PSNI Recruitment - Stage 2 - The Assessment Centre

inspector71 · 09-07-2008 10:38pm

yeah I agree, I don't think MrFug was suggesting a degree helps.
I hope not anyway - I'm a drop out!

JVB · 09-07-2008 10:38pm

MrFug wrote: »

JVB,

I was merely lamenting that I spent time at university when the job I had my heart set on required no formal qualifications. You just reiterated the point I made.

Apologies If I sounded like an arse-hole.

Lol MrFug, you didn't.

Apologies if I appeared to be on my soap box

. But I appreciate what you are alluding to; if you are successful with the PSNI then your education will have been needless as such. Ah well if you get the job who cares?

. Good luck with your application.

inspector71 · 09-07-2008 10:50pm

owen1976 wrote: »

I rang the vetting department when I got my vetting forms and they said if you get the forms you've passed the A/C!!:D:D:D

Are you for shizzle?
Was this in C14?
That's nice to hear!
Also mean a whole lotta passes for the boardsies which is nice!!

carlty888 · 09-07-2008 10:54pm

Guys. Just looking back over this thread and it appears that we're (myself included) spending too much time talking about vetting, as opposed to the A/C. There is a separate Vetting thread that we should probably be using.

You'll know doubt let me know if I'm sounding like a prat, but I'm just trying to help.

:P

carlty888 · 09-07-2008 10:59pm

inspector71 wrote: »

Are you for shizzle?
Was this in C14?
That's nice to hear!
Also mean a whole lotta passes for the boardsies which is nice!!

There appears to be quite a high percentage of people from these boards who do well each year. It probably shouldn't be a surprise. When others are out enjoying their lives, we're sitting at our computers geeking up on PSNI recruitment info/tips/advice. Any of who do well owe PSNI a drink.

Shield · 10-07-2008 12:07am

carlty888 wrote: »

There appears to be quite a high percentage of people from these boards who do well each year. It probably shouldn't be a surprise. When others are out enjoying their lives, we're sitting at our computers geeking up on PSNI recruitment info/tips/advice. Any of who do well owe PSNI a drink.

Thanks. We aim to please. :pac:

SFMCC · 10-07-2008 9:21am

Hi Kirksbabe
I received my vetting last christmas and my medical wasn't until about the end of March until the start of April - took until the start of April as they requested further info.
It will depend on how quickly they are able to do your vetting - large family etc
Check the vetting thread as they will be going through the same dates as you
Good Luck
SFMCC

faceman08 · 10-07-2008 10:13am

owen1976 wrote: »

I rang the vetting department when I got my vetting forms and they said if you get the forms you've passed the A/C!!:D:D:D

Congratulations to all those who have got their vetting forms through!!

Completed my AC last week so hopefully there will be something in the post shortly!!

owen1976 · 10-07-2008 10:47am

inspector71 wrote: »

Are you for shizzle?
Was this in C14?
That's nice to hear!
Also mean a whole lotta passes for the boardsies which is nice!!

Yeah inspector71 it was C14. I got my vetting forms last weekend in june then rang on the monday to confirm if I'd passed A/C and they said yes. Gotta love it!1 Nice!!

MrAnderson · 10-07-2008 10:48am

JVB wrote: »

How many clever people do you know with no common sense? I know quite a few

I've just read this again and it's so true! There's guys I know who get A's and high marks in everything and breeze through uni etc but put them into a situation and they're lost.

Mind you, I'd love to have that kind of academic ability

Sorry bit off topic.......

given1 · 10-07-2008 11:55am

all this talk about vetting forms really has got me thinking that ive failed the a/c, its now 4 weeks since it and i think im about the only person who hasnt received them!so tempted to ring vetting...

mr fug on the subject of higher education that relates to the work of police constable, i was told by a currently serving constable that it can be useful when coming to promotion if you want to specialise in pacific fields, no one hold me to this as im only saying what i was told!

however you can have no formal qualifications and be the perfect police constable if you have the right attitude, charisma, characteristics, dedication etc etc formal qualifications have nothing over this...

im studying criminology and criminal justice up in jordanstown as it relates to the job but should i be succesfull with c 13 i wouldnt think twice about dropping out!

just my take on the topic:)

MrFug · 10-07-2008 12:36pm

Lol, I really didn't intend to start a conversation/debate on Education vs Police compentencies. I was just saying how frustrating it is to want to do something that requires much more than formal qualifications, and much more difficult to obtain!

