Garda Reserve - Interview/Report-Writing (see Moderator note: POST#1)

msg11

Well guys , I have my interview next week on the 18th of May. I'm looking forward to it at the same time as been nervous. I didn't pass maths in my L.C, and they have still called me in. Hopefully I won't be turned away on the day.

Anyone got any tips/advice for me ? One question, I can't figure out how to answer in my head is my reason for joining.

Will I go with

1. I'm sick of scumbags thinking they own the place and making life hard for good citizens. Approach?

Or

2. Too help and protect the vulnerable members of society while upholding the name of the organisation. Approach ?

Another thing is I don't own a suit, I'm going to wear jeans. Will I go with Runners or Shoes. Then a shirt maybe a tie? I'm 21 and wouldn't wear a tie to be honest. Should I just dress as if I was going out into town on a night out?

Also, on the questions they ask do you think it would be ok to answer all questions regarding team work, solving a difficult problem etc.. with answers from my current job?

Ruairi88

First things first. You can not go into an interview with the line "I'm sick of scumbags making it difficult for everyone else" do you actually want to fail? If your aspirations are to join the full-time force use that in the interview. I want to join the Garda Reserve as I have aspirations to join the force full time and I am looking for the experience.

Secondly rent a suit! if you were an interviewer what would you think of a person who walked in with a pair of runners on and wearing a pair of jeans? You have to sell yourself well. Wearing a suit is also a sign that you respect the interview board and you take pride in your appearance.

Thirdly and finally, I'm sure you have worked as part of team outside your occupation, incorporate that into your "working as part of a team" answer.

Goodluck.

msg11

Ruairi88 wrote: »

First things first. You can not go into an interview with the line "I'm sick of scumbags making it difficult for everyone else" do you actually want to fail? If your aspirations are to join the full-time force use that in the interview. I want to join the Garda Reserve as I have aspirations to join the force full time and I am looking for the experience.

Secondly rent a suit! if you were an interviewer what would you think of a person who walked in with a pair of runners on and wearing a pair of jeans? You have to sell yourself well. Wearing a suit is also a sign that you respect the interview board and you take pride in your appearance.

Thirdly and finally, I'm sure you have worked as part of team outside your occupation, incorporate that into your "working as part of a team" answer.

Goodluck.

Thanks Ruairi , never though about renting a suit must look into it on Monday. Don't worrie I'm not going to go with that line, like you said. I am interested in the full time so, I'll just jot down some thoughts on Monday as to why I want to join against what they do and what I can gain from joining them and what they can get from me joining them.

Thanks!

kerry4sam

msg11 wrote: »

Well guys , I have my interview next week on the 18th of May. I'm looking forward to it at the same time as been nervous. I didn't pass maths in my L.C, and they have still called me in. Hopefully I won't be turned away on the day.
...
Another thing is I don't own a suit, I'm going to wear jeans. Will I go with Runners or Shoes. Then a shirt maybe a tie? I'm 21 and wouldn't wear a tie to be honest. Should I just dress as if I was going out into town on a night out?

...

msg11 wrote: »

Thanks Ruairi , never though about renting a suit must look into it on Monday. ...Thanks!

To be honest, what you said above would actually be okay. Not everyone would wear at suit. Once you dress formal you will be okay. Some like yourself may not actually own a suit and some won't for varying reasons be able to rent suits either. All of that is understood and as I said, once you are smartly dressed you will be okay.
Dress smart and polish your shoes Good Luck on the 18th.

msg11

kerry4sam wrote: »

To be honest, what you said above would actually be okay. Not everyone would wear at suit. Once you dress formal you will be okay. Some like yourself may not actually own a suit and some won't for varying reasons be able to rent suits either. All of that is understood and as I said, once you are smartly dressed you will be okay.
Dress smart and polish your shoes Good Luck on the 18th.

Well tomorrow is the day, got my formal outfit just there today and a new haircut. Have to get my stuff photocopied tonight. Looking forward too tomorrow, just to get it out of the way and see what happens.

Decided against the jeans got slacks new shoes a shirt and a tie. Also going to go with; wanting to join the Garda full time in the near future and want to get a feel for the job while waiting for recruitment to begin.

Also remember I do Astro on a Thursday so going to some how fit that into my team approach.

Any more advise ?!

Thanks Kerry4Sam and Ruairi!

