Clerical Officer 2020

I'm the same. I placed 50's in the TCO comp and in the 400's for the CO Comp. It looks like there's a lot of us frustrated and disappointed with our results here. It doesn't make sense that so many of us have such a difference in our scores between the two comps.

Plasandrunt wrote: »

It's as if people don't realize there's a period of mass unemployment happening right now and ergo more a huge amount of more applicants for this year than in quite a long time. People need to make a note of this when comparing OOM with previous campaigns

The deadline for applications for this campaign had ended by the time this whole pandemic kicked off so suggesting numbers applying increased for that reason doesn't seem right. The date for completion of stage one was extended for a few days but by that stage whoever applied , applied and whoever didn't, didn't.

Anyway we'll all just have to wait and see what happens.

No, I remember distinctly sharing the ad on my FB page about the campaign and it had around 10 days left before the deadline at that point, and I was specifically saying that it could be a good option given the pandemic for anyone who has job insecurity, so I think the number of applicants would have increase substantially. But I imagine not everyone will take a position if they still have a job, or have managed to get a new job in the private sector by the time they get a CO offer

rachaelworld wrote: »

No, I remember distinctly sharing the ad on my FB page about the campaign and it had around 10 days left before the deadline at that point, and I was specifically saying that it could be a good option given the pandemic for anyone who has job insecurity, so I think the number of applicants would have increase substantially. But I imagine not everyone will take a position if they still have a job, or have managed to get a new job in the private sector by the time they get a CO offer

Think your right. Look at the first boards thread on 2020 competition. Dated 10/3/2, two days later country started to lockdown, with govt announcing closure of schools.

does your number change following interview? Can you go from like 200 to top 10?

Blanco100 wrote: »

does your number change following interview? Can you go from like 200 to top 10?

Yep - discussed a few pages ago. Might be worth the read...

From what I gather the general consensus is that younger people were placed in the lower numbers and those who are some what more mature, we're placed higher up, like why would they ask at the end of the assessment your personal details like gender nationality and sexual orientation!!! Strange one, or are temps just there to cover hols and shorter working year??

Boxer50 wrote: »

From what I gather the general consensus is that younger people were placed in the lower numbers and those who are some what more mature, we're placed higher up, like why would they ask at the end of the assessment your personal details like gender nationality and sexual orientation!!! Strange one, or are temps just there to cover hols and shorter working year??

Nonsense it may appear that way because mature older people have more experience and could actually answer the questions in a better order but to say the oom is based on age or gender is ridiculous and may be an explanation in itself.

Anybody get an interview date yet?

Boxer50 wrote: »

From what I gather the general consensus is that younger people were placed in the lower numbers and those who are some what more mature, we're placed higher up, like why would they ask at the end of the assessment your personal details like gender nationality and sexual orientation!!! Strange one, or are temps just there to cover hols and shorter working year??

That was an equality survey at the end, it was not part of the application.
So if someone asks why do more women get jobs in the service they can pull those stats out and say more women applied and likewise with any other equality question.

Im pissed with my result too. Am CO but looking to move. Got CO with very low 100s. Was top 10 in last TCO and this time 800s. Not a chance now of moving. All the experience questions, well have lots. IT experience well Im already using their systems. Answered scenarios exactly as we would have to do it in our workplace. Did the lack of the application form make so much difference? Or was it ever being used to start with, the only place it seems used is at the interview. I know my manager hasnt got a clue about what i worked at before.
Head down and muddle on.

A few pointers from someone who joined as a CO from the 2016 campaign and has gone up a few grades since and lost count how many competitions I have taken part in between 2016 and now.

- The Civil Service does not discriminate on age. It is likely one of better employers for prospective candidates of all backgrounds including age, sex and disability status. If it did discriminate as a policy, it would not be a secret for long and would result in legal actions.

- The tests are equally unfair. They are something you have to do when applying for all (that I know of) grades below Assistant Secretary and everyone does them with some variations depending on grade and whether a campaign is via PAS or local HR (rare bar Revenue). They aren't perfect and in some cases hinder the progress of good people who just aren't suited to those kind of tests.

- However something has to be used and you can practice the tests, including the job situation questions which I personally found the most variation in my scores. I improved on that element by getting advice from others who previously did the tests and performed well. If that is not available to you, read the competencies for the role before doing the test and answer in line with the competencies for that grade.

- For those awaiting call up to interviews, I would leave prep until you get a date. Civil Service campaigns can/will be slow even if you have a good OOM. For CO interview, look at the CO competencies and have two short examples in STAR format (Google if you don't know it) for each competency. You won't get asked everything and don't get overly stressed about it.

Hope that helps.

Aes Triplex 94 wrote: »

Does anyone have an idea of the approximate number of CO posts that will be available in Dublin for this competition over the Year till May 2021?

Likewise, any idea on numbers likely to be available for Wicklow?

Does anyone know the total number of CO's appointed in Dublin arising from the 2018 CO Permanent Campaign? Thanks.

Does anyone have any information on the above? Thanks.

Boxer50 wrote: »

From what I gather the general consensus is that younger people were placed in the lower numbers and those who are some what more mature, we're placed higher up, like why would they ask at the end of the assessment your personal details like gender nationality and sexual orientation!!! Strange one, or are temps just there to cover hols and shorter working year??

They can't do that, it's discriminatory treatment on the grounds of age and is contrary to the Employment Equality Act.

How do they decide OOM if you have same online test result as someone else (several others even)?

Lot of updates in this thread so I’ll ask here
Anyone know what clerical work in immigration is like? And dress code? Have been told smart casual so is slacks and polo shirt ok?