2019 AO Competition announced

Dani000 · 26-10-2019 12:47pm

Does anyone know if there is a word count on the Description of duties part? I'm having trouble copying all of my text in from Word.

elWizard · 26-10-2019 2:05pm

Dani000 wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is a word count on the Description of duties part? I'm having trouble copying all of my text in from Word.

It looks from a quick check that there is a 1000-character limit in each of the Description of duties textboxes, 'fraid so, yes.

sj20111 · 27-10-2019 11:35am

Does anyone know if the subsequent steps in the process are merely pass/fail, or if we'll receive new OOMs after each additional stage of the process, depending on our results in each step?

OutForTender · 27-10-2019 12:44pm

They are pass fail but you move up the ranking when people above you fail.

Samuel T. Cogley · 27-10-2019 12:47pm

Interviews are scored which will result in a new OOM.

Dublinensis · 27-10-2019 2:23pm

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

Interviews are scored which will result in a new OOM.

Will the new OOM be based solely on interview scores or on a combination of interview scores and test scores?

Samuel T. Cogley · 27-10-2019 2:44pm

Dublinensis wrote: »

Will the new OOM be based solely on interview scores or on a combination of interview scores and test scores?

There you've got me.

whampiri · 28-10-2019 9:16pm

It should be the same as previous years where its interview score only.

Heart Break Kid · 29-10-2019 8:04am

whampiri wrote: »

It should be the same as previous years where its interview score only.

Yep I’d say so, all the prior rounds are simply about cutting the number of people down to a manageable amount. Any idea when the video interviews are out?

Shinball123 · 29-10-2019 10:44pm

Hi,
Could anyone shed some light on what kind of questions the video interview would ask for the Business/Finance stream?
Would it be technical questions or experience/qualifications?
Much gratitude in advance

Messi19 · 31-10-2019 6:02pm

Got the familiarisation material for the video interview. Not sure whether to laugh or cry at the questions

Heart Break Kid · 31-10-2019 7:48pm

Messi19 wrote: »

Got the familiarisation material for the video interview. Not sure whether to laugh or cry at the questions

Yeah trying to wrap my head around question 1. Kind of a stab in the face.

Shinball123 · 01-11-2019 3:27pm

Well,
At least we get the questions in advance. Fielding those in live format would have been quite the stumper!

The_Conductor · 01-11-2019 4:23pm

Shinball123 wrote: »

Well,
At least we get the questions in advance. Fielding those in live format would have been quite the stumper!

I'm not clear what we're supposed to do with having the questions in advance- google answers to try and give ourselves a crash course before we do the interview?

Anyhow- it seems incredibly arbitrary.

Does anyone know can you do the 3 minute segments separate to each other- or do you have to do them all in the one sitting?

Also- with the exception of the knock-out question- how is the thing marked?

Why, why, why...…….?

Messi19 · 01-11-2019 4:24pm

I wonder how many won't bother

The_Conductor · 01-11-2019 4:33pm

Messi19 wrote: »

I wonder how many won't bother

If you took the time to do the online test, you're hardly going to chicken out at this stage- you have already invested time and effort in getting to where you are already...…….?

DetteDublin · 01-11-2019 6:39pm

Is the video familiarising material coming through on the message board or by email. Nothing here yet, General stream. Application was submitted on time and acknowledged. TIA

Messi19 · 01-11-2019 7:00pm

DetteDublin wrote: »

Is the video familiarising material coming through on the message board or by email. Nothing here yet, General stream. Application was submitted on time and acknowledged. TIA

Only for business and finance or hr, not general

Heart Break Kid · 01-11-2019 7:04pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

I'm not clear what we're supposed to do with having the questions in advance- google answers to try and give ourselves a crash course before we do the interview?

Anyhow- it seems incredibly arbitrary.

Does anyone know can you do the 3 minute segments separate to each other- or do you have to do them all in the one sitting?

Also- with the exception of the knock-out question- how is the thing marked?

Why, why, why...…….?

I’d assume a crash course is probably required, luckily though EU and ROI financial policies are easy enough to find. Somewhat confused regarding the level of detail required.