USERNAME24

msg11 wrote: »

Well tomorrow is the day, got my formal outfit just there today and a new haircut. Have to get my stuff photocopied tonight. Looking forward too tomorrow, just to get it out of the way and see what happens.

Decided against the jeans got slacks new shoes a shirt and a tie. Also going to go with; wanting to join the Garda full time in the near future and want to get a feel for the job while waiting for recruitment to begin.

Best of luck although I dont think anyone outside the current panel will be joining full time AGS in near future.:(

msg11

Well folks, grand owl day. Was in and out of the hole thing with in and 1 and 30 mins. The interview was only 15-20mins. Was this the same for everyone else?

The written test wasn't too bad, although I do think they should send out an example of the cartoon style strip to people cause it's alot different from the lines of text in there examples sent out.

kerry4sam

msg11 wrote: »

Well folks, grand owl day. Was in and out of the hole thing with in and 1 and 30 mins. The interview was only 15-20mins. Was this the same for everyone else?

The written test wasn't too bad, although I do think they should send out an example of the cartoon style strip to people cause it's alot different from the lines of text in there examples sent out.

I remember that the time flew for me aswell in there. The written for me was exactly as I expected with what I had received from PAS. They may have changed that though.
Ah sur, how bad anwyays. It is all behind you now. Well done

You should receive your result in normally 7-10working days.

B2deF

I have my interview next week. I'm fine with everything except the community thing they ask in the interview. Any tips please.

nathancool

Well did my report writing and interview. I think the interview went well, But the report writing I was so dissopointed with as I only finished half of it.

Tbh I feel sick because of it. Is there set amount of marks I need to get or if I did well in the interview and bad in the report writing that they may excuse it ??

Ruairi88

Don't worry about it. If you done a good interview that should boost your score! It's over and done with now so hang tight!

B2deF

They literally let everyone with half a brain in anyway

Delancey

B2deF wrote: »

They literally let everyone with half a brain in anyway

.... which pretty much rules you out for starters

B2deF

Delancey wrote: »

.... which pretty much rules you out for starters

True :):)

kerry4sam

B2deF wrote: »

They literally let everyone with half a brain in anyway

User infracted for this post. No further comments on this is necessary in here.

Thanks,
kerry4sam

Ruairi88

nathancool wrote: »

Well did my report writing and interview. I think the interview went well, But the report writing I was so dissopointed with as I only finished half of it.

Tbh I feel sick because of it. Is there set amount of marks I need to get or if I did well in the interview and bad in the report writing that they may excuse it ??

Well, I take it you got your feedback how did you get on? Did you pass? I went through a couple of techniques with my mate, he failed first time but passed it the second time!

LaurzH27

Got my interview in just over a week. Kinda nervous about the whole community work thing. I'm first aid trained and use it serving the community while I'm working. Is that ok? Also been accepted as a volunteer at citizens information but haven't started training or my placement yet!! So nervous I've my heart set on this. Help

ZoneAlarm

LaurzH27 wrote: »

Got my interview in just over a week. Kinda nervous about the whole community work thing. I'm first aid trained and use it serving the community while I'm working. Is that ok? Also been accepted as a volunteer at citizens information but haven't started training or my placement yet!! So nervous I've my heart set on this. Help

Just be yourself as if you went for the interview for your citizens information placement, simply, keep it short and to the point, as they say less is more, hope that helps.:)

King Ludvig

Well, it took just over three months since sending my initial application, but I finally got a letter today inviting me to the interview and report writting stage. Nervously excited now! Time to re-read this entire thread....:pac:

kerry4sam

King Ludvig wrote: »

Well, it took just over three months since sending my initial application, but I finally got a letter today inviting me to the interview and report writting stage. Nervously excited now! Time to re-read this entire thread....:pac:

oh wow! I was wondering where you had gone to. Best of Luck now King Ludvig. Any queries, just ask away

King Ludvig

Well ive got the interview later this week, currently running the questions and my answers over in my head!

The main topics I supposedly will be asked about are working as part of a team, solving a difficult problem and being involved in your local community (and maybe conflict resolution).

I think I have the community involvement covered pretty well. As for the others (solving problems and working in a team), my stories seem pretty amateurish....anyone willing to share their examples to give me something to compare to?

