2020 Executive Officer Civil Service

Jay328 · 26-07-2020 11:39am

Do you to have include leaving cert results if you satisfy the educational requirement with a level 7 or above?

It's been so long I dont know where my leaving results are or even if I still have them.

Rikand · 26-07-2020 11:56am

Jay328 wrote: »

Do you to have include leaving cert results if you satisfy the educational requirement with a level 7 or above?

It's been so long I dont know where my leaving results are or even if I still have them.

When I applied for CO, I never included on the application form that I had a leaving cert... just put down all my college stuff degree/masters etc...

When it came to the day of the interview, all was going grand and then they said they had just one last question :: " Do you have a leaving cert ? "

So yeah, I would say you should write down that you have one at least. If you want to make your application safe and want to include your results as it does state they are needed in the reqs then go to www.examinations.ie, click on the box on the right hand side " Statement of results and examination certificates " and click to get a statement of results which costs 14.50. Best 14.50 you'll ever spend

26-07-2020 12:19pm

Rikand wrote: »

When I applied for CO, I never included on the application form that I had a leaving cert... just put down all my college stuff degree/masters etc...

When it came to the day of the interview, all was going grand and then they said they had just one last question :: " Do you have a leaving cert ? "

So yeah, I would say you should write down that you have one at least. If you want to make your application safe and want to include your results as it does state they are needed in the reqs then go to www.examinations.ie, click on the box on the right hand side " Statement of results and examination certificates " and click to get a statement of results which costs 14.50. Best 14.50 you'll ever spend

i had my junior cert just in case when i went for the interview of the C/O but they never asked about it...just my work career

Or if you dont want to spend that money - go back to your school and they'll give you a copy...thats what i did

Jay328 · 26-07-2020 12:40pm

Brooks Incalculable Blackboard wrote: »

i had my junior cert just in case when i went for the interview of the C/O but they never asked about it...just my work career

Or if you dont want to spend that money - go back to your school and they'll give you a copy...thats what i did

I dont no what the situation is with schools at the minute with everything going on but that would be handy. I might just order them online and if they dont come before the submission date I will just put that I completed the leaving cert.

Clare122445 · 26-07-2020 12:56pm

hi just wanted to confirm if there will be a competency form?

I saw a post say there wouldn't, just wanted to double check with anyone who did this competition last time as to what the stages are

From the YouTube video on the role they advised stage 1 would be issued around the 17th aug which would be an online questionnaire, I presume the statement and the like me not like etc round.

They also stated on the video they envisage the panel being formed and first placements in November

gestappo · 26-07-2020 1:07pm

Anyone else guessing the first round of placements will be for DEASP!?

Clare122445 · 26-07-2020 1:18pm

gestappo wrote: »

Anyone else guessing the first round of placements will be for DEASP!?

I wouldn't think so, the panel get called upon as and when the HR departments request people.

It would completely depend on when the vacancies become available

There was a 2% pay increase due in October, I would imagine there was a large amount of people holding out to have that increase their pension.

If that still goes ahead with covid either way I imagine big numbers going, and hopefully many vacancies

Jammy2020 · 26-07-2020 1:30pm

As far as I know your tco experience is counted towards service when you are applying interdepartmental.

Dublintigger wrote: »

Just a query and asking for clarification, if you have more that 24 months working in CS - as a TCO and as CO, can you still go for it if you clarify on all other points. I am in my current role as a CO for 17 months and I have over 12 months as TCO - went from a TCO straight in to CO without a break.

Also, can any one please clarify the difference between level 6 and 7? I always thought that 6 was advanced diploma and 7 was first year of a degree?

Thank you.

gestappo · 26-07-2020 2:33pm

Clare122445 wrote: »

I wouldn't think so, the panel get called upon as and when the HR departments request people.

It would completely depend on when the vacancies become available

There was a 2% pay increase due in October, I would imagine there was a large amount of people holding out to have that increase their pension.

If that still goes ahead with covid either way I imagine big numbers going, and hopefully many vacancies

Not disputing all that info above BUT the DEASP are crying out for staff. They’ve recalled a lot of mobility transfers and used redeployment from other departments.

