NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

Ravelleman · 18-02-2021 10:41am

qwabercd wrote: »

Was there a new competition ran this year or is this still a follow on from last year?

This is the competition advertised in March 2020. The previous competition was announced in the autumn of 2018.

AMR_83 · 18-02-2021 12:50pm

gmisk wrote: »

Two good examples from each competency.
Also maybe look at who is on your interview panel, it helps if you can reference some real world examples in their area.
I got AP a few years back on another panel all going good so far.

Good luck!

Thanks a lot gmisk. I didn't know that we'd be informed ahead of time of the folks on the panel - that's good. Congrats on your placement, glad to hear all's going well.

AMR_83 · 18-02-2021 12:52pm

HelloPeeps wrote: »

I also did the previous competition and got on to the panel but didn't take up the role for various reasons.

The interview was fairly structured, as far as I remember. They tell you at the beginning who will be covering which competencies and ask questions in order, so you know which boxes you should be ticking with your answers. I think 'Drive & commitment to public services values' was addressed across all the questions rather having a specific section. I found that I was given time to answer and then they probed a bit further with follow up questions, or asked for a more specific answer. However, from this thread it seems that one panel asked more rapid fire questions. I'm not sure if that was a change in approach or just the dynamic of the specific panel.

If you haven't already look up the AP competencies to know exactly what they would like you to demonstrate - https://www.publicjobs.ie/restapi/documents/Assistant_Principal_Officer_Level.pdf

If you haven't done competency based interviews before it's worth reading up about the STAR interview method or similar. It is a particular style that takes a bit of getting used to.

Good luck.

Fab info, HelloPeeps, you're an old pro at this stage!

No, I don't have experience in this format for interviews, so I will certainly study up. Congrats on passing the e-tray... now onto the next hurdle, eh?

philadvalorem · 19-02-2021 1:41pm

Hi folks,

Found out two days ago I passed Stage 3 and then today I was told my interview is Monday week.

Bit surprised at only getting 9 days notice, but also I wasn't told who my interview panel would be which I thought was standard practice.

For those of you who went through in the first group, were you advised of the makeup of your interview panel in advance?

thanks,

P

TaurenDruid · 19-02-2021 2:49pm

philadvalorem wrote: »

Hi folks,

Found out two days ago I passed Stage 3 and then today I was told my interview is Monday week.

Bit surprised at only getting 9 days notice, but also I wasn't told who my interview panel would be which I thought was standard practice.

For those of you who went through in the first group, were you advised of the makeup of your interview panel in advance?

thanks,

P

You will be notified, but they may not know who is definitely available for the panel just yet. If you've not heard by, say, Wednesday, I'd give them a call.

philadvalorem · 19-02-2021 4:53pm

TaurenDruid wrote: »

You will be notified, but they may not know who is definitely available for the panel just yet. If you've not heard by, say, Wednesday, I'd give them a call.

thanks for that, appreciate it.

P

boarder123 · 20-02-2021 10:10am

I got notice yesterday that my interview is on 8th March

Pdbtsi · 20-02-2021 11:21am

I received notification they've reached my place in the panel - I am Dublin open stream, batch 2.2. or 3 (those that did final interview in mid-December). I had thought they wouldn't reach me until end of year - was way off on that one!

Irishder · 20-02-2021 3:48pm

boarder123 wrote: »

I got notice yesterday that my interview is on 8th March

For what County?

boarder123 · 20-02-2021 4:48pm

Galway and Westmeath

big big loader · 20-02-2021 6:33pm

So did I - 8th March also

Mbwb · 20-02-2021 7:21pm

philadvalorem wrote: »

Hi folks,

Found out two days ago I passed Stage 3 and then today I was told my interview is Monday week.

Bit surprised at only getting 9 days notice, but also I wasn't told who my interview panel would be which I thought was standard practice.

