Clerical Officer (Dublin) 2019

Kevin17W · 18-05-2019 5:35pm

Just finished interview and got offered An Garda Síochána.

LittleMissRed · 18-05-2019 5:38pm

snigiollarua wrote: »

I was interviewed this morning loads there, I got a letter saying I was successful in the interview, however I wasn't placed in any of the departments that were there, most were assigned to guards I am bit confused now whether I was successful as they didn't give me a position anyone else get the letter I got.

I got the same letter and spoke to someone to clarify. They said that some people were assigned based on various factors but that they only had a certain amount of vacancies to fill today. However, they know they have a lot more vacancies coming up (every day apparently) over the next few weeks so will assign us to a department as they arise. So you have been successful, just yet to be assigned a department.
Congratulations! :-)

snigiollarua · 18-05-2019 5:46pm

marthahen wrote: »

I got the same as yourself.

I wonder does that mean we are being put on panel, I asked one girls who work there and she said that they will prob call during the week

snigiollarua · 18-05-2019 5:46pm

LittleMissRed wrote: »

I got the same letter and spoke to someone to clarify. They said that some people were assigned based on various factors but that they only had a certain amount of vacancies to fill today. However, they know they have a lot more vacancies coming up (every day apparently) over the next few weeks so will assign us to a department as they arise. So you have been successful, just yet to be assigned a department.
Congratulations! :-)

Congrats too hopefully hear soon

snigiollarua · 18-05-2019 6:06pm

Kevin17W wrote: »

Just finished interview and got offered An Garda Síochána.

Congrats ☺ I'll just have to wait and see

Dublintigger · 18-05-2019 7:22pm

LittleMissRed wrote: »

I got the same letter and spoke to someone to clarify. They said that some people were assigned based on various factors but that they only had a certain amount of vacancies to fill today. However, they know they have a lot more vacancies coming up (every day apparently) over the next few weeks so will assign us to a department as they arise. So you have been successful, just yet to be assigned a department.
Congratulations! :-)

I also got the same letter and this evening I was sent a Garda Vetting form to fully complete..... so once I get that in, the sooner I'll hear.

They have everything else doc wise from me.

Fingers crossed I'll be sorted soon

snigiollarua · 18-05-2019 7:42pm

Dublintigger wrote: »

I also got the same letter and this evening I was sent a Garda Vetting form to fully complete..... so once I get that in, the sooner I'll hear.

They have everything else doc wise from me.

Fingers crossed I'll be sorted soon

Congrats did they email guarda vetting form to you

LittleMissRed · 18-05-2019 8:34pm

Dublintigger wrote: »

I also got the same letter and this evening I was sent a Garda Vetting form to fully complete..... so once I get that in, the sooner I'll hear.

They have everything else doc wise from me.

Fingers crossed I'll be sorted soon

I’ve received the Garda Vetting form too so I’ll be getting that done straight away.
Have you already given them your written references?

snigiollarua · 18-05-2019 8:38pm

LittleMissRed wrote: »

I’ve received the Garda Vetting form too so I’ll be getting that done straight away.
Have you already given them your written references?

Did you not have guarda vetting form with you going to interview or is it a more detailed one

LittleMissRed · 18-05-2019 9:49pm

snigiollarua wrote: »

Did you not have guarda vetting form with you going to interview or is it a more detailed one

Yes I had the short one that they emailed us before the interview. This is a more detailed one and its online. They’ll send you a link to access it

jock 1 · 18-05-2019 9:53pm

If it’s vetting for working in a Garda station it’s a more detailed vetting process and will take 3 months to process , so anyone who was offered a place with An Garda Síochána will be waiting 3 months to start , just so you know

snigiollarua · 18-05-2019 10:00pm

jock 1 wrote: »

If it’s vetting for working in a Garda station it’s a more detailed vetting process and will take 3 months to process , so anyone who was offered a place with An Garda Síochána will be waiting 3 months to start , just so you know

I never got email sent so must be put on panel best luck guys

Kevin17W · 19-05-2019 7:12am

snigiollarua wrote: »

I never got email sent so must be put on panel best luck guys

I got offered An Garda Síochána also. I’d imagine they’ll email us early this week coming. My sister got offered AGS last year and as mentioned above vetting and additional security clearance takes a while. Part of the vetting stage is completed by your local garda station so depending on work loads there etc. Normally 12-15 weeks then maybe a months notice, going from what my sister told me.

Turtyturd · 19-05-2019 9:22am

Did anyone who got the Garda get any information on where the positions would be based?

