NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

extendormove · 27-04-2021 2:23pm

Just completed my first online interview (3 recorded questions). Anyone any idea when results of will be released?

starringme · 27-04-2021 2:39pm

Charles14 wrote: »

Anyone do the etray opened today? Is there a time limit on the tutorial?

I don't know why, but there's a 10 min limit. No limit on the briefing material.

Thanks to all who've posted tips here, it was intense alright. I have no idea how I did but it's definitely better than I would have on my todd.

billyhead · 27-04-2021 4:46pm

extendormove wrote: »

Just completed my first online interview (3 recorded questions). Anyone any idea when results of will be released?

I think its in 2 weeks

Awkwardstroke · 27-04-2021 7:33pm

Got sorted eventually (done it on a smartphone). First Video interview ever, and pretty strange hearing your voice on the recordings.

Fingers crossed ðŸ€ž for the results yet I’m in bonus territory as with a low stage 1 score I didn’t expect to be still in the game.

Awkwardstroke wrote: »

I will try a different WiFi signal with the phone as a last resort...as it looks better through a webcam (I think).

Charles14 · 27-04-2021 7:51pm

starringme wrote: »

I don't know why, but there's a 10 min limit. No limit on the briefing material.

Thanks to all who've posted tips here, it was intense alright. I have no idea how I did but it's definitely better than I would have on my todd.

So you can take as long as you like with briefing material before the test starts? Also are you best to work through emails as they come in? Any tips greatly appreciated!

Charles14 · 27-04-2021 7:55pm

Awkwardstroke wrote: »

Got sorted eventually (done it on a smartphone). First Video interview ever, and pretty strange hearing your voice on the recordings.

Fingers crossed ðŸ€ž for the results yet I’m in bonus territory as with a low stage 1 score I didn’t expect to be still in the game.

Im sure you did fine .. i got through video interview sitting etray now really dont know what to expect

Awkwardstroke · 27-04-2021 8:11pm

The tips and advice (& encouragement) on this thread have been a great help...it’s daunting yet hearing from others who have dealt with a stage before you is reassuring.

A good advertisement for Boards.ie

Charles14 wrote: »

Im sure you did fine .. i got through video interview sitting etray now really dont know what to expect

dee75 · 28-04-2021 12:44pm

Whew, the etray was intense. 90 minutes flies by. Quite different to previous ones I've done with lots of small issues and no "big task".

Good luck to anyone who still has to do it before tomorrow.

Charles14 · 28-04-2021 3:59pm

dee75 wrote: »

Whew, the etray was intense. 90 minutes flies by. Quite different to previous ones I've done with lots of small issues and no "big task".

Good luck to anyone who still has to do it before tomorrow.

Like you i found it very intense and very different to last one I did .. not very hopeful but best of luck to all who have yet to do it

dennisdmenace · 28-04-2021 5:08pm

Charles14 wrote: »

Like you i found it very intense and very different to last one I did .. not very hopeful but best of luck to all who have yet to do it

I've never done an eTray exercise. Can you give me an idea of what is involved? and what type of subject matter is in the emails?

Thanks.

Mbwb · 29-04-2021 12:57pm

Hi,

For those of you going through the etray at the moment, you might like to know, I think they have exhausted the current panel (though I stand to be corrected) i.e. assigned everyone - so it moves pretty quick once you get to the interview stage. I am staying in my current Department. Best of luck to you all!

derailed · 29-04-2021 2:24pm

Just finished the etray ahead of the 1pm deadline having taken the morning off work to complete. Like a lot of posters here found it very hard going and left a lot untouched towards the end (did not answer last two including one what looked like an important task). Hard to tell with these things but spent too much time deliberating over earlier mails and finding out who was who on my team. Went into detail quite a bit a start until realised the time was ticking down then tried to answer as best as I could after that point. Only delegated occasionally and took most on board myself.

There is so much to do over 1 hr and 30 mins that it is next to impossible to get to everything in what might be the way evaluators are looking from management in these scenarios while focusing on communications, prioritisation, delegating and scheduling meetings. On hindsight there is a number of emails I would have responded differently to within this exercise but could not explain that sufficiently in the post e-tray survey such was my level of mental exhaustion!!

One piece of advice to anyone who has Stage 3 ahead is to try to skim over all emails at the start (and as they come in) including from manager to get a reflective picture of what constitutes an important or lesser task from the outset. My mistake today (in one way) was that I read from the bottom (earliest mail received) while overlooking more recent mails issued from manager towards end while also accepting an invite from a business development colleague to a meeting/presentation on my first morning in the role leading me to then defer an induction meeting invite from my manager.