From doing other automated video interviews such as Bank of Ireland, I’d assume the questions are separate. I remember being told it’s less about the answers or even what you look like but more the speaking prowess you have and confidence too. I’d assume it’s a pass/fail to reach their required quota.

I do think a few won’t bother as they either won’t have a webcam or not that interested in doing with their phone.

BlondeLou · 01-11-2019 11:56pm

I did the most recent AP HR Video Interview and this is the stage where they seem to knock out the most people.

Nobody I knew off (a good number in my department) got through from this. Very poor feedback also.

It’s there to knock out another good chunk I think.

OutForTender · 02-11-2019 5:41pm

Anyone have any insight on Question 3 in the Business and Finance?

It's not asking how I would do something, its asking how I actually do it but I cant say I have any experience with this or any examples to give.

3. How do you ensure an evidence-based approach is taken when conducting research on the financial services sector which allows for good policy-making decisions?

FoxyLoxy4 · 03-11-2019 4:22pm

Has anyone chanced doing it yet?! I've never done anything like this before... I'm finding it all a bit daunting

FoxyLoxy4 · 03-11-2019 4:32pm

Can you take a break between questions or is it one after the other?! Any feedback would be gratefully received!!!!!

The_Conductor · 03-11-2019 7:31pm

Haven't had a chance to do it yet. Looking likely I'll have to take a few hours off tomorrow to do research and get it done. Young kids on midterm break, weekends and mayhem- don't help with trying to find some time out...........

mac1ntosh · 03-11-2019 7:50pm

I haven't either, looking like it will be tomorrow morning for me!

Heart Break Kid · 03-11-2019 7:58pm

somewhat relieved Im not the only one who hasn't done it yet.

FoxyLoxy4 · 03-11-2019 8:07pm

Just did it there. Its fine. Time to compose yourself in between questions. Once you hit the 'go' button you have 30 seconds before you actually start speaking. Hard to tell how I did but it's done now. I've never experienced a video interview before so it was good to do of nothing else....best of luck everyone!

Heart Break Kid · 03-11-2019 8:43pm

FoxyLoxy4 wrote: »

Just did it there. Its fine. Time to compose yourself in between questions. Once you hit the 'go' button you have 30 seconds before you actually start speaking. Hard to tell how I did but it's done now. I've never experienced a video interview before so it was good to do of nothing else....best of luck everyone!

Did you find you had enough time in the 3 mins or did you tend to run out?

FoxyLoxy4 · 03-11-2019 8:51pm

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Did you find you had enough time in the 3 mins or did you tend to run out?

You can end it before the 3 mins if you feel you've said enough. I was there or there abouts for the 3 questions but thats probably because I only did a bit of prep this afternoon and then just went for it. 3 mins is a long time when youre under pressure!!! I didnt realise you could end it if you've enough said before the 3mins are up for question 1 so I probably did waffle.. but anyways... its very hard to judge.

Heart Break Kid · 04-11-2019 1:36am

Just on Q1, anyone give me an idea how detailed people were on Q1. Not a specialty of mine and dont want to cram too much in either.

mac1ntosh · 04-11-2019 1:44pm

Just completed it there. You can take as much time as you need between the 3 questions, and like what FoxyLoxy said you have 30 seconds before you're allowed to answer the question when you click into it. The 3 minutes fly! Hard to know how I did, I definitely waffled a bit but hopefully got the main points in. Best of luck everybody

mac1ntosh · 04-11-2019 1:47pm

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Just on Q1, anyone give me an idea how detailed people were on Q1. Not a specialty of mine and dont want to cram too much in either.

I didn't go into too much detail, just a general overview of national and eu policy. I wouldnt have had the time to go into great detail!

Messi19 · 04-11-2019 7:26pm

Well that was an absolute disaster for me. Hadn't a clue what to say and ended up trying not to laugh at myself on the screen.

At least I got through the tests

Heart Break Kid · 04-11-2019 10:26pm

Messi19 wrote: »

Well that was an absolute disaster for me. Hadn't a clue what to say and ended up trying not to laugh at myself on the screen.

At least I got through the tests

can you chose what question first, literally about to do it now.

Messi19 · 04-11-2019 10:28pm

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

can you chose what question first, literally about to do it now.