Anyway I did my AC today. Not feeling entirely confident after it. The consensia guy (the one who looks like a safari park warden) did make a point to say that receiving vetting forms is NOT an indication that you've passed. Although theres quite a lot on this board that contradicts that... so who knows?

Good luck everyone in this and future campaigns. I'm not naturally a pesimist but i'm fairly sure I haven't done enough here and I probably wont reapply.

MustBeCrazy · 10-07-2008 12:48pm

MrFug wrote: »

Lol, I really didn't intend to start a conversation/debate on Education vs Police compentencies. I was just saying how frustrating it is to want to do something that requires much more than formal qualifications, and much more difficult to obtain!

Anyway I did my AC today. Not feeling entirely confident after it. The consensia guy (the one who looks like a safari park warden) did make a point to say that receiving vetting forms is NOT an indication that you've passed. Although theres quite a lot on this board that contradicts that... so who knows?

Good luck everyone in this and future campaigns. I'm not naturally a pesimist but i'm fairly sure I haven't done enough here and I probably wont reapply.

Hello Mr Fug :P

I have my a/c on Monday week and at this stage just can't wait to get it over with so I can stop constantly thinking about it!! It's driving me mad. Anyway...don't lose heart yet. I remember coming out of the IST and telling my husband I would die of shock if I'd passed it as it was soooo much more difficult than I had expected (thankfully didn't die of shock but was very surprised to receive the pass letter!). I think even more with the a/c it's impossible to know how well you've done (unless you did something really bad like lamp the role play actor?!). In saying all of that I'm sure I'll come out of the a/c feeling exactly the same as you :eek:. I hope you did better than you thought and are pleasantly surprised by a pass letter arriving in the next few weeks.

MrsGeneHunt · 10-07-2008 2:05pm

MrFug wrote: »

Good luck everyone in this and future campaigns. I'm not naturally a pesimist but i'm fairly sure I haven't done enough here and I probably wont reapply.

Why wouldnt you reapply????? If you think you havent done well this time round turn it to your advantage and use it next time. You will get feedback from Consensia about how you fared in each task and therefore will highlight areas you need to work on.

But chin up, you may have done better than you think and it aint over til the fat lady sings, this whole process has a way of throwing things at you when you least expect it, I failed the IST intially by two marks then got thrown a lifeline and got an AC date - Never give up!

carlty888 · 10-07-2008 2:44pm

MrFug wrote: »

Good luck everyone in this and future campaigns. I'm not naturally a pesimist but i'm fairly sure I haven't done enough here and I probably wont reapply.

You said in an earlier post that this was the career you wanted. Prove it!!
Sometimes you will get knocked down, but you gotta learn from experiences and come back stronger.

As they say. "If at first you don't succeed. Cover up all the evidence that you ever tried in the first place."

MrAnderson · 10-07-2008 2:59pm

MustBeCrazy wrote: »

(unless you did something really bad like lamp the role play actor?!)

I was tempted......:D (joking)

MrFug, keep an open mind lad, as MrsGeneHunt says, if the fat lady ain't about then it's all good!

Hope all goes the best for you

MustBeCrazy · 10-07-2008 3:57pm

Silly questions alert!!!

Is there somewhere to leave your 'stuff' in the a/c while doing the roleplays etc? Things like bag, coat, snack/drink etc? Or do we just leave it all on a seat somewhere trusting that all other PSNI applicants are trustworthy and won't run off with my cheese sandwich at the first opportunity??

And did most of you bring notes into the actual role play/interview with you and if so did you refer to them during the assessment or is it better to ad lib your way through it?

And not to raise the old debate again but ladies what did you wear?

Thanks you lot

MrAnderson · 10-07-2008 4:21pm

MustBeCrazy wrote: »

Silly questions alert!!!

Is there somewhere to leave your 'stuff' in the a/c while doing the roleplays etc? Things like bag, coat, snack/drink etc? Or do we just leave it all on a seat somewhere trusting that all other PSNI applicants are trustworthy and won't run off with my cheese sandwich at the first opportunity??

