NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

PhoenixParker · 19-11-2020 10:50pm

TaurenDruid wrote: »

This won't be any comfort, but welcome to Public Appointments Service "meaningful feedback". You might eventually get something along the lines of "Candidate did not demonstrate that they met the requirements of Competency X." My particular favourite in a past competition, where I requested feedback on the e-tray was "Your score is your feedback."

Hugely frustrating, as you say.

That wasn't my experience. I asked for and got the notes from my AP interview in the last comp. The notes were detailed. I could see every question and bullet points of my answers. It was very helpful in prepping for interviews I've had since. It didn't spell out where I'd gone wrong but I could work out huge amounts for myself.

I've heard of others who've gotten notes as you describe. Not sure if I got lucky with my note taker or there's been an improved policy.

TaurenDruid · 19-11-2020 11:15pm

PhoenixParker wrote: »

That wasn't my experience. I asked for and got the notes from my AP interview in the last comp. The notes were detailed. I could see every question and bullet points of my answers. It was very helpful in prepping for interviews I've had since. It didn't spell out where I'd gone wrong but I could work out huge amounts for myself.

I've heard of others who've gotten notes as you describe. Not sure if I got lucky with my note taker or there's been an improved policy.

Hopefully it's for everyone - if they have improved, then that's great.

Mervyn Skidmore · 19-11-2020 11:27pm

Done the etray this evening. I'll be interested to see how I score. I replied to most of the queries but in a very basic fashion. I kind of decided to do that from the outset just to see.

Irishder · 20-11-2020 12:39am

Just finished the etray myself, hard going. Found it tough enough answered all except 1. Hard to know if I do e good or bad. Went into a bit of detail for one question and the rest basically just delegated. Hopefully won't be waiting too long for results

Nicole2020 · 20-11-2020 12:45am

FlexBrowne wrote: »

I felt confident before and during but a few glaring errors are popping up in my head. I honesty think I skimmed too much, assigned and delegated too much. How much did anyone else delve into attachments and start crunching numbers etc. Felt I glanced over all rather than in depth sorting. I dunno ðŸ˜•

I feel I spent far too much time stressing about reading the attachments and trying to see if I could make any suggestions / analysis until I realised I had no time to do that. I wish now I had just skimmed and focused on answering.

I think I left one half done and another not answered. And I know I didn’t update the calendars properly for all meetings to reflect my email confirmations.

I do think it’s very hard to know what any of this will mean, hoping for the best!

Treetirty · 20-11-2020 1:14am

Irishder wrote: »

Just finished the etray myself, hard going. Found it tough enough answered all except 1. Hard to know if I do e good or bad. Went into a bit of detail for one question and the rest basically just delegated. Hopefully won't be waiting too long for results

Nicole2020 wrote: »

I feel I spent far too much time stressing about reading the attachments and trying to see if I could make any suggestions / analysis until I realised I had no time to do that. I wish now I had just skimmed and focused on answering.

I think I left one half done and another not answered. And I know I didn’t update the calendars properly for all meetings to reflect my email confirmations.

I do think it’s very hard to know what any of this will mean, hoping for the best!

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you both. Really felt the time constraints but managed to at least respond to all but 1 or 2. There's one I know I didn't answer, and there's one I think I might have, but early on I saved a couple of emails as drafts before I sent them to ensure I wasn't sending contradictory information, and I honestly can't remember if ever hit send for one in particular.

In terms of analysis of documents, I just said that I needed more time before any major decision was made and that I would need to consult with the teams reporting to me and see what could be improved, I'm hoping that's what they were looking for in terms of analysis because if it's not I'm pretty fecked.

But with the e-tray it is nearly impossible to know how you've done so now it's just a waiting game and praying we hear as soon as possible!

Nicole2020 · 20-11-2020 1:38am

Treetirty wrote: »

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you both. Really felt the time constraints but managed to at least respond to all but 1 or 2. There's one I know I didn't answer, and there's one I think I might have, but early on I saved a couple of emails as drafts before I sent them to ensure I wasn't sending contradictory information, and I honestly can't remember if ever hit send for one in particular.

In terms of analysis of documents, I just said that I needed more time before any major decision was made and that I would need to consult with the teams reporting to me and see what could be improved, I'm hoping that's what they were looking for in terms of analysis because if it's not I'm pretty fecked.