For those of you who went through in the first group, were you advised of the makeup of your interview panel in advance?

thanks,

P

My interview is Monday week too, my mind is frazzled

mariagirl · 21-02-2021 10:21am

Morning all, just wondering what score PAS have reached in calling applicants from the Dublin region. I think I seen it was 115 but that was nearly a couple of months ago now. I have tried to contact PAS a few times but they have not got back to me on it. It is just to guage if I will be called..ever..! Thanks

PhoenixParker · 21-02-2021 11:41am

mariagirl wrote: »

Morning all, just wondering what score PAS have reached in calling applicants from the Dublin region. I think I seen it was 115 but that was nearly a couple of months ago now. I have tried to contact PAS a few times but they have not got back to me on it. It is just to guage if I will be called..ever..! Thanks

It hasn't moved from 115ish but the group ahead seem to be moving to interview so expect to hear soon.

mariagirl · 21-02-2021 12:11pm

PhoenixParker wrote: »

It hasn't moved from 115ish but the group ahead seem to be moving to interview so expect to hear soon.

Thank you!

Bobbobthebob · 21-02-2021 11:00pm

philadvalorem wrote: »

Hi folks,

Found out two days ago I passed Stage 3 and then today I was told my interview is Monday week.

Bit surprised at only getting 9 days notice, but also I wasn't told who my interview panel would be which I thought was standard practice.

For those of you who went through in the first group, were you advised of the makeup of your interview panel in advance?

thanks,

P

I was informed of my panel but I was not interviewed by anyone who was supposed to be on that panel. No notice or acknowledgment of the change was given to me. Was a bit disconcerting when the interview kicked off and I recognised none of the names

Mervyn Skidmore · 22-02-2021 12:37am

Got an internal AP offer on Thursday evening and the PAS interview notification on Friday morning. Months and months of nothing and then this. I think I'll take my internal offer, remote working and a complete change of scenery for me in terms of work after 15 years of a similar type work.

big big loader · 22-02-2021 4:32pm

For those that have done their final interview. Did you prepare examples for "Specialist Knowledge. Expertise, Self development" ??

Am I right in saying "Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values" is the only competency not directly questioned by a Board Member, but is judged over the entirety of the interview by the board and marked afterwards. Ie - iu don't need to prep examples on it ??

tap28 · 24-02-2021 2:16pm

Hi,
I have the interview on Monday.
Are the interviewers in one room or is it 4 different video feeds zooming in?
Thanks,
tap

HannahR31 · 24-02-2021 3:14pm

tap28 wrote: »

Hi,
I have the interview on Monday.
Are the interviewers in one room or is it 4 different video feeds zooming in?
Thanks,
tap

4 different videos. Put 1 is the PAS rep who will turn their camera on at the start to say hello and explain that they'll kick you out of the zoom at the end, and then they'll turn of their camera, and turn it back on at the end to say thank you and log you out. So you'll only have 3 feeds to look at.

big big loader · 24-02-2021 8:52pm

Anyone?? For those that have done their final interview. Did you prepare examples for "Specialist Knowledge. Expertise, Self development" ??

Am I right in saying "Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values" is the only competency not directly questioned by a Board Member, but is judged over the entirety of the interview by the board and marked afterwards. Ie - iu don't need to prep examples on it ??

Nicole2020 · 24-02-2021 10:10pm

big big loader wrote: »

Anyone?? For those that have done their final interview. Did you prepare examples for "Specialist Knowledge. Expertise, Self development" ??

Am I right in saying "Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values" is the only competency not directly questioned by a Board Member, but is judged over the entirety of the interview by the board and marked afterwards. Ie - iu don't need to prep examples on it ??

For the specialist knowledge it really could be anything but always useful to have read recent government announcements etc. I prepped a bit on Brexit, Slainte Care, the movement to remote working etc. I was asked on what I felt would be a challenge for me in the AP role.

That’s correct regarding the drive and commitment.

Best of luck in the interviews everyone!

boarder123 · 25-02-2021 1:41pm

I have interview on the 8th March and was just wondering about the format. The form we submitted has three questions - leadership, management and analysis & decision making. Was the interview structured on this with each board member taking a question. Or is it structured the same as the internal interviews with each board member taking a competency?