No

Heart Break Kid · 04-11-2019 11:54pm

Done, utilized bit of a cheat sheet so refereed to it the odd time but went ok ish in my opinion but haven't a breeze on banking policy.

jw_sweetman · 06-11-2019 6:25pm

Slightly off topic but has anyone else here applied for the policy analyst comp?

vriesmays · 06-11-2019 6:39pm

jw_sweetman wrote: »

Slightly off topic but has anyone else here applied for the policy analyst comp?

You know people who've done the video interviews are waiting for the results and can see this thread has a new post and then think everyone's results must be out only to see your off-topic post.

Ravelleman · 06-11-2019 7:59pm

vriesmays wrote: »

You know people who've done the video interviews are waiting for the results and can see this thread has a new post and then think everyone's results must be out only to see your off-topic post.

Surely your post has the same effect.

In any case, I would suggest getting used to it, as some Civil Service recruitment threads run for two years.

OutForTender · 06-11-2019 8:01pm

vriesmays wrote: »

You know people who've done the video interviews are waiting for the results and can see this thread has a new post and then think everyone's results must be out only to see your off-topic post.

Is this sarcasm?

The interview was two days ago. They even extended it until the end of tonight.

If you see any notifications over the next two weeks, assume it's not the results.

deargdeabhil · 11-11-2019 2:28pm

Results are out. Thankfully I passed, best of luck to everyone...
Next phase is the assessment centre on the 20th,21st and 22nd nov, anyone got any idea what this entails?

Heart Break Kid · 11-11-2019 2:45pm

Results out for Business & Finance. Alas I did not get in, a lot of misplaced confidence by the looks of my results. From the looks of the below I got no marks for Q1 or Q2 which I think meant that they didn't review the first 2 videos as the first one they reviewed was of sufficient standard to continue.

The maximum score in each of the competencies was 100 and the qualifying score in each was 41.

Please find below a breakdown of your scores:

Question 1

"What knowledge do you have of national / EU policy in relation to the banking/financial services sector?":

N/A

I referenced 3 National & 3 EU banking/Financial policies and some small parts of legislation such as the Finance Bill 2019 and the stages they were at in the Oireachtas. Also some small piece on RIAs.

Got no marks or an N/A

Question 2

"An Administrative Officer would be expected to assist in the preparation of legislation and assist bringing it through the Oireachtas. What skills do you think you could contribute to this process?":

N/A

Went through the legislative process and the 5 core steps of bring it through the Oireachtas and touch on the core competencies and tried to relate them to what I do. Kind of ran out of time on this question but again no marks or N/A which I'm assuming means they may have not watched this question.

Question 3

"How do you ensure an evidence-based approach is taken when conducting research on the financial services sector which allows for good policy-making decisions?":

Got some marks for this but in the 30s so still a fail. Thought it was my strongest answer though. Have some experience in researching legislation albeit not financial. Again discussed RIAs and comparative approaches with a focus on objectivity and methodologies. Potentially answered this completely the wrong way which I thought was surprising.

The Board's summary comment in relation to your video interview submission is as follows:

The candidate did not demonstrate, at the level required for the Administrative Officer role, the requirement and delivery of an evidence based approach when conducting research on the Financial Services Sector and/or its relationship with good policy making decisions. As outlined in previous correspondence, due to the importance of this area in the Administrative Officer - Business and Finance role, as you were deemed not to meet the standard on the basis of the answer provided in this area, the remainder of your video interview will not be reviewed or assessed.

End feedback would confirm that first 2 questions weren't reviewed, overall disappointing as genuinely put in 5 or so hours into researching for the video to cover all my bases.

Interesting overall and would love to get an idea of how people did and what approach they took to answering the questions.

rostalof · 11-11-2019 3:36pm

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Results out for Business & Finance. Alas I did not get in, a lot of misplaced confidence by the looks of my results. From the looks of the below I got no marks for Q1 or Q2 which I think meant that they didn't review the first 2 videos as the first one they reviewed was of sufficient standard to continue.

I referenced 3 National & 3 EU banking/Financial policies and some small parts of legislation such as the Finance Bill 2019 and the stages they were at in the Oireachtas. Also some small piece on RIAs.

