Clerical Officer 2018

tringle · 17-06-2018 12:13pm

Filling in the application and I have 30 years of work experience to get through. Do I really need to convert 16 years to months? Also two jobs were concurrent over 12 years and I didn't work during the summer months, they don't make it easy do they. Though still easier than the HSE competency based one.

lizzie92 · 17-06-2018 9:04pm

This post has been deleted.

clroff · 17-06-2018 9:45pm

It's a no brainer to apply for it. Everyone should. There's an online test, see how you go.

It's question time when/if they invite you to the interview. That mightn't be for a year or more and you don't know what your situation will be then.

Crunchymomma · 18-06-2018 8:26am

lizzie92 wrote: »

Hi guys, I'm thinking about applying for it, but I'm worried by all the negative comments that I have found online - especially about the pay.

I'm currently in retail, my hourly wage is €12 and it's a good wage for what my expenses currently are. My boyfriend and I rent a small apartment, I don't have a car but I am planning to get one in the future. I can afford my bills, savings etc - having said that, what would be the lowest hourly rate for a newbie clerical officer? I'll have to do some maths to see if I would be able to manage on a lower pay.

I'm intrigued by the benefits but it's the pay that scares me.

Technically it's like 11.80 an hour. Starting annual salary is 23107 for a 37.5hr week. I think it's about 380 after tax

The money is definitely not amazing, when I joined I left a retail management position and took a fairly sizeable pay cut but for me it was worth it for the flexi time and not having to work weekends ever! There's also pretty good promotion opportunities. I came in off 2016 CO panel and am an EO now so I have made back some of the paycut I took and I will be going for HEO next year once I'm eligible

HugoMyBoss · 18-06-2018 9:36am

clroff wrote: »

I am another who got in from the 2016 panel. I knew very little about it and put in a lot of research beforehand. I remember some positive and some negative responses. But here's my take on it after a year.

I knew what the pay would be like. It's poor at the start. But I was unemployed at the time so for me it was great. Guaranteed increases each year and I'm really hoping to grab an EO position within about 5 years which would put me over €40k within a few short years, rising eventually to close to €50k.

Sir Ophiuchus · 18-06-2018 10:22am

lizzie92 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I have friends in retail. If you're in shift work, moving to a fixed (and flexible!) schedule with no hassle about booking time off can make a huge difference in terms of quality of life.

schoopi · 18-06-2018 6:02pm

Quick question regarding Section 3 of the application form - did anyone manage to electronically sign in the box where is says name of applicant - when I try to electronically sign I get a message advising that I have opened a fillable PDF form.

Thanks for any help/pointers.

Yamanoto · 18-06-2018 6:42pm

Crunchymomma wrote: »

Technically it's like 11.80 an hour. Starting annual salary is 23107 for a 37.5hr week. I think it's about 380 after tax

The money is definitely not amazing, when I joined I left a retail management position and took a fairly sizeable pay cut but for me it was worth it for the flexi time and not having to work weekends ever! There's also pretty good promotion opportunities. I came in off 2016 CO panel and am an EO now so I have made back some of the paycut I took and I will be going for HEO next year once I'm eligible

Was that not as a result of applying for EO via an external competition though?

jules86 · 18-06-2018 7:02pm

Betty10 wrote: »

OrangeBadger wrote: »

Good thing I'm in Sligo.....

I'm applying for the first time, looking for advice about which counties I should apply for to get chance of job - my nearest would be Leitrim but I am an easy commute to either Sligo or Longford.

Last few campaigns had little intake in both Leitrim and Sligo. Make sure you have Longford down

Crunchymomma · 18-06-2018 7:18pm

Yamanoto wrote: »

Was that not as a result of applying for EO via an external competition though?

Yes it was an open comp, but many CS are promoted through open competition. The new EO will open toward the end of this year and I would encourage all who went for CO To go for it too

Betty10 · 18-06-2018 8:34pm

jules86 wrote: »

Last few campaigns had little intake in both Leitrim and Sligo. Make sure you have Longford down

Thanks for that info - will definitely include Longford,

Samjd · 18-06-2018 8:58pm

Crunchymomma wrote: »

Yes it was an open comp, but many CS are promoted through open competition. The new EO will open toward the end of this year and I would encourage all who went for CO To go for it too

Crunchymomma do you know if the entry requirements for EO comp are now 2years as CO and 3 higher level subjects at LC or 5 higher level subject or Degree etc.? I thought the 2 years CO experience was enough with pass LC but looks like that changed.....