But with the e-tray it is nearly impossible to know how you've done so now it's just a waiting game and praying we hear as soon as possible!

The draft thing was very clever, wish I had of thought of that in the moment!

Nicole2020 · 20-11-2020 1:57am

For anyone interested... I read back through the thread and the first batch did the etray on the 4th of Sept and got their results on the 22nd. The second batch did theirs on the 22nd of Oct and recieved results on the 2nd of Nov. Hopefully ours will move just as quickly! I know I shouldn’t be tormenting myself and just forget about it for a while but easier said than done ðŸ˜‚

Pdbtsi · 20-11-2020 9:06am

Just finished e-tray myself. As others have said, very hard to know how it went! Worried I delegated a bit too much.

My first thought was 'wow, what a super dysfunctional organisation. Hope not reflective of the real thing!'. Seems a relief to go back to my regular job now!

Northern Sound · 20-11-2020 9:38am

Did ETray yesterday, tough going, does anyone know do you get a score for ETray or is it just pass or fail ?

billyhead · 20-11-2020 10:06am

Sarahlaois wrote: »

Dublin and Regional are being dealt with separately. You might need to identify which one you are on so that you'll get a relevant answer

Hi Sarahlaois.

I applied for the Dublin stream at both Interdepartmental and Open. Have they just called those with a score of 126 or higher?

Sarahlaois · 20-11-2020 10:27am

billyhead wrote: »

Hi Sarahlaois.

I applied for the Dublin stream at both Interdepartmental and Open. Have they just called those with a score of 126 or higher?

Hi Billy, can't help with your query as I'm regional, where they have just called first batch .....those with a score of 126 or more at first stage. Some of the Dublin candidates will be able to update you re same

Nicole2020 · 20-11-2020 10:43am

Northern Sound wrote: »

Did ETray yesterday, tough going, does anyone know do you get a score for ETray or is it just pass or fail ?

Think each competency is scored out of 5 and 3 is the passing mark.

MrsBean · 20-11-2020 10:43am

Hey Billy, first Dublin batch was those of a score of 126 or higher, I think batch 2 was those with a score of 120-125. No idea about batch 3. To be honest, you won't get an exact answer out of random people on a thread, so you might be best off emailing PAS and ask them up to what OOM for Dublin they have called to the next stage? It's just guesswork from us here really.

Nicole2020 · 20-11-2020 10:44am

billyhead wrote: »

Hi Sarahlaois.

I applied for the Dublin stream at both Interdepartmental and Open. Have they just called those with a score of 126 or higher?

The first batch was 126 and higher, I’m not sure what the score was for the second, I got 124 and was called.

HannahR31 · 20-11-2020 4:22pm

Has anyone from Batch 1 started yet? I'm starting Monday.

Andre2020 · 20-11-2020 5:17pm

To those who have already done the interview, any tips for this new 'rapid fire' format? My interview is next week. I have never done a fully structured competency interview before so I don't really have anything to judge it against, but any help most welcome!

Do they ask any general questions, like 'what do you think are the greatest challenges for the CS right now'?

Ravelleman · 20-11-2020 8:01pm

Andre2020 wrote: »

Do they ask any general questions, like 'what do you think are the greatest challenges for the CS right now'?

They have been known to do so, for sure.

Pick a Civil Service strategy of recent vintage at random and this will give you some insight into what is going on and why.

Awkwardstroke · 23-11-2020 2:40pm

A common theme is "doing more, with less".

Sprites · 24-11-2020 5:39pm

Could anyone tell me what the required score in the Stage 1 tests for regional candidates was to be called forward to Stage 2 Video Interview

Sarahlaois · 24-11-2020 9:15pm

A score of 126 or above was required for moving to stage 2 in regionals

Bulus7 · 25-11-2020 11:20am

Sarahlaois wrote: »

A score of 126 or above was required for moving to stage 2 in regionals

I scored 125 and was called for the regional batch.

Sprites · 25-11-2020 11:40am

Bulus7 wrote: »

I scored 125 and was called for the regional batch.

Thanks Bulus, I may just contact PAS and ask them what the cut off point was if it wasn't communicated on the invites to Stage 2.

Sprites · 25-11-2020 8:35pm

PAS confirmed the cut off score for regional candidates from stage 1 was 120 in case anyone else was wondering.