UpBack1234 · 26-07-2020 4:22pm

rsl1976 wrote: »

Does anyone know if the 2 years as a CO can be from previous service. I am just over 1 year at CO but was able to carry over local authority service for point on the salary scale.

Yes it can. I have asked PAS this question specifically in previous comps. Your service requirement only needs to be cumulative - so you can stitch together your time on previous public sector contracts, tco time included, whether or not there have been breaks between them etc.

EDIT: Just to note that you may need to EVIDENCE prior service, so if you don't already have them, obtain letters from previous dept. HR sections confirming your start and end dates.

doc22 · 26-07-2020 7:22pm

gestappo wrote: »

Not disputing all that info above BUT the DEASP are crying out for staff. They’ve recalled a lot of mobility transfers and used redeployment from other departments.

What do you mean by recalled mobility transfers? If you moved department a year ago they can call you back?

UpBack1234 wrote: »

Yes it can. I have asked PAS this question specifically in previous comps. Your service requirement only needs to be cumulative - so you can stitch together your time on previous public sector contracts, tco time included, whether or not there have been breaks between them etc.

EDIT: Just to note that you may need to EVIDENCE prior service, so if you don't already have them, obtain letters from previous dept. HR sections confirming your start and end dates.

Only time in civil service would count for promotion I'd have thought

gestappo · 26-07-2020 7:33pm

doc22 wrote: »

What do you mean by recalled mobility transfers? If you moved department a year ago they can call you back?

Over a year ago then no, anyone they could call back they have. I know a few COs who finally got out of DEASP on mobility transfer only to be told they have to go back (temporarily, but with no end date) and help out once the pandemic started. They’re ran off their feet so that’s why I’m guessing that’ll be the dept they fill first.

The last eo comp (2018 Dublin) they filled AGS first as they were the most desperate for staff.

gestappo · 26-07-2020 7:34pm

gestappo wrote: »

doc22 wrote: »

What do you mean by recalled mobility transfers? If you moved department a year ago they can call you back?

Over a year ago then no, anyone they could call back they have. I know a few COs who finally got out of DEASP on mobility transfer only to be told they have to go back (temporarily, but with no end date) and help out once the pandemic started. They’re ran off their feet so that’s why I’m guessing that’ll be the dept they fill first.

The last eo comp (2018 Dublin) they filled AGS first as they were the most desperate for staff.

nhg · 26-07-2020 10:12pm

When I went to upload my PDF I ended up having to compress it as the file was over 5mb... Even at that I couldn't fit in all that I wanted to put on it

job seeker · 27-07-2020 2:10am

Does anybody know if this camphne will be online stage and interview only similar to this years C.O.? I can only see stage 1 mentioned on the information booklet. Thanks.

November Golf · 27-07-2020 10:09am

job seeker wrote: »

Does anybody know if this camphne will be online stage and interview only similar to this years C.O.? I can only see stage 1 mentioned on the information booklet. Thanks.

It is possible however it not uncommon for them to focus on the "first stage" in the information booklet. They will issue a familarisation booklet to sucessful candidate for the next stage.

trafficlight · 27-07-2020 11:49am

Heya, does anyone have any advice in relation to the online Questionnaire - iv tried these so many times but never seem to score high enough to get anywhere

internet_user · 27-07-2020 1:02pm

Anyone else having problems with the website? I keep getting logged out when trying to access the forms!

furrybones · 27-07-2020 1:44pm

internet_user wrote: »

Anyone else having problems with the website? I keep getting logged out when trying to access the forms!

Problems with Boards or Public Jobs website?

Boards - I was getting a 503 error on and off all day yesterday.
Public Jobs - I haven't had any issues.

gestappo · 27-07-2020 1:53pm

furrybones wrote: »

Boards - I was getting a 503 error on and off all day yesterday.

I get that error every morning!

gestappo · 27-07-2020 1:54pm

internet_user wrote: »

Anyone else having problems with the website? I keep getting logged out when trying to access the forms!

I get that error if I'm accessing it from a mobile device.

internet_user · 27-07-2020 1:57pm

furrybones wrote: »

Problems with Boards or Public Jobs website?