Friend of mine applied as they want out of our department and was given the Garda but will only take it if it’s City Centre based.

jodibobs · 19-05-2019 10:16am

I wonder did they fill the 300 positions, I didn't get called for interview, received the email that my questionnaire was passed and possibly interview in June. Fingers crossed I will get a .call

Dawn1234 · 19-05-2019 10:40am

Daisy90 wrote: »

I had mine this morning too , interviewers have the letters with them so it seems as if you are already assigned before you go in! Anyone know what it's like working in the office of the ombudsman??

Don’t undersell yourself. Offers of placement were based on your application, questionnaire AND interview. Many applicants didn’t get an invitation to interview, so anyone that got ranked in the top 300 based on their application and questionnaire done brilliantly. If you couldn’t answer specific questions during interview, you would not have been hired. They are likely to have matched applicants to different departments based on your application details for example if you had a experience/qualification in business/HR you would be likely be assigned to NSSO etc. but if you hadn't prepared for or do well in interview, an offer would not have occurred. Applicants awaited result of interview in waiting room before being called back in when decision was made and offer of assignment letter printed.

In reply to your question, I have heard that the Office of the Ombudsman is a great place to work in.

Daisy90 · 19-05-2019 11:56am

Thanks for that Dawn1234 , I never thought of it like that! I was just so nervous yesterday , that everything was so overwhelming! Delighted to have got an offer though!

Seniorcitizen · 19-05-2019 1:36pm

Congratulations to everyone who passed the interview, I wasn't successful, fell at the last hurdle, devastated. Letter said 'it is envisaged that we will be advertising another Clerical Officer competition this year'. I'm trying to crack the awful competency based questions and hopefully will get through the next round.

votecounts · 19-05-2019 1:40pm

Seniorcitizen wrote: »

Congratulations to everyone who passed the interview, I wasn't successful, fell at the last hurdle, devastated. Letter said 'it is envisaged that we will be advertising another Clerical Officer competition this year'. I'm trying to crack the awful competency based questions and hopefully will get through the next round.

Don't feel too bad, sure there were others who did not pass the interview. There will be other competitions, just have your comptencies better prepared next time.

Seniorcitizen · 19-05-2019 1:40pm

Rejection letter stated that I could email for feedback on my interview, I did so straight away. Does anyone know how long before they get back to you, and how useful is the feedback, thanks

snigiollarua · 19-05-2019 6:18pm

Seniorcitizen wrote: »

Rejection letter stated that I could email for feedback on my interview, I did so straight away. Does anyone know how long before they get back to you, and how useful is the feedback, thanks

Sorry to hear you fell at interview I found it a very tough interview, I passed but was not placed they will be running another so don't give up and at least you will know what to expect from the next one. Best of luck

irishbigfoot · 19-05-2019 6:21pm

Seniorcitizen wrote: »

Rejection letter stated that I could email for feedback on my interview, I did so straight away. Does anyone know how long before they get back to you, and how useful is the feedback, thanks

They are quick enough in giving you any feedback and interview notes (if there was somebody there taking them and if you request them). Generally speaking the feedback is short and could be a sentence or two but could highlight which competency they felt was weak which might help you in reformulating your examples.

If you haven't seen the competency model then have a look here:
https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/Clerical_Officer_Level.pdf
Always useful to study before an interview and have a few examples of each of the 6 high level area's even if they don't ask for any in your application.

Dublintigger · 20-05-2019 8:50am

LittleMissRed wrote: »

I’ve received the Garda Vetting form too so I’ll be getting that done straight away.
Have you already given them your written references?

Yes - they took copies of them on Saturday.

2016claire · 20-05-2019 9:51am

Hi all, congrats to everyone who did the interview. Did my interview last Saturday and I got offered An Garda Síochána. I’ve received the Garda Vetting form and don straight away. I have to look for accommodation for Dublin once I know where ill be based. Is there anyone else same boat as me? If so could you private message me and maybe we could share the accommodation, I know it takes about 3 months for vetting to be done.
Thank you all and best of luck to everyone

snigiollarua · 20-05-2019 11:41am

Any one else who got letter to say passed interview but didn't get placement hear any more, don't know whether to email

Yazzy124 · 20-05-2019 12:26pm

I went for the interview Saturday and got the Nsso. Does anyone have a idea when we would be starting.

Gaffer78 · 20-05-2019 1:58pm

Yazzy124 wrote: »

I went for the interview Saturday and got the Nsso. Does anyone have a idea when we would be starting.

Would imagine you can start as soon as the garda vetting is completed and you have provided PAS with the different bits they have looked for, references etc.

dylanyahoo · 20-05-2019 2:01pm

Just a random question, I'm not in this competition,

Do Clerical Officers in the Garda wear a uniform? I know they do in Mountjoy Prison.

Yazzy124 · 20-05-2019 2:27pm

Gaffer78 wrote: »

Would imagine you can start as soon as the garda vetting is completed and you have provided PAS with the different bits they have looked for, references etc.