Bulus7 · 26-11-2020 10:05am

Sprites wrote: »

PAS confirmed the cut off score for regional candidates from stage 1 was 120 in case anyone else was wondering.

Interesting.

Thanks for following up.

Tedda2016 · 26-11-2020 2:25pm

Sprites wrote: »

PAS confirmed the cut off score for regional candidates from stage 1 was 120 in case anyone else was wondering.

Does any know what the OOM was if you received a score of 120? Or timeline if/ when another batch will be called?

Ravelleman · 27-11-2020 10:02am

For those already on the panel, how rapid was the turnaround between interview and result? I believe the last day of 2.1 Dublin interviews is today.

MrsBean · 27-11-2020 10:08am

I would imagine you will get results early next week.
Got them on the Tuesday after Bank Hol Mon last time. Interviews finished on 23rd and got results on 27th.

Curious how people found the interviews this week? Best of luck to you all!

Ravelleman · 27-11-2020 11:05am

MrsBean wrote: »

I would imagine you will get results early next week.
Got them on the Tuesday after Bank Hol Mon last time. Interviews finished on 23rd and got results on 27th.

Curious how people found the interviews this week? Best of luck to you all!

There was me hoping it would be late this afternoon, if they had things lined up.

I will reserve judgement until I know the result!

Beechwoodspark · 27-11-2020 7:13pm

Does anyone know What happens if someone declines a role? Do you get offered a diff role in another dept

gmisk · 27-11-2020 7:16pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Does anyone know What happens if someone declines a role?

When I was offered AP from panel I was seriously considering turning it down (heard bad things about department) so talked to PAS they didn't seem too keen but think they would have let me pass on it, if I could we insistent, and go back onto list.

I didn't in the end after talking to department I took job.

MrsBean · 27-11-2020 7:43pm

It depends - if you are on both the interdepartmental panel and the open panel you could potentially turn down your first offer and hope they reach your place on the other panel.

If you are only on one panel I don't think you get a second offer without good reason for turning down the department. But I agree with the above poster, if you engage with PAS and let them know your concerns they might be able to clarify or put you in touch with the department so you can find out more about the role.

gmisk · 27-11-2020 7:54pm

MrsBean wrote: »

It depends - if you are on both the interdepartmental panel and the open panel you could potentially turn down your first offer and hope they reach your place on the other panel.

If you are only on one panel I don't think you get a second offer without good reason for turning down the department. But I agree with the above poster, if you engage with PAS and let them know your concerns they might be able to clarify or put you in touch with the department so you can find out more about the role.

I was actually in that position (about a year and half ago).
On both ICT specialist panel and open one.

I wanted ICT role but really wasn't sure about department, PAS were very helpful, gave me time to talk to department etc

Ravelleman · 30-11-2020 6:00pm

Results from the second batch of Zoom interviews are out.

I made the panel.

This was my third attempt between open and internal competitions. There is hope.

Sarahlaois · 30-11-2020 6:38pm

Ravelleman wrote: »

Results from the second batch of Zoom interviews are out.

I made the panel.

This was my third attempt between open and internal competitions. There is hope.

Great news - well done. Hopefully you'll get placed soon

Irishder · 30-11-2020 9:20pm

Ravelleman wrote: »

Results from the second batch of Zoom interviews are out.

I made the panel.

This was my third attempt between open and internal competitions. There is hope.

Congratulations, I'm still awaiting results from the video interview

big big loader · 01-12-2020 12:19pm

Regional Etray results are out. I made it through, skin of my teeth job - got the qualifying score of 3 across the competencies.

They are only calling forward for Dublin, Kildare and Wexford for the time being - which I presume the only difference from the Dublin side of the comp being anyone that selected Wexford will be called for an interview.

Strange. Wonder when other locations will open up

Nicole2020 · 01-12-2020 12:21pm

Did anyone else get their etray results? I’m a little confused as it says I won’t be progressing as I didn’t reach the qualifying standard. But then below it says the following:

In order to reach the qualifying standard you were required to reach a score of 3 in each competency. The maximum score in each competency is 5.

Your score in each competency is as follows:

Leadership
Your Score: 3

Analysis & Decision Making
Your Score: 3

Management & Delivery of Results
Your Score: 3

Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Your Score: 3

Drive and Commitment
Your Score: 3

MrsBean · 01-12-2020 12:31pm

I would query that with PAS if I were you as it looks like an error on their part.

