2020 Executive Officer Civil Service

Gus Ivey · 28-07-2020 5:35pm

StevenToast wrote: »

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"....

I've been on a panel for a different role the past 6 months. I've was placed at number 3, and I am still number 3!
Although it is for a more specific role, and the staff turnover would not be anywhere near as much as EO or CO competitions.

Green farmer · 28-07-2020 5:50pm

UpBack1234 wrote: »

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.

From previous campaigns, What way has it worked in the past, if the next stage turns out to be the online tests, do they just decide what batch you go into, with your interview deciding where within that batch you finish up ?

An Ri rua · 28-07-2020 6:02pm

MFPM wrote: »

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.

No, not just specialist. General grade AP 2018 also used the form to shortlist. I haven't studied the EO form. I'm saying it's not a given unless it's explicitly ruled in/out in the Info Booklet. I did say may not. Happy that you've clarified but buyer beware.

gestappo · 28-07-2020 6:08pm

Green farmer wrote: »

From previous campaigns, What way has it worked in the past, if the next stage turns out to be the online tests, do they just decide what batch you go into, with your interview deciding where within that batch you finish up ?

It's based on your score after each stage - your score will place you on the Order of Merit (OOM). You're aiming for the highest score and the lowest OOM for each stage.

The next stage is the Personality test, it'll be multiple choice questions.

After the 2nd stage aptitude tests (I've no idea how these will take place this year) you'll be placed into batches (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 etc)

Green farmer · 28-07-2020 6:53pm

gestappo wrote: »

The next stage is the Personality test, it'll be multiple choice questions.

After the 2nd stage aptitude tests (I've no idea how these will take place this year) you'll be placed into batches (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 etc)

Is that the numerical, verbal and job simulations tests ? Or something else

gestappo · 28-07-2020 7:16pm

Green farmer wrote: »

Is that the numerical, verbal and job simulations tests ? Or something else

1st stage is personality test - how you react to in certain situations etc
2nd stage is aptitude tests - which comprises of verbal, numerical & e-tray
3rd stage is interview

Now this could all change this year but that’s the way they’ve been holding them in the past few years.

hillbloom · 28-07-2020 11:36pm

I am referring to what Augme said about filling in the form.(No.196) Its states on the Application Form "the information you supply in this section will play a central part of the short-list process". It would be very handy to use a few bullet points & making it short but is that good enough.

Also it mentions in the heading in Employment Section Duties, Salary etc but there isn't a specific space for salary. Does one need to put in their salary for all their jobs? Where can certificates for various courses be included. (manual handling/safe pass). Would it be on the academic section or the supplementary section. Sorry for all the questions.

job seeker · 29-07-2020 4:20am

EireinOZ wrote: »

Hey , where are the sample questions? TIA

Sorry missed your post.

This is what I was referring too. It will give you a general idea of the questions.

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

As another poster stated PAS will provide sample questions in the form of familiarization material closer too the time..

job seeker · 29-07-2020 4:26am

gestappo wrote: »

1st stage is personality test - how you react to in certain situations etc
2nd stage is aptitude tests - which comprises of verbal, numerical & e-tray
3rd stage is interview

Now this could all change this year but that’s the way they’ve been holding them in the past few years.

I read in the 2018 EO thread that there was a stage up in the public jobs office for supervised tests. Couldn’t tell if it was stage 2 or if it was part of stage 1. Anyway, I can’t see this being possible this year due to covid and social distancing. The desks in them supervised tests are very close together.. Just speculating..

Edit: unless small batches were brought in each time supervised tests which would make sense. That would really slow things down a lot though.

gestappo · 29-07-2020 7:39am

job seeker wrote: »

I read in the 2018 EO thread that there was a stage up in the public jobs office for supervised tests. Couldn’t tell if it was stage 2 or if it was part of stage 1. Anyway, I can’t see this being possible this year due to covid and social distancing. The desks in them supervised tests are very close together.. Just speculating..

Edit: unless small batches were brought in each time supervised tests which would make sense. That would really slow things down a lot though.

That’s stage 2. Stage 1 will be done from home and is multiple choice questions.

Years ago stage 2 was done online but the potential to cheat is huge so they change it to supervised testing. They can easily make those desks 2m apart but it would take twice the time for everyone to get tested. Who knows what way it’ll be done now seeing as the interviews are by VC.

gestappo · 29-07-2020 7:41am

hillbloom wrote: »

I am referring to what Augme said about filling in the form.(No.196) Its states on the Application Form "the information you supply in this section will play a central part of the short-list process". It would be very handy to use a few bullet points & making it short but is that good enough.