Boards - I was getting a 503 error on and off all day yesterday.
Public Jobs - I haven't had any issues.

Public Jobs! After logging in and clicking apply in the EO tab, I’m immediately logged out again!

Gus Ivey · 27-07-2020 5:27pm

Brooks Incalculable Blackboard wrote: »

https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/information-hub/our-recruitment-process/test-advice

Sample tests here down the bottom if anyone wants to practice

Has anyone taken these sample tests yet? What scores did people get?

I scored 20/36 in numerical (Didn't get it finished)
I scored 39/59 in verbal

Both scores passed the minimum required score - But would they be high enough to have a good chance of landing an interview/job?

rsl1976 · 27-07-2020 5:57pm

I emailed PAS and they have come back to say I will need to contact DPER. Hopefully it's a yes

Also does anyone know do you move to the next point on the salary scale if your current point on the CO scale is higher.

job seeker · 27-07-2020 6:01pm

trafficlight wrote: »

Heya, does anyone have any advice in relation to the online Questionnaire - iv tried these so many times but never seem to score high enough to get anywhere

I'm the same! All you can do is practice the sample questions for EO and do your best. It can be very tough. The best of luck anyway..

furrybones · 27-07-2020 6:05pm

Gus Ivey wrote: »

Has anyone taken these sample tests yet? What scores did people get?

I scored 20/36 in numerical (Didn't get it finished)
I scored 39/59 in verbal

Both scores passed the minimum required score - But would they be high enough to have a good chance of landing an interview/job?

I'll give them a shot tonight. Nerves might play a part when it's the real deal though.

Dublintigger · 27-07-2020 6:19pm

UpBack1234 wrote: »

Yes it can. I have asked PAS this question specifically in previous comps. Your service requirement only needs to be cumulative - so you can stitch together your time on previous public sector contracts, tco time included, whether or not there have been breaks between them etc.

EDIT: Just to note that you may need to EVIDENCE prior service, so if you don't already have them, obtain letters from previous dept. HR sections confirming your start and end dates.

Excellent news.... thank you.

Historybluff · 27-07-2020 6:35pm

enfant terrible wrote: »

Should you put in your salary for each job in the applicaton?

Brooks Incalculable Blackboard wrote: »

no spot for it, i just gave job title and description of roles for it

There is a spot for the salary. On the PDF form, the 'Employment Record' part of Section A asks for 'Description of duties, salary, etc' in every job you've had.

splashuum · 27-07-2020 9:41pm

If one held a degree and stated so in the application, would they look for proof of this?

rsl1976 · 27-07-2020 9:53pm

splashuum wrote: »

If one held a degree and stated so in the application, would they look for proof of this?

Yes

Em2157 · 27-07-2020 9:59pm

Hey all, the next stage (questionnaire).... is this just the personality and situational judgement one? Or the tests (numerical etc)?

EireinOZ · 28-07-2020 7:36am

job seeker wrote: »

I'm the same! All you can do is practice the sample questions for EO and do your best. It can be very tough. The best of luck anyway..

Hey , where are the sample questions? TIA

MFPM · 28-07-2020 9:03am

EireinOZ wrote: »

Hey , where are the sample questions? TIA

PAS will send sample questions in advance of the 1st stage of online tests.

redmgar · 28-07-2020 10:29am

Hi, what are people putting in the supplemtary info section?
Are you using it as a form of cover letter as to why you would suit the position?

StevenToast · 28-07-2020 10:52am

I dont envy the Job of having to sift through all these applications.....

gestappo · 28-07-2020 10:57am

StevenToast wrote: »

I dont envy the Job of having to sift through all these applications.....

No one will be sifting through them, the personality and aptitude tests will automatically cut through half of all applications! The only time they’re really looked at is at interview stage!

Dublintigger · 28-07-2020 11:18am

gestappo wrote: »

No one will be sifting through them, the personality and aptitude tests will automatically cut through half of all applications! The only time they’re really looked at is at interview stage!

Oh wow - didnt realise that....

Radio5 · 28-07-2020 11:31am

Is the procedure if you're called for interview the same as the TCO, in that they state that they will contact your referees prior to interview?