Thanks Gafffer78

Nigel Fairservice · 20-05-2019 3:14pm

dylanyahoo wrote: »

Just a random question, I'm not in this competition,

Do Clerical Officers in the Garda wear a uniform? I know they do in Mountjoy Prison.

No, garda civilians don't. Clerical officers in the Prison Service do wear a uniform.

Clarenceworley · 20-05-2019 4:24pm

Glad to hear the success stories. My son has been told he may get called in June. In an attempt to prepare him for it (just in case!) I was wondering if anyone who had been interviewed could answer a quick question?

Someone previously mentioned about the competencies for a CO. I am familiar with competency based interviews but the form which my son filled out had no competencies on it - just asked for his work experience.

Could someone explain how they went about structuring competency based questions? Did they go through the work experience or did they actually call out the competencies and ask questions like they would if a competency based form had of been submitted?

Any help is much appreciated and well done again to all.

Kevin17W · 20-05-2019 4:36pm

Clarenceworley wrote: »

Glad to hear the success stories. My son has been told he may get called in June. In an attempt to prepare him for it (just in case!) I was wondering if anyone who had been interviewed could answer a quick question?

Someone previously mentioned about the competencies for a CO. I am familiar with competency based interviews but the form which my son filled out had no competencies on it - just asked for his work experience.

Could someone explain how they went about structuring competency based questions? Did they go through the work experience or did they actually call out the competencies and ask questions like they would if a competency based form had of been submitted?

Any help is much appreciated and well done again to all.

https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/Clerical_Officer_Level.pdf
^^Link to CO competencies^^

Usually two panel members. One may ask teamwork and delivery of results other will ask two more.

They asked me about teamwork, examples of working on a team the results, they emphasised alot on the outcome. Also they asked about a time when something didn’t go to plan, they want to see if you can think on your own feet and be leader in group or know your role.

Also asked me about my communication skills and how I deliver my information to others and in what manner. Asked do you consider communication important as to other skills.

They spend some time on self development and engagement in work should you be successful in obtaining the job. Do you think it’s important for civil servants to upskill and why? Ask me is there anything I’d do. I just mentioned I’m starting an online course in September to up-skill and they were happy.

And they referred to my application with level or experience or expertise in Microsoft, email etc. Ask me to explain something I learned on Word that I didn’t know before and also asked would I feel comfortable and would I do presentations at work. Asked me about presentations i did in college and what grade i got.

I tend to use the STAR Technique for the competency question and scenarios etc.

Hope that’s helpful

Clarenceworley · 20-05-2019 4:55pm

Kevin17W wrote: »

https://www.publicjobs.ie/documents/Clerical_Officer_Level.pdf
^^Link to CO competencies^^

Usually two panel members. One may ask teamwork and delivery of results other will ask two more.

They asked me about teamwork, examples of working on a team the results, they emphasised alot on the outcome. Also they asked about a time when something didn’t go to plan, they want to see if you can think on your own feet and be leader in group or know your role.

Also asked me about my communication skills and how I deliver my information to others and in what manner. Asked do you consider communication important as to other skills.

They spend some time on self development and engagement in work should you be successful in obtaining the job. Do you think it’s important for civil servants to upskill and why? Ask me is there anything I’d do. I just mentioned I’m starting an online course in September to up-skill and they were happy.

And they referred to my application with level or experience or expertise in Microsoft, email etc. Ask me to explain something I learned on Word that I didn’t know before and also asked would I feel comfortable and would I do presentations at work. Asked me about presentations i did in college and what grade i got.

I tend to use the STAR Technique for the competency question and scenarios etc.

Hope that’s helpful

Wow...great help. Thank you very much indeed for this. Gives us a good starting point to prepare from. Thanks a million.

Yazzy124 · 20-05-2019 5:05pm

For the interview they asked me about examples for each such as team work, delivery of results etc. They asked me a few examples for each so tell me a time in your degree that you felt team work was important tell me a time when you worked in x what teamwork was involved. I would learn more than one example for each as it can be switched around. Also focused on self development I focused on talking about college and education and any achievements on previous work experience such as promotion etc. Best of luck

Clarenceworley · 20-05-2019 5:22pm

Yazzy124 wrote: »

For the interview they asked me about examples for each such as team work, delivery of results etc. They asked me a few examples for each so tell me a time in your degree that you felt team work was important tell me a time when you worked in x what teamwork was involved. I would learn more than one example for each as it can be switched around. Also focused on self development I focused on talking about college and education and any achievements on previous work experience such as promotion etc. Best of luck

Again, great help. Will make sure he is well prepared for each competency. Fingers crossed.

cvb03 · 20-05-2019 7:16pm

Greengrass123 wrote: »

Had my interview at 8.30 this morning, it was all competency based no tell me about yourself or talk me through your employment history. After interview you are asked to wait in a room with the others who have finished their interviews. Letters are then handed out to let you know how you done. Thankfully I passed interview and have provisionally been assigned to an garda siochana

Hi, Congratulations on passing your interview. I have an interview next week for a temporary clerical officer position. How many people were interviewing you ? I wonder is it the same process with the letters after interviews for temporary clerical officers?