Also it mentions in the heading in Employment Section Duties, Salary etc but there isn't a specific space for salary. Does one need to put in their salary for all their jobs? Where can certificates for various courses be included. (manual handling/safe pass). Would it be on the academic section or the supplementary section. Sorry for all the questions.

I put my salary at the end of each job description.

As for academic qualifications put them in where you put your leaving cert results and any college courses you’ve done.

Furious-Red · 29-07-2020 11:39am

gestappo wrote: »

That’s stage 2. Stage 1 will be done from home and is multiple choice questions.

Years ago stage 2 was done online but the potential to cheat is huge so they change it to supervised testing. They can easily make those desks 2m apart but it would take twice the time for everyone to get tested. Who knows what way it’ll be done now seeing as the interviews are by VC.

They could hire a big hall and have everyone done in one go

Cindy20201 · 29-07-2020 1:16pm

Is it possible to apply for this and the Clerical Officer position?

gestappo · 29-07-2020 1:23pm

Cindy20201 wrote: »

Is it possible to apply for this and the Clerical Officer position?

100%!

furrybones · 29-07-2020 1:36pm

Cindy20201 wrote: »

Is it possible to apply for this and the Clerical Officer position?

Absolutely, you can. Assuming you've already applied to the clerical officer campaign as the closing date for that has passed.

Gus Ivey · 29-07-2020 2:19pm

What are people writing for the supplementary section?

A few bullet points about key skills and examples from previous roles?

MFPM · 29-07-2020 3:32pm

Gus Ivey wrote: »

What are people writing for the supplementary section?

A few bullet points about key skills and examples from previous roles?

I wouldn't stress too much about that section, just put down a few bullet points that highlight some achievements and highlight some skills you have that reflect the competencies. It can be brief.

Remember, your performance in the online and supervised tests and then etray will dictate your OOM and if you get an interview that's where the form comes into play - they go through your work history and ask you to illustrate competencies from that.

Jay328 · 29-07-2020 9:39pm

job seeker wrote: »

I read in the 2018 EO thread that there was a stage up in the public jobs office for supervised tests. Couldn’t tell if it was stage 2 or if it was part of stage 1. Anyway, I can’t see this being possible this year due to covid and social distancing. The desks in them supervised tests are very close together.. Just speculating..

Edit: unless small batches were brought in each time supervised tests which would make sense. That would really slow things down a lot though.

I know for the PO competition last year they did the supervised tests online where someone watches you through a web cam.

But the numbers for a PO competition would be a lot smaller compared to an EO.

But technically one person could watch a number of people.

username insert here · 30-07-2020 1:29pm

Hi,

There are two options when applying for this competition.

Interdepartmental & Open, what is the difference between the two, in particular regarding the tests? Are they the same tests or is the interdepartmental just an interview?

Also, I am right in saying that you don't need the leaving certificate if applying through the interdepartmental?

Thanks in advance

Samuel T. Cogley · 30-07-2020 1:46pm

username insert here wrote: »

Hi,

There are two options when applying for this competition.

Interdepartmental & Open, what is the difference between the two, in particular regarding the tests? Are they the same tests or is the interdepartmental just an interview?

Also, I am right in saying that you don't need the leaving certificate if applying through the interdepartmental?

Thanks in advance

Same process AFAIK but this is an open competition, it's a standard form.

meepp · 30-07-2020 1:50pm

Had a few stabs at the sample tests.

Numerical and Verbal Reasoning, i did fine.

Job Simulation.... I did poorly. It's as though i can't get my head around the chain of command.

Can anyone offer some general advice?

Thanks

gestappo · 30-07-2020 1:55pm

username insert here wrote: »

Hi,

There are two options when applying for this competition.

Interdepartmental & Open, what is the difference between the two, in particular regarding the tests? Are they the same tests or is the interdepartmental just an interview?

Also, I am right in saying that you don't need the leaving certificate if applying through the interdepartmental?

Thanks in advance

Interdepartmental is for serving civil servants who have done at least years.

Open if for everyone else.

The whole process is the very same, you tick whichever option applies to you or even pick both and then you'll just be placed into a particular stream either InterD or Open.

To be a serving civil servant you need to have specific educational qualifications either your Leaving of Level 6

Samuel T. Cogley · 30-07-2020 1:56pm

meepp wrote: »

Had a few stabs at the sample tests.

Numerical and Verbal Reasoning, i did fine.

Job Simulation.... I did poorly. It's as though i can't get my head around the chain of command.

Can anyone offer some general advice?

Thanks

Know when to pass things up the chain is my only tip. EO is considered a trainee / junior management role.

What specifically is the issue with the chain of command you're having?

Dublintigger · 30-07-2020 4:16pm

hillbloom wrote: »

I am referring to what Augme said about filling in the form.(No.196) Its states on the Application Form "the information you supply in this section will play a central part of the short-list process". It would be very handy to use a few bullet points & making it short but is that good enough.

