NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Posting on behalf of my wife (doesn’t have boards account).

I’d really appreciate if someone could answer the below:

“I havn’t done a competency based interview in a long number of years.

Can someone advise please for the AP interview will they go “give us your leadership example”, then questions on that, then they move on to the next competency, and so on through the interview?

Is that how the interview is structured or is it more free form and a flowing discussion?”

Thanks a million in advance !!

The last few I've done, they've told me which member of the 3-person interview board will be asking me about each competency and been clear about each one when they move on to it. They will ask supplementary questions to clarify/probe, but as the previous poster said, it's more to verify you've done the work and not to trip you up or catch you out. I've had a couple of exceptions to this in specialist/particular job competitions but the main AP panel interviews all followed that format. I'd say roughly 80% of the time I've been able to use the examples I used in the application, and the rest they've asked for an additional or different example.

Northern Sound wrote: »

I would be grateful if someone could give more detail on the ETray , what are you presented with ? What advise would you give after doing it ? Thanks for the help

I don't know if the scenario will be exactly the same but the set-up should be similar. You basically login and you are presented with a wall of text to read which explains the situation you are in. It will tell you what organisation you work for, and who you are (it may give you a name different than your own in which case make sure you sign off emails as that person), and what is going on.

Make sure you read this carefully - it will be available during the eTray but you don't want to waste any time once the timer starts.

Then you're presented with an email inbox that is 'your inbox' where you will get emails, be able to upload/submit documents, send emails etc. Usually there are a few emails waiting for you to deal with and you might have some arrive as you do it as well.

The best advice I can give is to just put yourself into the situation as much as you can. Pretend it's real life and act as you would if you were just doing the job. Don't feel you have to do everything - they also want to see that you delegate appropriately. You will be told who your staff so you can send things on asking others to do them or get back to you.

Hope that makes sense!

Well done on getting placed - there is another thread on the Revenue AP comp so you might learn more there. I'd say it's probably an overall placing and you might get a Regional one later - but really the only way to know for sure is to ask them. They are generally very good at answering queries.

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

Had my internal second interview and presentation on Friday. Took 2 hours in total, was exhausted afterwards. No idea how it went and to be honest even if I were to get placed on a panel there is no realistic chance of a vacancy coming up that would suit me.

Just in case anyone has a modicum of interest on how it panned out for my internal AP journey, here's how it went. Filled out form and survived shortlisting and called for a first interview. Passed that and through to the above second interview and presentation. Today I found out I passed those too and received a very high position on an internal panel. I'm completely shocked to be honest, delighted with the result. Unfortunately the prospects of getting a post are slim but I've surprised myself at least. I suppose what I'm saying is keep plugging away. This was my 4th AP campaign overall and I've eventually been placed.

TaurenDruid wrote: »

Congrats on that! I've passed the interview and failed the e-tray; passed the e-tray and failed the interview; and failed the management questions in the supervised tests that I'd passed in the unsupervised, and in the previous two campaigns... one of these years, I'll pass them all in the one campaign!

I think you've hit the nail on the head, it's about putting the whole set together. The first round interview for me was the most bizarre. Genuinely felt dejected afterwards, but received really high marks. I'm hoping for a run now in this campaign. Best of luck to all.

Online interview results out
Relieved to get through. I am surprised it was that quick

Brera wrote: »

Just got the dreaded txt from PAS to say the results for the second batch video interviews are out.

As expected I didn’t get past the management experience question.

It would have been nice to have gotten a score on the other questions just to know for future applications but I guess they want to get the process carried out as quick as possible.

I hope everyone else got on ok.

Sorry to hear that, next time!

Nicole2020 wrote: »

I got through as well, delighted!

Do the scores mean anything in the video round after this?

Congrats ! - No it has no bearing on the final result. It is just a means of shortlisting for the next stage.

HannahR31 wrote: »

Prepping for my interview - I'm trying to remember which is the competency which they normally don't properly examine during the interview? I remember that usually at the start they say which of them are going to be examining which competencies and that 'the competency X will be examined during the other competencies but won't be questioned separately' = I can't remember though is it Interpersonal and Communication Skills or Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values.

Anybody know for certain?

It's drive and commitment

Ap2020 wrote: »

It's drive and commitment

Thank you!!

Skulls wrote: »

Ah..it sucks at times. What type of stuff did you say, can you remember? Some of us might be able to give you tips then.

Was this for Brera?

Skulls wrote: »

Ah..it sucks at times. What type of stuff did you say, can you remember? Some of us might be able to give you tips then.

I’m going to have to go back and look over what I said. I had written it down and have recordings practicing it.

I kind of wasn’t too surprised as I don’t have much experience on managing large teams of people.

At least I have experience of the process now for next time.

Brera wrote: »

I’m going to have to go back and look over what I said. I had written it down and have recordings practicing it.

I kind of wasn’t too surprised as I don’t have much experience on managing large teams of people.

At least I have experience of the process now for next time.

I don't think it is so much large teams that matter. More so that you have to be flexible, delegate, coach and mentor, get the best out of teams, use their skills, review and monitor. See the bigger picture.

Just did my remote interview there - don't think it went well at all! Just wasn't on form - but sure at least it's over!

HannahR31 wrote: »

Just did my remote interview there - don't think it went well at all! Just wasn't on form - but sure at least it's over!

Well done for getting through it. At least zoom worked! I've mine this week and hoping the bledy internet holds up.