Some much I would do differently (time management/prioritisation/delegation etc) but agree that some tips/pointers on this forum were very useful in terms of approach. My first time doing an etray exercise with different interface so an experience but overall not expecting the best in terms of the outcome but there's always hope and my thoughts on this etray were similar to others who passed. Best of luck to everyone who had Stage 3 this week and to anyone else who has this ahead after video shortlisting.

extendormove · 29-04-2021 4:33pm

Mbwb wrote: »

Hi,

For those of you going through the etray at the moment, you might like to know, I think they have exhausted the current panel (though I stand to be corrected) i.e. assigned everyone - so it moves pretty quick once you get to the interview stage. I am staying in my current Department. Best of luck to you all!

Do you mean the final interview stage? How long after you completed that were you offered the AP position?

extendormove · 29-04-2021 11:15pm

Would any AP's on here care to share what a typical day is like?

Mbwb · 30-04-2021 3:43pm

extendormove wrote: »

Do you mean the final interview stage? How long after you completed that were you offered the AP position?

yes. About 5 weeks they put me through clearance, contacted my department for reference, sign self-declaration etc. When PAS happy with all that you are officially assigned to a Department.

Pogue eile · 30-04-2021 3:50pm

extendormove wrote: »

Would any AP's on here care to share what a typical day is like?

Too be fair extendormove it is an impossible question to answer as there are so many variables from Department to Department and even within Departments. It's one of those 'it depends' situations and I know that is not very helpful but it is the reality.

I'm an AP currently in a policy area and I have only one staff - a HEO. I know other AP's who have up to 70 staff and that's within the same department.

extendormove · 30-04-2021 4:53pm

Pogue eile wrote: »

Too be fair extendormove it is an impossible question to answer as there are so many variables from Department to Department and even within Departments. It's one of those 'it depends' situations and I know that is not very helpful but it is the reality.

I'm an AP currently in a policy area and I have only one staff - a HEO. I know other AP's who have up to 70 staff and that's within the same department.

Appreciate that. How about in comparison to the etray exercise? How like a typical day is that?

FGR · 30-04-2021 10:18pm

Anyone any idea where they are in the overall OOM? I take it anyone above 1,000 will be waiting or may not make it at all?

TaurenDruid · 30-04-2021 10:22pm

extendormove wrote: »

Appreciate that. How about in comparison to the etray exercise? How like a typical day is that?

See previous answer?

There might be one or two business units in the civil service where you're expected to multitask, analyse, prioritise, delegate, lead, interpret, and make decisions, all while not being fully briefed or knowledgeable about your department, business unit or role. And you have to do it non-stop, for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, rather than the 90 minutes of the e-tray...

But that's more likely a sign that either you're having an anxiety dream, or you've got a really terrible manager.

Awkwardstroke · 30-04-2021 10:25pm

Hi all,

An update on my struggles with the Video part of this competition.
Last week I did the video part (some IT struggles mentioned here earlier) and got a notification yesterday to redo it as it failed their QC check (I did the first on the App due to issues with bandwidth on laptops (2).

I redid it today, sounds a bit better (still using the phone App yet with a better placement and sounds).

Hopefully it works this time, would be a shame to crash out due to IT issues.

Good luck to everyone at whatever stage ye are at.

*Gaijin* · 30-04-2021 10:31pm

TaurenDruid wrote: »

See previous answer?

There might be one or two business units in the civil service where you're expected to multitask, analyse, prioritise, delegate, lead, interpret, and make decisions, all while not being fully briefed or knowledgeable about your department, business unit or role. And you have to do it non-stop, for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, rather than the 90 minutes of the e-tray...

But that's more likely a sign that either you're having an anxiety dream, or you've got a really terrible manager.

Or you're a Private Secretary...

*Gaijin* · 30-04-2021 10:37pm

FGR wrote: »

Anyone any idea where they are in the overall OOM? I take it anyone above 1,000 will be waiting or may not make it at all?

I was early 1300s InterD/Early 2000s Open (Dublin) and was called to do the video questions last week.

Karlos77 · 06-05-2021 10:42pm

Anyone any idea when the results of the video recording will be?

extendormove · 07-05-2021 9:34am

Karlos77 wrote: »

Anyone any idea when the results of the video recording will be?

Hoping to hear something today.

Meathlass · 07-05-2021 11:11am

extendormove wrote: »

Appreciate that. How about in comparison to the etray exercise? How like a typical day is that?