Also it mentions in the heading in Employment Section Duties, Salary etc but there isn't a specific space for salary. Does one need to put in their salary for all their jobs? Where can certificates for various courses be included. (manual handling/safe pass). Would it be on the academic section or the supplementary section. Sorry for all the questions.

You give the details of previous salary at the end of the job description.

Gus Ivey · 30-07-2020 4:18pm

Anyone any idea on rough numbers of applicants versus number of jobs on offer??

The panel usually stays open for a couple of years? What number on the order of merit would you ideally be aiming for in Dublin?

rusty1983 · 30-07-2020 6:52pm

Gus Ivey wrote: »

Anyone any idea on rough numbers of applicants versus number of jobs on offer??

The panel usually stays open for a couple of years? What number on the order of merit would you ideally be aiming for in Dublin?

Depends on PAS, the 2016 panels continued for a long time, but the 2019 Executive Officer competition was only advertised in January 2019 so now less than 18 months a new competition is commencing

Samuel T. Cogley · 30-07-2020 6:53pm

Gus Ivey wrote: »

Anyone any idea on rough numbers of applicants versus number of jobs on offer??

The panel usually stays open for a couple of years? What number on the order of merit would you ideally be aiming for in Dublin?

People in the high 2000s at least go appointed on the last round. That's not to say they appointed that many, the attrition rate is huge. It's been suggested its as high as 50% at each stage. Just to set expectations though it was a bumper time for retirements apparently.

I can see certain departments cramming people in though ahead of a possible recruitment ban but that's pure speculation.

Panels are usually 2 years. The 2019 one for outside Dublin was a bit of an anomaly I think.

myNewName · 30-07-2020 9:29pm

Anyone know what percentage of people actually take the role they’re offered? Such a long process, including references and Garda vetting before you find out where you will be placed. I went that far in the 2018 competition but got a location that really didn’t suit so had to turn it down. Very frustrating!

chickenskewer · 31-07-2020 2:09pm

Hi,

I looked online and Kilroys college offer a educational pack for the EO is this worth purchasing, specifically for the aptitude tests?

Gus Ivey · 31-07-2020 2:43pm

chickenskewer wrote: »

Hi,

I looked online and Kilroys college offer a educational pack for the EO is this worth purchasing, specifically for the aptitude tests?

I don't know about that course or if it's beneficial, maybe someone else can shine some light on that?

There are practice tests for the EO on the link below.. Scroll down to the bottom of the page

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

Dublintigger · 31-07-2020 6:21pm

chickenskewer wrote: »

Hi,

I looked online and Kilroys college offer a educational pack for the EO is this worth purchasing, specifically for the aptitude tests?

Have you had a look at the course? What did you think?

srussell91 · 31-07-2020 10:59pm

So, Im just wondering how difficult it is to become an EO, how well do you need to do on the aptitude tests? etc.

For example on the numerical tests it says that 8/36 is a pass, Im pretty sure I can do much better than this, but is that enough?

I have a level 7 and some office experience as well, not sure how well this experience will translate however.

Basically, Im asking how competitive is it?

myNewName · 31-07-2020 11:29pm

srussell91 wrote: »

So, Im just wondering how difficult it is to become an EO, how well do you need to do on the aptitude tests? etc.

For example on the numerical tests it says that 8/36 is a pass, Im pretty sure I can do much better than this, but is that enough?

I have a level 7 and some office experience as well, not sure how well this experience will translate however.

Basically, Im asking how competitive is it?

Once you can do the practice ones they provide, the real tests are quite straightforward. I think a lot of people drop out along the way as it’s such a long process.

Augme · 01-08-2020 12:26am

srussell91 wrote: »

So, Im just wondering how difficult it is to become an EO, how well do you need to do on the aptitude tests? etc.

For example on the numerical tests it says that 8/36 is a pass, Im pretty sure I can do much better than this, but is that enough?

I have a level 7 and some office experience as well, not sure how well this experience will translate however.

Basically, Im asking how competitive is it?

The numerical test doesn't count towards your score for deciding the order of merit so don't worry about the numerical. Once you can pass it that is all that matters and it is quite easy to pass.

There's going to be a huge amount of applications this year so expect it to be very competitive in terms of score that you would need to achieve to finish high up.

hillbloom · 01-08-2020 9:47am

Re the location choice! The information doesn't explain is it in ORDER OF CHOICE. Or is it in which location the vacancies come up.

November Golf · 01-08-2020 10:44am

hillbloom wrote: »

Re the location choice! The information doesn't explain is it in ORDER OF CHOICE. Or is it in which location the vacancies come up.

