The HEO 2024 Competition is now open for applications.
Link is here: https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/?option=com_jobsearch&view=jobdetails&cid=189011&campaignId=24231106&Itemid=263
Closing date for initial applications is 3pm on the 6th June, 2024.
Best of luck everyone! Candidate Information video is available here: https://vimeo.com/943622208/bbf6b13d05
That was clever. I'm down to the 3 dreaded questions. At least it's only 2500-3000 characters, I initially read it as WORDS! 🤣
2500 characters and if you go type 2500 then go add some to the middle it deletes off the end so be careful
You're not alone there!
I have read this and think it means you can only apply if you have served 2 years at the grade below HEO.
This is the first time I saw this is on HEO application it was normally open to all grades.
there’s very little space for work experience responsibilities and achievements compared to previous forms. Only 800 characters is crazy
Hi all,
Are you all using the STAR method to answer questions 3, 4 & 5.
I did mine in both STAR and using the sub categories as headings , I felt it read better that way but I know it's not the usual way. Any help or suggestions appreciated
Same here. Maybe its just me but unless your role is highly specialised I cannot see how many COs or EOs can answer this. Most of us aren't either given an opportunity to develop this or to implement it. I'm taking that they said implementing change to mean a change from on high that we then put into practice the problem being that we'd rarely have any say… we're how to implement that change.
Has anyone who has completed the application forms been sent the tests yet?
Won't happen until after the competition closes
everyone who is eligible will be notified about the testing stage and will have the same open window as each other. They won’t stagger it.
It says a grade lower than HEO equivalent, it's basically saying AO and current HEO's cant use this competition as a mobility transfer like open comps.
CO and EO can apply
What time frame is to be expected with each stage? A month allocated for each?
If it says a grade lower than HEO does that not just mean EOs and Acting EOs? I know COs were previously eligible but this time I read it as they weren't.
No it means any grade below HEO. CO or EO.
I have Offaly down as my location for this comp. I am considering changing it to Dublin. Pity you can't select 2. My concern is that I am new to Offaly and I am only in 2 days p/w at the moment here which is fine not a long commute but I am worried about getting somewhere south side Dublin and having to commute 2-3 days to Dublin… but also worried that I won't stand a chance in Offaly… predicament…
I think many people are having the same predicament, limiting it to 1 place is somewhat unfair in my opinion. Looking at the figures for the last two campaigns, Dublin gets the overwhelming number of positions.
Hi, If you’re currently in an acting HEO position can you still apply?
I would say yes as its not permanent position and you will return to your previous grade once the acting has concluded.
For education, are you putting your qualifications in the order achieved (most recent first) or are you putting your highest achieved qualification first and then other qualifications listed in order of NFQ level ?
Yep same as work history
There she goes. Now we wait 🤞🤞🤞
in date order, most recent first like work history
I’m still working on mine ahh!
Still plenty of time left. Good luck with it. Its very different from previous competency based forms.
I ended up listing things for the leadership question instead of the STAR format like the other two, only because I noticed it doesn't say use an example but instead just says evidence of direct experience managing and leading teams.
Same :/
I answered it like that too. Just gave details of my relevant experience, size of teams, motivating others ...
Given that this campaign is open to CO and EO, the leading/motivating/developing others question is going to be a tough one for most people, in the context of civil service employment. People may have more relevant experience of this in a personal context… such as coaching 5yr old soccer team, voluntary work, etc.
Same listed my different jobs that i could give leadership examples in
My head was getting fried second guessing should I re-word parts so I just hit submit and be done with it!
Yes, of course
