NEW 2022 Assistant Principal Competition - Open and Interdepartmental

Thanks a million, great to have an idea of a timeline between notification and interview 👍

To add to the above folks, bit unsure of my self regarding the presentation too. Should the report be seen as a separate entity almost to the presentation? I don't want to read the report at them, but I'm fairly sure I saw someone say notes aren't allowed (although how they would police this I'm not sure as we'll be screen sharing). I don't mind talking around slides without notes normally but given the time is so tight and there are definite markers that need to be hit in terms of the competencies I think it needs more structure. Any advice from those of you that have been through this torture already would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much for that Swilly, that's great advice. I really am finding it very time consuming and as you say, getting the report down to 2 pages without the quality being compromised will be a challenge. I find it very hard to believe that anyone spending just 3 hours on this exercise (as recommended in the booklet) would have much hope of passing it!

The presentation should mirror the report. It is a tool to guide them through the report. So it should include bullet points from the report. It's all the same content. Pick the topic you know most about, concentrate on ONE policy or strategy and then just work your arse off reading the various documents published by govt on said topic, and wider discourse around topic. You're not expected to solve a complex problem in ten mins but you're expected to identify well thought out policy recommendations. If you can demonstrate that you've done that you'll be ok. Three hours is a joke, don't mind that! You'll be doing it morning noon and night for 7 days!! Rehearse your Powerpoint and get it under 10 mins. Keep slides simple and as little text as possible. A few sentences on each slide. Good luck!

No way, you're coming to DFHERIS? I'm only week 4 but very happy to meet or message me if you wish?

Hi all,

Just to follow up on my previous question, I sat my interview last Friday the board were friendly and in terms of the questions asked about the presentation they were straight forward...why did you pick this...what did you learn from the policy you reviewed...any surprises etc. Nothing to throw you off once you had the research done.

In terms of the interview - did not focus solely on the examples in the application form but rather give me an example of XYZ nothing to stop you discussing your example on the form but gave you freedom to maybe bring in other examples. All in all was happy with how I came across. Some time was spent on what I knew about the civil service values etc as I am coming from the outside and why I want to join etc. One thing that gave me pause was the review of your education to date -I was asked about a particular degree I had completed and asked what key elements of this could I bring with me into the role of an AP. Had to think about that one.

As for turn around time - I am not sure how long before I hear back on how I did. Regardless looking forward to requesting feedback as a learning tool going forward.

In the last interdepartmental AP competition i.e., 2022 was there an etray?

Hi All, I am going through clearance at the moment. Could anyone tell me at what point they tell you what department and role you'll be going to. I like the job I'm in at the moment but its a grade vii so would like to move up. I don't want to end up somewhere i don't enjoy though.

I had hoped that results would be out before the Easter having done the interview just over two week ago, hopefully next week!

Im 3.2 and got called for clearance this week. They seem to be moving quickly enough at the moment though.

Thank you , I hope there's no etray either in the next interdepartmental which presumably will be when the 2022 one expires at the end of October.

well done!

When they get to your oom number they will ask you to complete garda clearance. Once passed they will ask you if you want to accept an assignment of X Department, if you say yes they will assign you on their system. They generally give you a HR contact and that they will be in touch with you. You're new HR will go through signing a contract etc. and agreeing a start date.

@JSF223 got confirmation from PAS yesterday that they are still clearing batch 3.2 for the open panel. Seems to have slowed down a bit. Based off my placement at the start of March versus now, they only placed about 6 people last month. Hopefully will pick up for April!

Have seen October being mentioned as cut off for this competition. How come it's only 2 years from when advertised...are civil service panels not usually two years from 1st appointment? Which must have been in the new year 2023.

Can you ask to speak to someone in there before deciding? I did. Not familiar at all with that area sorry. Itd be so unfortunate to turn it down after all you've been through to get this far. I have ended up in an area very different to my previous experience as have many of my new colleagues. Its a huge learning curve & daunting at times but doable.

Thanks for that. I spoke with hr and it was an account manager role not procurement or policy. No match in any way to my skills and experience and complete opposite direction of where I want to go. Ive had to turn it down as I would rather stay ina role that I enjoy a grade lower than do something I have no interest in. Always knew this was a possibility but it's so frustrating they make you go through the effort of clearance and vetting before telling you the department and area. Its just a waste of everyone's time. I've been removed from the panel now and will need to reapply.

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Hi I’m in a similar situation for a region outside Dublin. Did you contact PAS?

I’ve also be given an OOM for Dublin. Does anyone know where they are in terms of calling people forward for clearance?

@countyireland12345 where did you get offered if you don’t mind me asking. I’m currently working in a policy area too and am worried about this happening as I’ve no interest in ops (though I knew it was a risk!)

I'm so sorry to hear this outcome for you. How disappointing

Even the HR person was a little confused when he asked my background. You couldn't get more polar opposite experience and roles. Skills matching or preferences if departments would be very helpful but just telling us before we have to submit all the Garda vetting and clearance stuff. Like other people have to process that and out time into those and just a waste of energy. It's also delaying someone else getting offered the role.

Does anyone know if PAS takes any preferences you might have for Department, location or role into account before offering you a position? Do you have to go through clearance before being offered a position? Thanks in advance.