Theres no perferences . You can select two locations that your willing to accept an offer but if you get a invited to interview for one location and accept, you will be removed from the other location.

McSween · 01-08-2020 12:01pm

Mike Foxtrot wrote: »

Theres no perferences . You can select two locations that your willing to accept an offer but if you get a invited to interview for one location and accept, you will be removed from the other location.

I only chose one location. I put a ‘1’ in the box. It went through ok, I hope i didnt have to choose a second as I Think I had to before on CO competitions.

MFPM · 01-08-2020 2:34pm

McSween wrote: »

I only chose one location. I put a ‘1’ in the box. It went through ok, I hope i didnt have to choose a second as I Think I had to before on CO competitions.

You don't have to choose two but you can do. You've still time to alter the form if if you want to add a second choice.

Samuel T. Cogley · 01-08-2020 4:26pm

srussell91 wrote: »

So, Im just wondering how difficult it is to become an EO, how well do you need to do on the aptitude tests? etc.

For example on the numerical tests it says that 8/36 is a pass, Im pretty sure I can do much better than this, but is that enough?

I have a level 7 and some office experience as well, not sure how well this experience will translate however.

Basically, Im asking how competitive is it?

This reminds me I do have another tip.

There are 36 questions but maybe 10 different pieces of data you're asked to look at. So for example question 1 will be on a bar graph, the numbers of people in different departments say. Question 7 will be the same bar graph with a different question, so cherry pick your questions. Some of the numerical stuff if bloody difficult. As above though it's a simple pass/fail it doesn't go towards your Order of Merit (OOM).

Also give yourself maybe 45 seconds at the end of the test to Answer C to any remaining questions you didn't get time to do. I'd say most people run out of time on the Numerical test - obviously there's always the odd maths freak :pac:

hillbloom · 01-08-2020 5:11pm

What length of time is allowed for the test. Could ye tell me where to find those test questions.

Ek1313 · 01-08-2020 5:58pm

I am just wondering why they advertising this campaign so much- are they expecting a lot of vacancies??

job seeker · 01-08-2020 6:02pm

hillbloom wrote: »

What length of time is allowed for the test. Could ye tell me where to find those test questions.

I could be wrong. From memory I think it’s about 25 minutes for 30 questions. But I’m opening to correction on that..

job seeker · 01-08-2020 6:03pm

Ek1313 wrote: »

I am just wondering why they advertising this campaign so much- are they expecting a lot of vacancies??

I would assume that there will be a large enough amount of applicants due to the high numbers of people out of work due to covid..

silent_spark · 01-08-2020 7:49pm

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 just gave it a go. I found the numerical one tough enough in the time given, so I'll practice that again.

25/36 in numerical (I timed out after 27 questions) Typical pass is 8
52/59 in verbal (had time left) Typical pass is 29
'Upper Band' in job simulation (had time left)

furrybones · 01-08-2020 8:15pm

silent_spark wrote: »

I just gave it a go. I found the numerical one tough enough in the time given, so I'll practice that again.

25/36 in numerical (I timed out after 27 questions) Typical pass is 8
52/59 in verbal (had time left) Typical pass is 29
'Upper Band' in job simulation (had time left)

They're fantastic scores!

enfant terrible · 01-08-2020 8:56pm

Is everyone putting down their current salary?

My current salary is much higher than the starting off EO salary and i'm worried it will put them off interviewing me if I make it that far.

gestappo · 01-08-2020 9:16pm

enfant terrible wrote: »

Is everyone putting down their current salary?

My current salary is much higher than the starting off EO salary and i'm worried it will put them off interviewing me if I make it that far.

It’s not like the private sector in that regard. It’s all based on competency. If you pass all the tests and interview then you’ll be awarded the position no matter what salary you were previously on.

enfant terrible · 01-08-2020 9:25pm

gestappo wrote: »

It’s not like the private sector in that regard. It’s all based on competency. If you pass all the tests and interview then you’ll be awarded the position no matter what salary you were previously on.

Thanks for reply, any idea why they ask for salary on application form then?

Wondering when they see in an interview your on a much higher salary, would that put a question in their mind why you applying or show them you really want the job and would take a pay cut.

delishdoughnut · 01-08-2020 9:30pm

Can I ask did you give your leaving cert results in the qualifications area or just your college qualifications?

Also what did you put in supplementary info. section?

Thanks

enfant terrible · 01-08-2020 9:36pm

delishdoughnut wrote: »

Can I ask did you give your leaving cert results in the qualifications area or just your college qualifications?

Also what did you put in supplementary info. section?

Thanks

I put in leaving results and in SI I just put in few lines of why I think I could do the job.

2020 Executive Officer Civil Service

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