Principal Officer 2025

jc123456 · 29-08-2025 07:36AM

I have heard that the Batch 1.2 will be up to 65 on the OOM after the aptitude resting phase. So 36 for Batch 1.1 and 29 for Batch 1.2.

2021_AP · 29-08-2025 09:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123764894#Comment_123764894

Is that everyone who passed shortlisting then? Or will there be a batch 1.3?

tea and coffee · 29-08-2025 09:45AM

It isn't clear how many were shortlisted. It might have been as many as 100, so there could be a 1.3

Further, if they need more people, they will presumably take the next lot of those who scored in the testing and shortlist those forms.

How solid is that info JC?

TaurenDruid · 29-08-2025 10:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123765297#Comment_123765297

I'm in the 90s and passed the shortlisting, so definitely that many. As to will there be a batch 1.3? Highly doubtful, considering how slowly the last panel moved and the fact that this one won't be established until Q4 and expires at the end of March.

jc123456 · 29-08-2025 09:10PM

I think even senior management are not entirely sure how Public Jobs is running this panel - since its a new process.

Riantuaisceart · 30-08-2025 12:38PM

Just to add to the discussion appears they are going through the first 150; how many batches is open to speculation but when asked publicjobs couldn't foresee anything further happening after end of next March. They could not confirm whether or not there would be another competition; clarity would appear to be a scarce commodity.

Ahshurlookit · 01-09-2025 08:59AM

I would be very confident that, unless the new system of trying to match peoples skills to roles is a disaster and completely unworkable, that the competition will be extended until at least the end of 2026.

The first batch being so small is basically a pilot, and if it's successful it'll be way forward for all future competitions at AP and PO. If it's too complicated, there may not be any further people interviewed beyond the 36.

I should add, I've no inside knowledge, the above is just my own personal opinion.

Jessibelle · 05-09-2025 03:19PM

Good luck to all heading up next week!

Peppiluck · 11-09-2025 05:25PM

Very quiet here this week, is batch 1.1 currently being interviewed? How’s it going if so? I wonder if there is going to be further any movement following the first 36 being interviewed.

Jessibelle · 11-09-2025 09:11PM

interviews are ongoing until Friday afaik 😀

TaurenDruid · 12-09-2025 02:47PM

Would be good if we could get some feedback after the interviews on what they're like, all right!

APapplicant2021 · 12-09-2025 02:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123810225#Comment_123810225

*very* challenging! Difficult to say more without being identifiable though

Hobgoblin123 · 12-09-2025 10:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123810250#Comment_123810250

I agree with this assessment of the interview.

Dutyful · 13-09-2025 03:38PM

Totally understandable—no need for specifics! Do you have any general advice or suggestions on how to approach capability-based interviews, or is there anything you wish you’d done differently in your preparation?

APapplicant2021 · 14-09-2025 05:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123813141#Comment_123813141

I wish I'd had like twenty different substitute examples of my capabilities actually prepared for each one! There was a lot of coming up with responses on the fly in a framing or with a focus I hadn't prepared for or really considered going in.

Dutyful · 14-09-2025 06:29PM

Thank you so much for sharing that, it’s really helpful to know just how wide-ranging and probing the questions can be. I hope you don't have to wait too long for a positive result.

jc123456 · 15-09-2025 08:15AM

Hopefully they may open up a second batch of interviews this week! Had just missed the cutoff for the first batch

TaurenDruid · 15-09-2025 10:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123817543#Comment_123817543

Good question. I initially thought you were being very optimistic, but 36 people interviewed - what will the success rate be? I'd expect it to be high enough, let's say 30 people. It won't take too long before they have the first vacancy to be filled from this panel, then PAS get to see how easy it is to go through 30 successful candidates to go "This is clearly the most suitable person for this role, they're made for it!" Or, alternatively "Damn, these are all quite generic candidates, I mean, they'd all probably be grand… but should we cast our net wider?"

compoundfactor · 15-09-2025 11:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123817924#Comment_123817924

I would've thought an 83% pass rate would be extremely high in any competition, not least a PO one

POquery · 15-09-2025 02:06PM

Did anyone think of asking when the results would be out? I tried but didnt get a clear answer (and was too rattled by the interview to push it!).

APapplicant2021 · 15-09-2025 02:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123817924#Comment_123817924

If they only placed 15 off the last panel in all of 2024 though I'd think they might hold off on another panel for a bit anyway?

APapplicant2021 · 15-09-2025 02:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123818755#Comment_123818755

Yeah I asked and they said maybe two to three weeks, fairly in line with what I was expecting.

PhoenixParker · 15-09-2025 02:53PM

Interview results are often out quite quickly after the last interviews are finished.

I'd guess at a 50% pass rate.

jc123456 · 15-09-2025 03:43PM

I guess it depends on the quality of fhe first batch and how many actually pass. Seems like the first round was a bit of a pilot of the new process.

I do know that additional vacancies at the PO higher scale will be recruiting from the same panel subsequently.

TaurenDruid · 15-09-2025 09:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123818220#Comment_123818220

I've no idea of the usual pass rate at this level, that's a pure guess on my part. I am assuming, though, that there'd be a decent calibre of candidate going for interview, as everyone has passed the tests and the shortlisting, which implies they have decent enough experience at a reasonably senior level, and they've likely all got some idea of what to expect in a civil service interview.

APapplicant2021 · 17-09-2025 03:10PM

I didn't pass the interviews, failed on one of the 8 areas. Pretty disappointed obviously.

Hobgoblin123 · 17-09-2025 03:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123825159#Comment_123825159

Sorry to hear that, and I’m in the same boat. 😔

APapplicant2021 · 17-09-2025 03:23PM

Sorry to hear from you too! No fun.

tea and coffee · 17-09-2025 03:35PM

Ah that's shocking. 1 out of 8 is cruel. It sounds to have been an extremely challenging interview.

There is setting a standard, and then there is setting the bar so high practically noone gets over it.

How big is the panel then? Seems like a lot of effort by PAS for a small return. Do they need POs or not really?

APapplicant2021 · 17-09-2025 03:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123825245#Comment_123825245

Honestly I do think it was pretty mean to fail me in that particular area as opposed to marking me as showing potential, which would have meant I passed.

Principal Officer 2025

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