Blanco100 · 18-06-2018 9:11pm

Another very basic question. Are you kidding yourself entering the civil service as a clerical officer in your mid 30s?

You will never be able to avail of the pension on offer as I heard you need 35 or 40 years of continuous service.

Is this a correct assumption ?

Crunchymomma · 18-06-2018 9:39pm

Samjd wrote: »

Crunchymomma do you know if the entry requirements for EO comp are now 2years as CO and 3 higher level subjects at LC or 5 higher level subject or Degree etc.? I thought the 2 years CO experience was enough with pass LC but looks like that changed.....

I can't see any reference to any educational requirements for the interdepartmental stream of 2016 campaign so I think just two years service is sufficient

Crunchymomma · 18-06-2018 9:41pm

Blanco100 wrote: »

Another very basic question. Are you kidding yourself entering the civil service as a clerical officer in your mid 30s?

You will never be able to avail of the pension on offer as I heard you need 35 or 40 years of continuous service.

Is this a correct assumption ?

Most of the people who interviewed with me were in their thirties and forties. I seem to be a real novelty in my area being so young (mid 20s)

phatkev · 18-06-2018 9:48pm

Anybody know where you get the candidate ID for the application form? I know its probably right in front of me and I'm completely missing it

Lee085 · 18-06-2018 10:31pm

I can't for the life of me download the application form... Any whizzes out there that could give some help??! Please ðŸ€ž

Crunchymomma · 18-06-2018 11:30pm

phatkev wrote: »

Anybody know where you get the candidate ID for the application form? I know its probably right in front of me and I'm completely missing it

It's on your profile on public jobs

tringle · 19-06-2018 8:12am

Lee085 wrote: »

I can't for the life of me download the application form... Any whizzes out there that could give some help??! Please ðŸ€ž

Yep it drove me mad too. You have to have a new PDF reader, so firstly I just googled Adobe PDF reader, dowloafed and installed the newest one and then was able to open the form. Its a dynamic PDF form. I thought my Adobe was up to date but obviously not.

Qreq · 19-06-2018 8:59am

Don't get excited if you get a text to check your Public Jobs messages today - it's just about their data protection obligations (GDPR).

Big Vern · 19-06-2018 3:57pm

Has anyone a copy of the PDF Application Form. Id like to see whats in it, cant download new PDF reader as its blocked in work.
Will have to apply on laptop at home.

tringle · 20-06-2018 8:24am

Big Vern wrote: »

Has anyone a copy of the PDF Application Form. Id like to see whats in it, cant download new PDF reader as its blocked in work.
Will have to apply on laptop at home.

Its just previous job history and education and a box for extra info. Nothing at all like the HSE competency based form or skills based questions at all.

El Weirdo · 20-06-2018 9:58am

HugoMyBoss wrote: »

Any more info?, never heard anything about it?

http://www.impact.ie/public-service-stability-agreement/proposed-public-service-stability-agreement-faqs/

jackg101 · 20-06-2018 10:01am

Does anyone know when the online aptitude tests will take place and if anyone can recommend any good websites to practice, that would be greatly appreciated? I've put my 1 down as Cork and my 2 Kildare, how quick do you think these would go through?

Kate2293 · 20-06-2018 11:04am

Blanco100 wrote: »

Another very basic question. Are you kidding yourself entering the civil service as a clerical officer in your mid 30s?

You will never be able to avail of the pension on offer as I heard you need 35 or 40 years of continuous service.

Is this a correct assumption ?

40 years for full lump sum pension. You'll still get a significant pension without the 40 years service though.

OrangeBadger · 20-06-2018 12:10pm

Wonder will they try to cut down on people cheating with the online tests.

ESMITH29 · 20-06-2018 12:20pm

OrangeBadger wrote: »

Wonder will they try to cut down on people cheating with the online tests.