MFPM · 28-07-2020 11:48am

Radio5 wrote: »

Is the procedure if you're called for interview the same as the TCO, in that they state that they will contact your referees prior to interview?

Unless it has changed since the last competition, references are consulted if and when you're offered a position.

gestappo · 28-07-2020 11:49am

MFPM wrote: »

Unless it has changed since the last competition, references are consulted if and when you're offered a position.

This !

An Ri rua · 28-07-2020 1:11pm

gestappo wrote: »

No one will be sifting through them, the personality and aptitude tests will automatically cut through half of all applications! The only time they’re really looked at is at interview stage!

Unless that's explicit in the Info Booklet, then that MAY NOT be correct. In AO and AP General Competitions, and in Revenue specialist EO and AO conpetitions, forms have been used to shortlist.
It all depends on the terms of the competition. The phrase 'may be used' or something along those lines may be in there.
With Covid19 and social distancing, the form becomes even more important.

furrybones · 28-07-2020 2:01pm

EireinOZ wrote: »

Hey , where are the sample questions? TIA

Self assessment tests at the bottom of this page.
https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/information-hub/our-recruitment-process/test-advice

Eod100 · 28-07-2020 2:46pm

Sorry if this was asked already, as anyone had issues accessing the PDF application form? Think I've had this issue before but forget how to sort it! Might just be a browser issue as I'm accessing via Google Chrome

MFPM · 28-07-2020 2:47pm

An Ri rua wrote: »

Unless that's explicit in the Info Booklet, then that may not be correct. In AO and AP General Competitions, and in Revenue specialist EO and AO conpetitions, forms have been used to shortlist.
It all depends on the terms of the competition. The phrase 'may be used' or something along those lines may be in there.
With Covid19 and social distancing, the form becomes even more important.

If it's a specialist position then the form is taken into account for obvious reasons but for the general EO positions the form is only used when calling people for interview.

Augme · 28-07-2020 3:23pm

The form is never used to mark/grade or assess candidates and it never has been at the previous large scale general Executive officer campaigns. It is simply used as an aid for the interviews to ask you questions.

Don't spend a huge amount of time on it because you are just wasting your own time unnecessarily. Fill it in but just put 4-5 bullet points about what your role involved and your main duties. No interviewer every wants to read a massive paragraph of text, especially when they are interview 6-7 candidates per day to a short time frame.

Gus Ivey · 28-07-2020 3:27pm

Eod100 wrote: »

Sorry if this was asked already, as anyone had issues accessing the PDF application form? Think I've had this issue before but forget how to sort it! Might just be a browser issue as I'm accessing via Google Chrome

It needs to be opened with Adobe

If you go to download folder on your desktop and 'open with' Adobe it should work for you

Eod100 · 28-07-2020 4:28pm

Gus Ivey wrote: »

It needs to be opened with Adobe

If you go to download folder on your desktop and 'open with' Adobe it should work for you

Thanks, just tried Firefox and worked with that!

Gus Ivey · 28-07-2020 4:56pm

Is there anything you could add onto your CV specifically for the Executive Officer role that may increase your chances of landing a job?

Actually, do you even send in a CV at any stage? Considering most of the info is on the application form maybe they don't accept CVs?

UpBack1234 · 28-07-2020 5:13pm

Gus Ivey wrote: »

Is there anything you could add onto your CV specifically for the Executive Officer role that may increase your chances of landing a job?

Actually, do you even send in a CV at any stage? Considering most of the info is on the application form maybe they don't accept CVs?

No cv. The application form you fill out will act as your 'CV' as it asks you to list work experiences/education etc.

Re increasing your chances - it's based on the EO competency framework (which is attached as an appendix to the information booklet for this comp) - so it's all about aligning your own particular work, education or personal experiences to those competencies, the more you can demonstrate those, the better your chances of getting on the panel.

StevenToast · 28-07-2020 5:30pm

I feel sorry for all those people sitting on all these various panels without any prospect of securing a position....

Another competition just rolls around and they have to go through the ringer all over again.

I suppose its keeping HR busy...'justifying jobs and budgets' like michael douglas said in "Falling Down"....

2020 Executive Officer Civil Service

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