Nicole2020 · 01-12-2020 12:32pm

MrsBean wrote: »

I would query that with PAS if I were you as it looks like an error on their part.

Thanks, I’m going to email now! Fingers crossed!

MrsBean · 01-12-2020 12:35pm

Sometimes people will reach the qualifying mark but not be brought through to next round. It's just your email doesn't make it very clear what the situation is. Best of luck to you anyway!

Irishder · 01-12-2020 12:39pm

Looks like i Meet the qualifying standard:

Leadership
Your Score: 4

Analysis & Decision Making
Your Score: 3

Management & Delivery of Results
Your Score: 4

Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Your Score: 4

Drive and Commitment
Your Score: 4

But they are only calling forward Dublin, Kildare and Wexford. I am in Waterford, does that mean we are now on a waiting list for Waterford or there is no requirement in Waterford at the moment?

Treetirty · 01-12-2020 12:44pm

Nicole2020 wrote: »

Did anyone else get their etray results? I’m a little confused as it says I won’t be progressing as I didn’t reach the qualifying standard. But then below it says the following:

In order to reach the qualifying standard you were required to reach a score of 3 in each competency. The maximum score in each competency is 5.

Your score in each competency is as follows:

Leadership
Your Score: 3

Analysis & Decision Making
Your Score: 3

Management & Delivery of Results
Your Score: 3

Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Your Score: 3

Drive and Commitment
Your Score: 3

Definitely contact them, as my understanding was the same as yours - if you reach the qualifying standard you get through to the next round.

As I got my results as well and got 4s in all apart from a 3 in Analysis & Decision Making and they've informed me that I've "reached the qualifying standard".

Nicole2020 · 01-12-2020 12:52pm

MrsBean wrote: »

Sometimes people will reach the qualifying mark but not be brought through to next round. It's just your email doesn't make it very clear what the situation is. Best of luck to you anyway!

Thank you! Agreed, it does seem by reading the email that they’re saying you had to get 3 or above to move forward. And I know someone else posted just before me saying they’d gotten all 3’s and been progressed! Fingers crossed it’s a typo

Nicole2020 · 01-12-2020 12:53pm

Treetirty wrote: »

Definitely contact them, as my understanding was the same as yours - if you reach the qualifying standard you get through to the next round.

As I got my results as well and got 4s in all apart from a 3 in Analysis & Decision Making and they've informed me that I've "reached the qualifying standard".

Hopefully I’ll hear back soon and well done to you!

FlexBrowne · 01-12-2020 1:49pm

Irishder wrote: »

Looks like i Meet the qualifying standard:

Leadership
Your Score: 4

Analysis & Decision Making
Your Score: 3

Management & Delivery of Results
Your Score: 4

Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Your Score: 4

Drive and Commitment
Your Score: 4

But they are only calling forward Dublin, Kildare and Wexford. I am in Waterford, does that mean we are now on a waiting list for Waterford or there is no requirement in Waterford at the moment?

Waterford here also. Such a long process. I guess we'll just have to be patient!

Cheeseplant · 01-12-2020 1:53pm

Irishder wrote: »

Looks like i Meet the qualifying standard:

But they are only calling forward Dublin, Kildare and Wexford. I am in Waterford, does that mean we are now on a waiting list for Waterford or there is no requirement in Waterford at the moment?

Well done. Hopefully Waterford will be called soon.

But was this not regional? How is there any Dubs in this group? I guess this means that it's unlikley they will call forward another batch for Dublin in next few weeks

Nicole2020 · 01-12-2020 1:58pm

Just heard back and it was a mistake and I have an amended message already advising that I qualified and will be moved to the next stage

really pleased!

Nicole2020 · 01-12-2020 1:59pm

Cheeseplant wrote: »

Well done. Hopefully Waterford will be called soon.

But was this not regional? How is there any Dubs in this group? I guess this means that it's unlikley they will call forward another batch for Dublin in next few weeks

Extra time to prep! I hope we don’t get a January date before Christmas though, I’ll be thinking about it all over the holidays then, lol!

Ravelleman · 01-12-2020 2:01pm

Nicole2020 wrote: »

Just heard back and it was a mistake and I have an amended message already advising that I qualified and will be moved to the next stage really pleased!

Oh good. I got straight threes last month also and passed. A good score, I find.

NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

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