I'm an AP in a small Department with 8 staff. It's in a corporate area with frequent engagement with senior management and the political/advisor side. I'm in the role a year and my predecessor is no longer in the Department so that's added to the difficulty having no one to check things with. I describe it to people as doing an etray all day every day. It's a fairly black and white role so there's a lot of checking circulars and policy and precedents. The big jump from AO/HEO is that you are expected to present a fully formed case for decision further up the line or in many cases make and stand over the decision yourself. In effect you're the subject expert on your area and there's no one checking your research or processes.

In my experience a policy role wouldn't be as full on as there's more of a pattern to the week. It's impossible to know what a typical day is though for an AP as the role is so different even within Departments. Good luck!

Betty123. · 07-05-2021 12:20pm

Anyone any idea when the results of the video recording will be? Completed 27th April 2021

starringme · 07-05-2021 3:54pm

Betty123. wrote: »

Anyone any idea when the results of the video recording will be? Completed 27th April 2021

mine took 3 weeks

Betty123. · 07-05-2021 5:22pm

Ok. Thank you. I wonder is that a standard or is it dependent on how many people to be assessed or vids to be assessed

dee75 · 11-05-2021 3:04pm

Latest Etray results are out.

derailed · 11-05-2021 3:28pm

Just got etray results. All 3's across the competency board and through to final stage. Delighted. Thanks to all the posters for their words of advice/wisdom here. Really thought it hadn't gone my way. There is hope. Best of luck again to anyone remaining at the various stages of this competition.

busher07 · 11-05-2021 4:29pm

Well Done

machalla · 11-05-2021 7:50pm

Passed the etray earlier. Any idea as to how soon before any interviews take place or is it based on the results of the video interviews and etray to determine a ranking?

dee75 · 11-05-2021 8:49pm

I had to pick my ego up off the floor and dust it off. I didn't pass the Etray. Failed leadership and drive/commitment.

To be honest, I'm a bit surprised given I've panelled twice already in the 2016 and 2018 competitions but didn't accept the AP offers made to me at the time. Odd to pass Etray and interviews twice before, but to fail this time.

Ah well, assume I must have messed up somewhere.

Best of luck to everyone who's through to the final stage.

derailed · 11-05-2021 10:01pm

Sorry to hear that. Very hard to take that in. Seems the format of the etray keeps changing with different test providers and so on.

Hopefully another competition will be announced within the coming year given the anticipated numbers of retirements and so on.

Ravelleman · 11-05-2021 10:43pm

machalla wrote: »

Passed the etray earlier. Any idea as to how soon before any interviews take place or is it based on the results of the video interviews and etray to determine a ranking?

No ranking; those who pass go through to interview in no particular order. PAS will assign you your time and date. In my case at the end of 2020, the interview was within around two weeks of etray result. It moves quite quickly overall after the video interview is marked.

starringme · 12-05-2021 12:31pm

Have people found that the interview style allows you to give a STAR-based answer for the competencies or are you expected to give multiple, shorter, examples?

If the former, do they tend to ask you about the example on your form? I have stronger answers to at least two competencies now (over a year since I did the form), so if I'm asked about the form example can I say 'but a better example is...'?

Ravelleman · 12-05-2021 7:58pm

starringme wrote: »

If the former, do they tend to ask you about the example on your form? I have stronger answers to at least two competencies now (over a year since I did the form), so if I'm asked about the form example can I say 'but a better example is...'?

You can use any example you want. When prompting you to speak about a specific example, rather than asking a question about an example you have already given, they will usually ask you to refer to the example on your form or any other you choose. Bear in mind also that the form had only one specific competency example on it; the other boxes were summaries.

TaurenDruid · 12-05-2021 8:12pm

dee75 wrote: »

I had to pick my ego up off the floor and dust it off. I didn't pass the Etray. Failed leadership and drive/commitment.

To be honest, I'm a bit surprised given I've panelled twice already in the 2016 and 2018 competitions but didn't accept the AP offers made to me at the time. Odd to pass Etray and interviews twice before, but to fail this time.

Ah well, assume I must have messed up somewhere.

Best of luck to everyone who's through to the final stage.

Hard luck, Dee. The etray seems to be something of a lottery. I've failed one, passed one, and couldn't honestly tell you what I did differently between the two.

machalla · 12-05-2021 10:03pm

Ravelleman wrote: »

No ranking; those who pass go through to interview in no particular order. PAS will assign you your time and date. In my case at the end of 2020, the interview was within around two weeks of etray result. It moves quite quickly overall after the video interview is marked.