CoffeTime · 20-05-2019 7:59pm

Do we have to send to clearance@publicjobs.ie written work references or a referees list with their contact details?
TIA

Kevin17W · 20-05-2019 8:01pm

CoffeTime wrote: »

Do we have to send to clearance@publicjobs.ie written work references or a referees list with their contact details?
TIA

I just forwarded written references. I only sent references from my supervisors during my times as TCO. They wanted them in pdf. I’m sure they’ll ask for more if needs be.

CoffeTime · 20-05-2019 8:11pm

Kevin17W wrote: »

I just forwarded written references. I only sent references from my supervisors during my times as TCO. They wanted them in pdf. I’m sure they’ll ask for more if needs be.

Thanks Kevin!

Eod100 · 20-05-2019 8:50pm

CoffeTime wrote: »

Do we have to send to clearance@publicjobs.ie written work references or a referees list with their contact details?
TIA

Was that in the letter? I didn't spot that bit.

CoffeTime · 20-05-2019 11:57pm

Eod100 wrote: »

Was that in the letter? I didn't spot that bit.

Yes, they say in the letter that if you pass the garda vetting process they will contact you to to seek your permission to gather references from the referees provided.

Eod100 · 21-05-2019 8:55am

CoffeTime wrote: »

Yes, they say in the letter that if you pass the garda vetting process they will contact you to to seek your permission to gather references from the referees provided.

Spotted that bit, thought it meant they would make contact at that stage for references

LittleMissRed · 21-05-2019 9:46am

Eod100 wrote: »

Spotted that bit, thought it meant they would make contact at that stage for references

The original application information booklet said to have two written references ready to submit in case you are successful at interview. On the day of interview they asked me at registration if I had them but said it was totally fine if I didn't. Then they announced that if we had any outstanding documentation to send it on to them as soon as possible just to speed up the process for ourselves.

Cople · 21-05-2019 12:47pm

Still a bit unsure of what to do re references.

I passed the interview on saturday but didn't get an immediate placement. I was asked when I was signing in did I have my references with me (which I didn't). I was told to forward them on after the interview, but when I received my letter it said that they would contact my referees once I'd been placed.
My issue is that I can get one written reference no problem from my current employer, but my previous employer does not provide written references, they'll take a quick phone call if they absolutely have to but never a written one.
I've been trying to get in touch with a college tutor to get one but he's hard to get a hold of. Does anyone have any advice? I really don't want to miss out on a placement after having come this far

LittleMissRed · 21-05-2019 4:27pm

Cople wrote: »

Still a bit unsure of what to do re references.

I passed the interview on saturday but didn't get an immediate placement. I was asked when I was signing in did I have my references with me (which I didn't). I was told to forward them on after the interview, but when I received my letter it said that they would contact my referees once I'd been placed.
My issue is that I can get one written reference no problem from my current employer, but my previous employer does not provide written references, they'll take a quick phone call if they absolutely have to but never a written one.
I've been trying to get in touch with a college tutor to get one but he's hard to get a hold of. Does anyone have any advice? I really don't want to miss out on a placement after having come this far

I've seen people mention this on the 2017 Clerical Officer thread. It seems that while they would prefer the written reference, if an employer is refusing then they are happy to organise a quick call to discuss it. However, I'd recommend contacting PAS and explaining your situation to get clarity on it. If you get the direction from them then you can't go wrong

Eod100 · 21-05-2019 5:40pm

LittleMissRed wrote: »

The original application information booklet said to have two written references ready to submit in case you are successful at interview. On the day of interview they asked me at registration if I had them but said it was totally fine if I didn't. Then they announced that if we had any outstanding documentation to send it on to them as soon as possible just to speed up the process for ourselves.

I was same but person that dealt with me just said they would be in contact after. Got email to that effect earlier too

2016claire · 24-05-2019 11:17am

Hi all,

Has anyone herd any thing yet any update?

Dublintigger · 24-05-2019 11:44am

2016claire wrote: »

Hi all,

Has anyone herd any thing yet any update?

No nothing yet.... not expecting any news until next week.

LittleMissRed · 24-05-2019 12:38pm

2016claire wrote: »

Hi all,

Has anyone herd any thing yet any update?

Not yet. I suspect they are waiting for Garda vetting to clear before assigning anyone.

Yazzy124 · 28-05-2019 10:35am

Got a email to say garda vetting was completed from vetting company

Clerical Officer (Dublin) 2019

Comments