Thanks

MrsBean · 25-02-2021 2:22pm

It's structured on competency. Chairperson will set out at the start which board member will take which competencies. They'll refer to your form briefly at the start, doing a quick career walkthrough. I think it's more just to get you settled than anything. But after that it's all about your competencies and I don't think they referred to the form again when I did it.

AMR_83 · 03-03-2021 5:52pm

Just did my panel interview, have to say it was better than I expected. The board members were really lovely, and I felt they asked some leading questions to try to get the most of of me. I didn't get the impression of "quick-fire" questions as some of the previous posters have mentioned, but perhaps that was just my board, or the way I interpreted the structure of the interview. I might have waffled a tiny bit here and there, but sure that's to be expected I suppose! Job's done now; it's in God's hands as they say. The PAS representative said that interviews were continuing this week & next week, and that we should hear results in a couple of weeks. Good luck to all who are going through the process, it ain't easy!! :P

Mbwb · 04-03-2021 1:42am

AMR_83 wrote: »

Just did my panel interview, have to say it was better than I expected. The board members were really lovely, and I felt they asked some leading questions to try to get the most of of me. I didn't get the impression of "quick-fire" questions as some of the previous posters have mentioned, but perhaps that was just my board, or the way I interpreted the structure of the interview. I might have waffled a tiny bit here and there, but sure that's to be expected I suppose! Job's done now; it's in God's hands as they say. The PAS representative said that interviews were continuing this week & next week, and that we should hear results in a couple of weeks. Good luck to all who are going through the process, it ain't easy!! :P

Best of luck! I did mine on Monday, I found they asked me more open ended questions, a couple of challenging ones at the end. I didn’t get the quick fire questions either. Of course I was doing a post mortem thinking oh I should have said this or should have said that! Well, we’ll find out in a couple of weeks

HelloPeeps · 04-03-2021 10:50am

I did mine yesterday too. It felt like a very fair and structured interview -what you would expect. I agree about a couple of tricky questions at the end. Not sure if I preformed my best, I forgot to relate to specific examples at times and was possibly a bit vague in my answers. Only time will tell.

AMR_83 · 05-03-2021 10:28pm

Mbwb wrote: »

Best of luck! I did mine on Monday, I found they asked me more open ended questions, a couple of challenging ones at the end. I didn’t get the quick fire questions either. Of course I was doing a post mortem thinking oh I should have said this or should have said that! Well, we’ll find out in a couple of weeks

HelloPeeps wrote: »

I did mine yesterday too. It felt like a very fair and structured interview -what you would expect. I agree about a couple of tricky questions at the end. Not sure if I preformed my best, I forgot to relate to specific examples at times and was possibly a bit vague in my answers. Only time will tell.

Best of luck to you both. I keep thinking I could've explained this better, or could've been more specific... but all in all, I think it was grand. Who knows though - I've had many an interview before where I think it went well & still didn't get the job, so really hard to tell! Just hope we're not waiting too long for feedback.

HelloPeeps · 11-03-2021 4:37pm

I just got results from the Dublin interviews a couple of weeks ago. I made it through to the panel. I'm very pleased with the result.

tap28 · 11-03-2021 4:52pm

HelloPeeps wrote: »

I just got results from the Dublin interviews a couple of weeks ago. I made it through to the panel. I'm very pleased with the result.

Same here I'm 24th of open and 18th for interD

Anyone know how long the panel is open for?

May o Shea · 11-03-2021 4:53pm

Hi guys, has anyone been called with a total score of 111 for a pre recorded interview

Adaptor101 · 11-03-2021 6:02pm

I got through as well, anybody any idea what number they are at on the current batch?

