Clerical Officer 2020

tiny14 wrote: »

Anyone be kind enough to give me some help with Upcoming interview!! Ive never done a zoom one like most people but havnt done an interview in 15 years and especially this kind of one & im nervous!! Appreciate any kind of help/advice & i dint mind anyone to pm me thanks so much in advance

Look up the usual interview questions and have answers for the most common (tell me a time etc) think Morgan McKinley have a list on their website. Use the STAR method to answer the questions (situation -talk about a time and place, Task- talk about what the job and what it entailed, Action - talk about what you did, Result/ talk about the outcome). If you use that method for most of your answers to common questions you’ll fly past. Don’t be nervous they are lovely (I was pre zoom so actually had to sit across them and they are very helpful). Know about the public service and different roles, know computer literacy stuff like what BCC is and how and when to use it. And you will be flying it. Best of luck.

frankienonose wrote: »

Hypothetically speaking, if someone was in office a couple of days a week and working from home for the rest, would it be feasible to live somewhere else in the country and just come up to Dublin for the necessary days?

Lots of people spent years commuting 80/90 miles to Dublin, 5 days a week.
So two days or three would be luxury to them!
Depends on the travel links, if it's a single transport type it helps a lot.

Have a friend who did 4 years in Dublin Airport, drove every day from Cavan town.
If your working hours suit it's not too bad, be on the road before six, get out at 4.30pm at the latest and it's almost non stop driving.

Apply for a transfer asap.... !

Hi all. So, I start as a CO next month. I'm looking forward to it. In regards to the regular and higher CO pay scale does anyone know what qualifies someone to be on the higher scale? Is it relating to qualifications or where you are placed?

blindsider wrote: »

Every new entrant to the CS starts on the 1st point of the scale. I'm unaware of any exceptions, regardless of experience, qualifications etc. Probation lasts 1 year.

(There MAY be an allowance if you're a fluent Irish speaker, and it's a requirememtn of the role. If you work shifts e.g. in Dublin Port, there is a shift premium of 25%.)

Each year, subject to satisfactory performance, you will move up 1 point on the pay scale (increments).

CO's are due a €500 pay increase in October(check month?) as part of a pay agreement.

Finally, FYI, CO's are paid weekly - Friday a.m. into your bank a/c.

Very helpful thank you

Check with HR, if you have previous experience as a Temporary Clerical Officer for instance ( 2 years plus, you may qualify for the next point of pay)

tiny14 wrote: »

Anyone be kind enough to give me some help with Upcoming interview!! Ive never done a zoom one like most people but havnt done an interview in 15 years and especially this kind of one & im nervous!! Appreciate any kind of help/advice & i dint mind anyone to pm me thanks so much in advance

I posted this a few pages back, might be helpful.
Someone else mentioned that the interviewers aren't bothered with STAR responses though.
The information in the handbook is very helpful.

"If you Google "star" interview responses you might find that helpful.
A lot of the websites give sample questions.
Sit down with a pen and paper and have two answers for each questions, learn them and have them ready to roll off your tongue.

An example interview question might be Give us an example that you improved your workplace. Or give us an example of a project you undertook.
If you were to just say "I revamped our website" that wouldn't be what they're looking for.
If you applied the star format it'd be something like
Situation: I recognised the requirement for our website to be updated when customers commented about lack of information and volume of calls increased.
Task: I undertook to renew the website, got quotes, sourced samples, hired media company.
Action: Be able to speak about going live with the job (website) and what was involved.
Result: Be able to speak about positive benefits of your task (new website) eg lesser volume of calls, easier to navigate, increase in online sales.

They won't ask personal questions like are you married, they can't by law.

They might ask something like Tell us about a time you didn't get on with a colleague or Tell us about a time you disagreed with your supervisors decision.
Another question might be tell us about a customer complaint.
Just write out the answers in Star format and remember them well.

They might also ask you questions to get an understanding of how computer literate you are.
Have some answers / situations ready to show that you can create a word document to type letters. Create a folder. Create and use a spreadsheet.Create emails and attach documents.
You should also be able to tell them what bcc means and cc.

Have a practise with someone for your online interview.
Check internet speed / microphone etc.
It can be hard to not lean into the monitor.
And try to look at the camera rather than the screen.
Don't fidget with a pen or paper, if you were sitting in an interview room you wouldn't do that.
Although I imagine they take that into consideration.

The interview only lasts about 20 mins to half hour and it goes by very quickly.
Hope that helps"

ellejay wrote: »

I posted this a few pages back, might be helpful.
Someone else mentioned that the interviewers aren't bothered with STAR responses though.
The information in the handbook is very helpful.

"If you Google "star" interview responses you might find that helpful.
A lot of the websites give sample questions.
Sit down with a pen and paper and have two answers for each questions, learn them and have them ready to roll off your tongue.

An example interview question might be Give us an example that you improved your workplace. Or give us an example of a project you undertook.
If you were to just say "I revamped our website" that wouldn't be what they're looking for.
If you applied the star format it'd be something like
Situation: I recognised the requirement for our website to be updated when customers commented about lack of information and volume of calls increased.
Task: I undertook to renew the website, got quotes, sourced samples, hired media company.
Action: Be able to speak about going live with the job (website) and what was involved.
Result: Be able to speak about positive benefits of your task (new website) eg lesser volume of calls, easier to navigate, increase in online sales.

They won't ask personal questions like are you married, they can't by law.

They might ask something like Tell us about a time you didn't get on with a colleague or Tell us about a time you disagreed with your supervisors decision.
Another question might be tell us about a customer complaint.
Just write out the answers in Star format and remember them well.

They might also ask you questions to get an understanding of how computer literate you are.
Have some answers / situations ready to show that you can create a word document to type letters. Create a folder. Create and use a spreadsheet.Create emails and attach documents.
You should also be able to tell them what bcc means and cc.

Have a practise with someone for your online interview.
Check internet speed / microphone etc.
It can be hard to not lean into the monitor.
And try to look at the camera rather than the screen.
Don't fidget with a pen or paper, if you were sitting in an interview room you wouldn't do that.
Although I imagine they take that into consideration.

The interview only lasts about 20 mins to half hour and it goes by very quickly.
Hope that helps"

Thanks so much for taking time to reply and all the info!! Ive alot to get done before it but will update once its done & thanks again

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