And did most of you bring notes into the actual role play/interview with you and if so did you refer to them during the assessment or is it better to ad lib your way through it?

And not to raise the old debate again but ladies what did you wear?

Thanks you lot

I can answer some of this, when I was in, we were all told to bring everything with you as there is no locked room to leave bags, belongings etc. I tried not to bring too much, so I just had everything in an A4 envelope and carried that. However, this could be down to where I attended the AC, so it might differ for somebody else.

As to notes, they'll explain where you can use notes and refer to them. Don't worry, Consensia will make sure everything is laid out in plain English so there's no confusion! Although I would recommend that if you get the chance to make notes, use it!

Hope that helps

MrsGeneHunt · 10-07-2008 4:47pm

MustBeCrazy wrote: »

Silly questions alert!!!

Is there somewhere to leave your 'stuff' in the a/c while doing the roleplays etc? Things like bag, coat, snack/drink etc? Or do we just leave it all on a seat somewhere trusting that all other PSNI applicants are trustworthy and won't run off with my cheese sandwich at the first opportunity??

And did most of you bring notes into the actual role play/interview with you and if so did you refer to them during the assessment or is it better to ad lib your way through it?

And not to raise the old debate again but ladies what did you wear?

Thanks you lot

There has been a lot of debate on the subject of what to wear but for my two pence worth, I'd say as you are going for a job where the uniform is paramount then I'd make damn sure I was very smartly dressed and neatly turned out. I think this will also help you feel more authorative during the whole AC process. Dress for success! I'm wearing a suit and killer heels!!!:cool:

alanbelfast · 10-07-2008 6:17pm

Mustbecrazy

Yes you can and should bring notes into the role plays with you. The notes I wrote down were just that of my job roles and the competencies that needed to be demonstrated in that role play. I would have a page of notes and in huge letters have.......TEAM WORK and PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY etc etc.

I would also have maybe 'I AM OWNER OF THE STORE ' My ROLE IS ENSURE BUSINESS RUNS EVERYDAY etc etc. So every now and then I would look down and go .....'o I need to show team work' Then maybe try hard to bring in others. Sometimes the roles are that intense that you forget what your in there for...........so my way jogged the ole memory. All you needed to do was give a little glance down and see the HUGE LETTERS.

MustBeCrazy · 10-07-2008 7:13pm

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

There has been a lot of debate on the subject of what to wear but for my two pence worth, I'd say as you are going for a job where the uniform is paramount then I'd make damn sure I was very smartly dressed and neatly turned out. I think this will also help you feel more authorative during the whole AC process. Dress for success! I'm wearing a suit and killer heels!!!:cool:

Thanks MrsGH...I have bought a nice black pin-striped trouser suit for the occasion but was worried it might be a bit OTT. But I thought if I'm going to be playing the role of a Manager, I may as well look like one for the day :-) Hope it's not too long a day in the ol' heels though :eek:

MustBeCrazy · 10-07-2008 7:14pm

alanbelfast wrote: »

Mustbecrazy

Yes you can and should bring notes into the role plays with you. The notes I wrote down were just that of my job roles and the competencies that needed to be demonstrated in that role play. I would have a page of notes and in huge letters have.......TEAM WORK and PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY etc etc.

I would also have maybe 'I AM OWNER OF THE STORE ' My ROLE IS ENSURE BUSINESS RUNS EVERYDAY etc etc. So every now and then I would look down and go .....'o I need to show team work' Then maybe try hard to bring in others. Sometimes the roles are that intense that you forget what your in there for...........so my way jogged the ole memory. All you needed to do was give a little glance down and see the HUGE LETTERS.

Thanks AlanB, I think that's what I'll do (it worked for you, so why not?? lol).

MustBeCrazy · 10-07-2008 7:18pm

MrAnderson wrote: »

I can answer some of this, when I was in, we were all told to bring everything with you as there is no locked room to leave bags, belongings etc. I tried not to bring too much, so I just had everything in an A4 envelope and carried that. However, this could be down to where I attended the AC, so it might differ for somebody else.

As to notes, they'll explain where you can use notes and refer to them. Don't worry, Consensia will make sure everything is laid out in plain English so there's no confusion! Although I would recommend that if you get the chance to make notes, use it!