You can cheat all you want in the first test but the second assessment is identical to the first, only supervised, so you'd be caught off fairly quick.

lisabiscuit · 20-06-2018 1:51pm

Best of luck everyone! Just submitted my application. I got into Gisc on the 2016 competition and while I actually like it, I wished I had had more patience and held out for Galway. I was too afraid to miss the boat and so I took the first one I was offered. We'll see how it goes this time round!

fin12 · 20-06-2018 2:18pm

lisabiscuit wrote: »

Best of luck everyone! Just submitted my application. I got into Gisc on the 2016 competition and while I actually like it, I wished I had had more patience and held out for Galway. I was too afraid to miss the boat and so I took the first one I was offered. We'll see how it goes this time round!

What’s Gisc?

Crunchymomma · 20-06-2018 2:48pm

fin12 wrote: »

What’s Gisc?

Garda information service centre. It's in castlebar.

Shopassistant · 20-06-2018 5:15pm

Do you get an email saying your application for the position has been sent? My screen went blank when I submitted my application so I don't know if it went through or not.

20-06-2018 6:09pm

lisabiscuit wrote: »

Best of luck everyone! Just submitted my application. I got into Gisc on the 2016 competition and while I actually like it, I wished I had had more patience and held out for Galway. I was too afraid to miss the boat and so I took the first one I was offered. We'll see how it goes this time round!

Can I ask why you wish you held out? Just a location preference?

lisabiscuit · 21-06-2018 8:37am

Vaughn Straight Swan wrote: »

Can I ask why you wish you held out? Just a location preference?

Pretty much yes. I was a bit higher up on the Galway panel and it didn't seem to be moving at all. So when offered Castlebar (about an hour and ten minutes away) I just took it. Get the foot in the door as they say. But had I been patient I would have gotten Galway. But if this job and this team was in Galway I'd be happy out.

idunno78 · 21-06-2018 12:46pm

ESMITH29 wrote: »

OrangeBadger wrote: »

Wonder will they try to cut down on people cheating with the online tests.

You can cheat all you want in the first test but the second assessment is identical to the first, only supervised, so you'd be caught off fairly quick.

Would people not be able to cheat if first and second test is same? Screengrab the first test and learn the answers of? Surely for that reason they would be different?

Kate2293 · 21-06-2018 12:50pm

idunno78 wrote: »

Would people not be able to cheat if first and second test is same? Screengrab the first test and learn the answers of? Surely for that reason they would be different?

he meant that they are both abtitude tests. Obviously not going to be the exact same questions on both.

fin12 · 21-06-2018 1:09pm

idunno78 wrote: »

Would people not be able to cheat if first and second test is same? Screengrab the first test and learn the answers of? Surely for that reason they would be different?

But wouldn’t you be caught for time doing screen grabs while doing the test at the same time, they say to do the test on pc or laptop so how would u do the screengrabs with ur phone?

MD! · 21-06-2018 1:18pm

Hello, I was wondering if someone could help. I am mid-30s and thinking of applying for the CO position but the salary drop is a bit off putting (not a massive drop btw). Should I bide my time and apply for an EO position when it opens? What even is the difference between EO and CO?

idunno78 · 21-06-2018 9:01pm

fin12 wrote: »

idunno78 wrote: »

Would people not be able to cheat if first and second test is same? Screengrab the first test and learn the answers of? Surely for that reason they would be different?

He said identical! I know they are going to be the same basis but wouldn’t call that identical! Same format!

But wouldn’t you be caught for time doing screen grabs while doing the test at the same time, they say to do the test on pc or laptop so how would u do the screengrabs with ur phone?

You would imagine it wouldn’t be worthwhile taking sceengrabs (prntscreen) as would take away a lot of time on laptop! Im sure at least one person would try it!

mel_g · 21-06-2018 10:52pm

MD! wrote: »

Hello, I was wondering if someone could help. I am mid-30s and thinking of applying for the CO position but the salary drop is a bit off putting (not a massive drop btw). Should I bide my time and apply for an EO position when it opens? What even is the difference between EO and CO?

I would say apply for it. Even if you don't get a position or end up not taking one it is great experience to go through the process if you are considering going for the EO.

I started as a CO last year and a few months later my place came up on the EO panel and rather than let me go to another department, mine requested that I stay.