Got no marks or an N/A

Went through the legislative process and the 5 core steps of bring it through the Oireachtas and touch on the core competencies and tried to relate them to what I do. Kind of ran out of time on this question but again no marks or N/A which I'm assuming means they may have not watched this question.

Got some marks for this but in the 30s so still a fail. Thought it was my strongest answer though. Have some experience in researching legislation albeit not financial. Again discussed RIAs and comparative approaches with a focus on objectivity and methodologies. Potentially answered this completely the wrong way which I thought was surprising.

End feedback would confirm that first 2 questions weren't reviewed, overall disappointing as genuinely put in 5 or so hours into researching for the video to cover all my bases.

Interesting overall and would love to get an idea of how people did and what approach they took to answering the questions.

I'd request further information from PAS. That looks like it could have been a technical issue and your answers weren't saved for questions 1 & 2. It wouldn't be the first time that the technology has been unreliable.

Do you know for certain that a mark in the 30s is a fail? Each question may have been marked out of 50.

deargdeabhil · 11-11-2019 3:53pm

Heart Break Kid ... Hard luck and sorry you didn't qualify...
Your answers sounded great and you put in a lot of work. I approached it more from what I could offer and how I've covered similar areas to the questions asked during my civil and public service career.
I think it stated that if you didnt pass question 3, then they would not review question 1 and 2. I reckon that's what happened?

Heart Break Kid · 11-11-2019 4:26pm

deargdeabhil wrote: »

Heart Break Kid ... Hard luck and sorry you didn't qualify...
Your answers sounded great and you put in a lot of work. I approached it more from what I could offer and how I've covered similar areas to the questions asked during my civil and public service career.
I think it stated that if you didnt pass question 3, then they would not review question 1 and 2. I reckon that's what happened?

Cheers, its what I think myself, would be interesting to understand what they were actually looking for in terms of their answers. but best of luck to any who got through. Still have a long shot on general one anyway,

FoxyLoxy4 · 11-11-2019 8:47pm

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Results out for Business & Finance. Alas I did not get in, a lot of misplaced confidence by the looks of my results. From the looks of the below I got no marks for Q1 or Q2 which I think meant that they didn't review the first 2 videos as the first one they reviewed was of sufficient standard to continue.

I referenced 3 National & 3 EU banking/Financial policies and some small parts of legislation such as the Finance Bill 2019 and the stages they were at in the Oireachtas. Also some small piece on RIAs.

Got no marks or an N/A

Went through the legislative process and the 5 core steps of bring it through the Oireachtas and touch on the core competencies and tried to relate them to what I do. Kind of ran out of time on this question but again no marks or N/A which I'm assuming means they may have not watched this question.

Got some marks for this but in the 30s so still a fail. Thought it was my strongest answer though. Have some experience in researching legislation albeit not financial. Again discussed RIAs and comparative approaches with a focus on objectivity and methodologies. Potentially answered this completely the wrong way which I thought was surprising.

End feedback would confirm that first 2 questions weren't reviewed, overall disappointing as genuinely put in 5 or so hours into researching for the video to cover all my bases.

Interesting overall and would love to get an idea of how people did and what approach they took to answering the questions.

Q
Hard luck Heart Break Kid. I suppose the experience of doing a video interview is good to have regardless. Will stand to you the next time. May I ask where you got feedback from? Did you request it or was it emailed out?

Jenor0050 · 12-11-2019 11:31am

What's the chances of general AO interviews taking place next week too?

elmo1984 · 12-11-2019 6:42pm

Yes invitations to assessment centre for general received today.

Any advice on the interview or tips for the presentation?

I don't see supervised tests listed as part of the process, is that strange?

JG2019 · 12-11-2019 8:16pm

elmo1984 wrote: »

Yes invitations to assessment centre for general received today.

Any advice on the interview or tips for the presentation?

I don't see supervised tests listed as part of the process, is that strange?

What order of merit are you if you don't mind me asking? I thought I would hear about the assessment centre but I haven't yet

The_Conductor · 12-11-2019 9:18pm

JG2019 wrote: »

What order of merit are you if you don't mind me asking? I thought I would hear about the assessment centre but I haven't yet

What no. are you in the general order of merit?
I'm in the low 30s and haven't heard anything (yet)

2019 AO Competition announced

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