins and then q&a from the board for 10 mins.

There’s no set typical day for an AP or really any grade as it’s heavily dependent on the role you’re assigned.

In policy areas an AP may have 2/3 staff and be responsible for overseeing a particular stream or policy area and would be involved in drafting and approving policy documents, PQ responses or helping with drafting legislation or SI’s.

In operational areas an AP could have 60 staff and part of their role would involve staff management, providing direction, setting out strategy for the area, approving and drafting responses for PQ’s briefings, topical issues and so on. They may also have a role in developing schemes and criteria.

In general AP’s are required to attend meetings and be able to make sound decisions quickly and act as a link between junior and senior management. They would have a significant level of responsibility in any Department and support Senior Management in pulling together information for PAC meetings and Ministerial briefings.

There is a big difference in roles between Departments too so what an AP in one Department is expected to do may be covered by 2 AP’s or a HEO in another Department.

The early days of the role will involve a lot of time to get up to speed so expect to put the hours in initially. I think those from the private sector coming in at this level struggle most at the start as they lack the background process knowledge that those in the CS would have such as how PQ’s/ LQ’s are processed and just how a Dept functions.

When you find out where you’re being assigned contact your manager and look for documentation that you can read up on to get an understanding of the area. When you start, find out what the priorities for the area are and time scales for completing any projects.

Hope that’s of some help. Good luck

Thanks so much, that's cleared my confusion !

Placed towards the top but no word yet for me anyway