Just to mention that I got the etray results yesterday and have an interview date as of today. So the same experience as yourself Ravelleman. Thanks.

ammg · 13-05-2021 9:32am

Anyone do the video assessment for the Irish panel?

Betty123. · 13-05-2021 3:39pm

Any video interview results from 27th April out yet?

derailed · 13-05-2021 4:35pm

Betty123. wrote: »

Any video interview results from 27th April out yet?

Not yet from talking to someone else earlier about the Stage 2 Video Interview but this competition is moving on very swiftly. From getting etray Stage 3 results on Tuesday, I have already received an invite to Stage 4 Final Interview on Thursday of next week. So I would expect to hear something soon on Video Interview Results.

Cheeseplant · 13-05-2021 4:52pm

derailed wrote: »

Not yet from talking to someone else earlier about the Stage 2 Video Interview but this competition is moving on very swiftly. From getting etray Stage 3 results on Tuesday, I have already received an invite to Stage 4 Final Interview on Thursday of next week. So I would expect to hear something soon on Video Interview Results.

that is not a lot of time to prep!! :eek:

derailed · 13-05-2021 5:01pm

Cheeseplant wrote: »

that is not a lot of time to prep!! :eek:

Agree could have done with more time but things moving swiftly. Will give it my attention for the next week and only advantage is that I have had an internal AP interview in recent weeks which was useful in terms of preparation for this next one coming up.

dee75 · 13-05-2021 6:24pm

derailed wrote: »

Not yet from talking to someone else earlier about the Stage 2 Video Interview but this competition is moving on very swiftly. From getting etray Stage 3 results on Tuesday, I have already received an invite to Stage 4 Final Interview on Thursday of next week. So I would expect to hear something soon on Video Interview Results.

Well done! That seems very fast turn around to Stage 4. I wonder is it indicative of regional vacancies needing filling. Are you comfortable sharing your selected counties or general region?

derailed · 13-05-2021 6:37pm

dee75 wrote: »

Well done! That seems very fast turn around to Stage 4. I wonder is it indicative of regional vacancies needing filling. Are you comfortable sharing your selected counties or general region?

Thanks! Yes it's a very fast turnaround and may well be a sign of further imminent competitions on the horizon with so many places needing to be filled following multiple retirements and promotions and so on.

I selected Dublin No.1 on the basis of numbers of positions while also keeping in mind possibilities for remote working allowing for locational flexibility (even though application was submitted in mid April of last year when we were just one month into WFH). My second choice was Carlow which was made based on connections to area and also No.2 due to the much greater possibility of an offer through the Dublin Panel if successful.

starringme · 14-05-2021 10:03am

What are the competencies you're asked on? Is it like the form/stage 2 interview with only leadership, judgement and management with the other 3 marked within those answers? I don't see an actual clarification anywhere.

Cheeseplant · 14-05-2021 10:20am

The competencies are listed here https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/PAS_CS_Competency_Models_Assistant%20Principal.pdf
you would usually be quizzed on the top 4: leadership, M and D of results, A & D/judgement, inter and comms. Drive and commitment can be a separate competency or evaluated from the 4 above. Specialised knowledge can sometimes be a separate competency (e.g. in the case of a technical/ specialised role) but I imagine will be judged over all comps above in this as a general competition.

disclaimer: I haven't sat an AP open interview so open to correction!

Ravelleman · 14-05-2021 2:22pm

Cheeseplant wrote: »

The competencies are listed here https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/PAS_CS_Competency_Models_Assistant%20Principal.pdf
you would usually be quizzed on the top 4: leadership, M and D of results, A & D/judgement, inter and comms. Drive and commitment can be a separate competency or evaluated from the 4 above. Specialised knowledge can sometimes be a separate competency (e.g. in the case of a technical/ specialised role) but I imagine will be judged over all comps above in this as a general competition.

disclaimer: I haven't sat an AP open interview so open to correction!

It's actually five, if I recall correctly: drive and commitment is merged into management and delivery, and specialist knowledge is addressed separately (in my case by the chair). It's a blur to be honest and, although I was successful, I remember being slightly surprised by it all at the time.

starringme · 14-05-2021 2:50pm

So you're actually asked for examples on all 5 with drive etc. measured by your other answers? I remember being surprised in the HEO interview that there was a specialist knowledge question as there wasn't one on the form, I had to absolutely wing it.

PAS are being vague af

NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

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