NEW 2022 Assistant Principal Competition - Open and Interdepartmental

Well done, unfortunately for me my Department has no vacancies so I’ll likely have to leave when I see what I’m offered.

Yes, I had my interview last week of Jan 2024, on the Interd and open panels. Sent in my clearance yesterday, my current Dept has no vacancies either.

Glad that I got through the 3 stages on this occasion.

Well done, that's great to hear. I hope you get a good post!

Thanks. It's fortnightly

Well done and best of luck

Is this correct in terms of numbers? I am between 995-1111 and have heard nothing at all from PAS?

Got the results of shortlisting today. Extremely disappointed that I failed on all areas except one.

I already was getting myself in the mindset for the analysis exercise and interview so I am gutted. This is the first time in over ten years that I haven't been shortlisted for a competition (AO/HEO/AP - several of each)

Been there before with a HEO competition. It's not a nice feeling to go down on such a small margin. I'd almost prefer to fail spectacularly than go down on one competency.

What I would say is stick in an informal appeal. Worst they'll do is say no. If it's what you want to do though, be quick. I think you've only 5 days to submit an informal appeal.

Thanks for the advice - I will definitely consider doing this.

Just to point out, I failed on all areas except one. The one I passed, I only got the pass score!

I can understand it if it were my first AP application, but with nearly 9 years as HEO and about 5 AP competitions under my belt - it gets more frustrating

I'm so sorry to hear this. How frustrating. Go again. Best of luck

Hi, I just got the email to say I may be called for interview. I had totally written this off. Can someone please advise what is involved at the next stage and any advise on how to prepare ?

You will have a strategic analysis exercise & interview all on the same day. Topics given maybe 2 weeks before. Check out Programme for Government. You will get 4 topics from this. Choose one. Analyse the policy, 2 page report & 4 slide PowerPoint. I used the SWOT method. 10 mins of questions on your presentation things like why you chose it, how Ireland compares to other countries, & probing your findings. Break it down, its not as bad as it sounds. Include the competencies & key skills. For interview just know your examples inside out. The Board will guide you.

I'm the same, I live 100km from Dublin. This is the first I'm hearing of that rule for certain depts and that wouldn't be feasible for me. I think if I was offered a position in such a dept, I would have to turn it down ☹️ Do they tell you the WFH arrangements when they first offer you a position? Also, I'm assuming if you turn down your first offer (open stream), you are then completely out of the competition? They hardly offer you a second position on open stream? Or can you turn down the first location offer and wait for an offer on the second location choice, if it arises?

I got a provisional offer from PAS by email. They asked if I'd like to contact the new Dept directly for further info before deciding. Of course I said yes. Took about a week for someone to call me. I was told 2 days in the office and so i accepted.

Perhaps we could share on here our knowledge of Depts blended working policies? I don't know if that's allowed. I find HR don't always know & that its down to different business areas and business needs.

I think an organisation can state specific skills they might like a candidate to have but at the end of the day they have to take next on the panel. There might be some wriggle room if there is a batch being assigned at the same time. Probably more chance on a Dublin panel but for the smaller counties I think the chance of skills matching is slim.