Mbwb · 11-03-2021 6:44pm

I got my interview results and I also made it through! am delighted

Mbwb · 11-03-2021 6:47pm

it's open for another year, you will be called within a couple of months probably. Panels last 2 years from the start date of competition. There are lots of AP vacancies across Dublin to be filled, in my own Department they have appointed approx 20 APs in the last 8 months and still have vacancies for more and I am in one of the smaller Departments. @tap28

Boarder 123 · 11-03-2021 8:00pm

Made it through too. Absolutely delighted.

AMR_83 · 11-03-2021 9:46pm

Congrats to those who got through to the panel. I didn't qualify unfortunately. I don't know what more I could've done in the interview to be honest; so guess it just wasn't meant to be. 1st time doing one of these comps... disappointed to fall at the final hurdle... but guess it's all experience.

Pdbtsi · 12-03-2021 8:43am

Adaptor101 wrote: »

I got through as well, anybody any idea what number they are at on the current batch?

Congratulations to everyone who completed the interview! I am going through the employment clearances and checks at the moment and I was no 6 on open for batch 2.2 (I think - those who did final interview in mid-December). Seems to be moving very quickly.

Cheeseplant · 12-03-2021 1:16pm

May o Shea wrote: »

Hi guys, has anyone been called with a total score of 111 for a pre recorded interview

Not yet. Last time, batch 3 regional, got their interview results mid- december and the following week the video invites for batch 4 ( those getting their interview results now) so it could be in the next week or so.

Nicole2020 · 12-03-2021 3:08pm

AMR_83 wrote: »

Congrats to those who got through to the panel. I didn't qualify unfortunately. I don't know what more I could've done in the interview to be honest; so guess it just wasn't meant to be. 1st time doing one of these comps... disappointed to fall at the final hurdle... but guess it's all experience.

Sorry to hear that, it’s tough after making it through to the last stage and all the hard work. Great experience though and it’ll stand to you next time.

Nicole2020 · 12-03-2021 3:09pm

Pdbtsi wrote: »

Congratulations to everyone who completed the interview! I am going through the employment clearances and checks at the moment and I was no 6 on open for batch 2.2 (I think - those who did final interview in mid-December). Seems to be moving very quickly.

I was 13 in the same batch and am also going through clearance and checks at the moment. What department did you get?

Mbwb · 12-03-2021 4:39pm

Mbwb · 12-03-2021 4:40pm

Mbwb · 12-03-2021 4:42pm

Mbwb · 12-03-2021 4:46pm

griffid · 12-03-2021 4:51pm

Is there anyone else here who moved location since applying for this and now the choice of region doesn't suit anymore? Covid opportunity was too good to pass up.

HelloPeeps · 12-03-2021 4:56pm

AMR_83 wrote: »

Congrats to those who got through to the panel. I didn't qualify unfortunately. I don't know what more I could've done in the interview to be honest; so guess it just wasn't meant to be. 1st time doing one of these comps... disappointed to fall at the final hurdle... but guess it's all experience.

Sorry to hear you didn't make it through, it is tough after making it so far. I do think that it can be hard to translate private sector experience into something that will tick the right boxes in civil service interviews. Also the competency based interviews are a very specific approach that can take a while to get used to.

If you are really interested in trying again, I know people have found the interview training from Carr Communication or other similar providers to be useful. Best of luck whatever you decide.

Cheeseplant · 12-03-2021 4:57pm

Cheeseplant wrote: »

Not yet. Last time, batch 3 regional, got their interview results mid- december and the following week the video invites for batch 4 ( those getting their interview results now) so it could be in the next week or so.

The next batch called through there now!!

TrishaK · 12-03-2021 4:59pm

Cheeseplant wrote: »

The next batch called through there now!!

What score are the taking it from in this batch??

Milenauno · 12-03-2021 5:02pm

Cheeseplant wrote: »

The next batch called through there now!!

Yes! I am trying to find some advice previously given on this thread on video interview. Does anyone know on what page I can find it?

Milenauno · 12-03-2021 5:02pm

TrishaK wrote: »

What score are the taking it from in this batch??

My score is 107

NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

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