Hope that helps

Thankyou, yes it was a big help. I think I will bring a large hand bag with me to hold everything I need. I'm not sure whether bringing notes into the roleplays would put me off more than anything, but as AlanB says maybe just a few well placed points to remember in large writing would be useful - and wouldn't be too off-putting.

manaka · 10-07-2008 8:43pm

hey man, she was very nice to me! too nice to be a bad ass cop! Hope she gets through! Did you do your ac yet?

MrFug · 10-07-2008 9:55pm

They do take your mobile phones from you at the start, so you can't take photographs apparantly. Otherwise I didn't see any lockers or the likes. The consensia dude did say not to leave anything lying around you can't afford to lose etc.

I would definatley dress smart, a suit etc. Everyone at mines was in suits apart from one guy, who came in in trainers and jeans and immediatley looked quite embarassed about it.

Also, it helps you get into the role of someone in a position of authority for the role plays when you've got your best whistle & flute on and shiny shoes.

Did anyone else leave their role-plays and have one of those 'fore-head slapping DOH!' moments. I did, several times when I realised that I should have said this and that. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and all that

Best of luck.

JVB · 10-07-2008 10:31pm

MrFug wrote: »

They do take your mobile phones from you at the start, so you can't take photographs apparantly. Otherwise I didn't see any lockers or the likes. The consensia dude did say not to leave anything lying around you can't afford to lose etc.

I would definatley dress smart, a suit etc. Everyone at mines was in suits apart from one guy, who came in in trainers and jeans and immediatley looked quite embarassed about it.

Also, it helps you get into the role of someone in a position of authority for the role plays when you've got your best whistle & flute on and shiny shoes.

Did anyone else leave their role-plays and have one of those 'fore-head slapping DOH!' moments. I did, several times when I realised that I should have said this and that. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and all that

Best of luck.

Hi MrFug. You seem quite assured that you haven't passed the AC. Believe me, as MrsGH has said, it aint over ... You just never know how it all came across to the assessment staff. Maybe if you had said some of those extra things you thought of after, they may have been innapropriate to the situation. Obviously I wasn't there and only you can say how it went. But if you came out with a bad feeling and eventually you do not pass, don't give up; it's your first attempt. You've only then failed yourself. Honestly, if you want this, you'll get it.

JVB · 10-07-2008 11:01pm

carlty888 wrote: »

As they say. "If at first you don't succeed. Cover up all the evidence that you ever tried in the first place."

Lol Carlty. And if at first you do succeed, don't look so surprised

tfitzgerald · 10-07-2008 11:38pm

hi i am like mr fug i am afraid this is my last chance too but my reason is that i am at the wrong side of 40 i would love the job but i think i will be a bag of nerves doing my ac so if there is anyone out there that can give me some real advice concerning the roleplays interviews ect please pm me i am not proud i will take advice or help where ever i can get it

cheers

MrFug · 11-07-2008 4:37am

Yeah nerves are a terrible thing. They are the bane of many good people. Some people just don't do themselves justice in a test environment (like me) and the ironic thing is, I'm fine in situations some other people would crumble. its just the feeling of being so closely scrutinised and having to say the right things that gets me.

I'm encouraged by the things you guys have said, thanks for that. I'm in two minds. I really would love this job, however in a weird way, I'd also love to not love the job lol - cause it can be very frustrating striving to achieve something that MAY just be outside my capabilities at the end of the day. But thats a terribly downbeat attitude :slaps himself:

So here is what I've come up with. If I PASS the A/C but fail due to a low merit rating i will apply again. If i fail, I'll pursue a career somewhere else.

Thanks for all the encouragement.

MrsGeneHunt · 11-07-2008 11:32am

MustBeCrazy wrote: »

Thanks MrsGH...I have bought a nice black pin-striped trouser suit for the occasion but was worried it might be a bit OTT. But I thought if I'm going to be playing the role of a Manager, I may as well look like one for the day :-) Hope it's not too long a day in the ol' heels though :eek:

Def not over the top, I have a black suit as well, very managerial!! Dont think it will be too hard a day on the feet, its only for a few hours and you'll be seated for most of it!

Another few weeks til mine, wish it would roll round, really just chomping at the bit to get it over and done with!!!!!!!!:p

PSNI Recruitment - Stage 2 - The Assessment Centre

Comments