The difference starting off pay wise is around 23k versus 29k. As a CO a lot of was data entry but we were really busy and the work was varied enough not to be boring. There can be some places that don't have a steady stream of work and I know CO's that find the days very long.

As an EO you have to check and sign off on the work of a CO. The work is more interesting as the section I'm in now deals with a lot of legal issues, I attend more meetings as an EO and get to have a real input in designing new systems of work. They are also very encouraging if you want to take up additional 3rd level studies. The in house civil service One Learning also has some really good 1 day training courses

I get you on the salary drop, I dropped almost 7k to take the job as a CO last year but come October this year I will be earning more than my old job. So it was only a short term loss and to be honest flexi time is worth so much more than money.

mel_g · 21-06-2018 11:12pm

Kate2293 wrote: »

40 years for full lump sum pension. You'll still get a significant pension without the 40 years service though.

The 40 year rule to qualify for a pension does not apply to new entrants. Any new entrant since 2013 is a member of the Single Pension Scheme. This is a defined benefit scheme.
In each pay period, you contribute towards:
your retirement lump sum benefit; and
your annual retirement pension benefit.
Your pensionable earnings largely determine how much you earn as benefit amounts in each pay period.

It is not a great scheme tbh. In general you don't get it until you're 68. I entered service last year, and based on my age and salary I will get a pension of around 4k. You can see more here: https://singlepensionscheme.gov.ie/for-members/scheme-information/single-scheme-estimator-tool/

HugoMyBoss · 22-06-2018 8:34am

mel_g wrote: »

The 40 year rule to qualify for a pension does not apply to new entrants. Any new entrant since 2013 is a member of the Single Pension Scheme. This is a defined benefit scheme.
In each pay period, you contribute towards:
your retirement lump sum benefit; and
your annual retirement pension benefit.
Your pensionable earnings largely determine how much you earn as benefit amounts in each pay period.

It is not a great scheme tbh. In general you don't get it until you're 68. I entered service last year, and based on my age and salary I will get a pension of around 4k. You can see more here: https://singlepensionscheme.gov.ie/for-members/scheme-information/single-scheme-estimator-tool/

4k a year???

OrangeBadger · 23-06-2018 6:43pm

idunno78 wrote: »

You would imagine it wouldn’t be worthwhile taking sceengrabs (prntscreen) as would take away a lot of time on laptop! Im sure at least one person would try it!

You get a friend to go through the process and they screen grab all the questions. Then you can view them and do your test once you have prepared.

This is what is currently happening.

claregal1 · 23-06-2018 8:26pm

OrangeBadger wrote: »

You get a friend to go through the process and they screen grab all the questions. Then you can view them and do your test once you have prepared.

This is what is currently happening.

That's pathetic cheating .. hopefully PAS are reading this and change the whole format and do it like the CC exam where it is done by hand and top 100 per county then called for interview

idunno78 · 24-06-2018 2:34am

I agree. You would think they would have the cop on that people could do this and have them different for each test. Having them identical is pretty unfair!

Tipp star · 24-06-2018 8:11am

^^^ Thats pretty depressing to read. I applied last time around, I will apply again- I just hope PAS use a different test to the cut-e ones used last time. I practised but they really did'nt suit me at all at all.

Crunchymomma · 24-06-2018 9:26am

Not everyone gets the same test. Last time several of my friends also sat them and we all had questions that others didn't get. I think there is a bank of questions it picks from

24-06-2018 12:06pm

OrangeBadger wrote: »

You get a friend to go through the process and they screen grab all the questions. Then you can view them and do your test once you have prepared.

This is what is currently happening.

I went for my first test supervised recently in a recent campaign and when I came out this was one of the first things I realized when I saw the test was identical at the second round. I imagine it is happening as there was people next to me clicking so fast there was no way they could have read the question.

Xenji · 24-06-2018 12:16pm

The TCO test has not changed in 3 years from what I have seen with friends who have done it, so it is always wise to actually take note of how you answer in some of these tests.

Mc Love · 25-06-2018 9:49am

I know of a qualified garda that had her mother do her online tests for her!

Blanco100 · 25-06-2018 9:57am

There is a candidate ID section on the application form. Is this to be filled internally or is it something we need to complete?

Clerical Officer 2018

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