ZoneAlarm

Do you work in a factory or with other people hands on so to speak, does your work involve you passing work to others in your job, do you play football for a team or anyother sport involving team play.

Did anything happen in your job that you where able to solve or anything else that you done that sorted a problem out.

King Ludvig

Im a post-grad in college at the moment. I suppose I could talk about a recent group project I did with class mates - nothing hugely exciting though, just the usual run of the mill meeting up deciding who's doing what etc. Dont know how I develope that into some sort of interesting demenstration of my abillity to work in a team.

I work part-time in a petrol station also. Im a supervisor, usually only managing two other staff but I suppose thats something I could talk about if they ask about leadership.

As for solving a difficult problem....its a petrol station, not exactly the most challenging of jobs. Dealing with difficult customers would probably be the height of it.

ZoneAlarm

King Ludvig wrote: »

I work part-time in a petrol station also. Im a supervisor, usually only managing two other staff but I suppose thats something I could talk about if they ask about leadership.

As for solving a difficult problem....its a petrol station, not exactly the most challenging of jobs. Dealing with difficult customers would probably be the height of it.

There ya go top marks for both, you have to manage people, you have to deal with people aggrived etc, make a scanario up if needed, responsibilities would be cashing up making sure the tills ballance at the end of the shift for you and the staff working under you.

King Ludvig

Cheers man, thats actually quite helpful! Yeah counting tills, making and receiving orders from suppliers, being a 'keyholder' etc are all things I could talk myself up on! Not huge levels of responsibility compared to other jobs but still!

I was reading over the first few pages of this thread earlier ZoneAlarm, back when you were going for the initial interview yourself. How did you get on in the end?

ZoneAlarm

Not a problem at all, just keep calm and eye contact while speaking to them, you will be fine responsibilities come in many guises, you have one use it to your advantage, keeping staff happy and punters is a big plus, its showing you have the ability to deal with things, plus you have your weekly or monthly meeting with your supervisor/ manager to discuss various aspects of your job, just think of it as you doing that at the interview.

King Ludvig

Guess who gets to fill out the BR Form? Thanks for the well wishes and advice (Eroo, Kerry4sam and ZoneAlarm in particular ). I got the letter saying I was successful only 3 days after the interview!! That must be record time!

LaurzH27

King Ludvig wrote: »

Guess who gets to fill out the BR Form? Thanks for the well wishes and advice (Eroo, Kerry4sam and ZoneAlarm in particular ). I got the letter saying I was successful only 3 days after the interview!! That must be record time!

Where was your interview!? I'd mine a week ago and still no news:-(

King Ludvig

Mine was in Dublin City Centre. Your letter is probably on it's way, apparently it usually takes 7-10 working days to hear back. Not sure why mine was so quick but I was sure it was bad news!

LaurzH27

I really hope so!!! Congrats to you :-)

King Ludvig

Cheers, hope its good news for you too!

LaurzH27

King Ludvig wrote: »

Cheers, hope its good news for you too!

Got my letter today Phew :-)

kerry4sam

LaurzH27 wrote: »

Got my letter today Phew :-)

Good news I take it?

LaurzH27

kerry4sam wrote: »

LaurzH27 wrote: »

Got my letter today Phew :-)

Good news I take it?

Good news indeed!! BR form here I come

EimearM1

I applied for my interview about 3 weeks ago now , still waiting , in the meantime does anyone have any advice for me , i think i have the volunteer work and my reason for wanting to join the garda reserves covered im just struggling a bit on past experience and challenges iv faced , i had a baby quite young at the age of 16 but and i worked in a fast food rest restaurant straight beside a night club my usual shift would be 7.30 evening to 4.30am , i just dont no what kind of challenges i could say iv overcome . :S help

daedalus177

Hi,

I have applied recently for the Garda Reserve, I was looking to find out on avergae how long do people wait between applying and getting called for an interview? its about 3/4 weeks since i applied.

A.G.S

daedalus177 wrote: »

Hi,

I have applied recently for the Garda Reserve, I was looking to find out on avergae how long do people wait between applying and getting called for an interview? its about 3/4 weeks since i applied.

I don't think there will be interviews for the Garda reserve anytime soon, They have a huge waiting list of candidates waiting on the background checks to be completed so they can do medicals and move onto training. I think the main concern at the moment is to clear this backlog of candidates who have been waiting long, I done my interview in January 2011 and met with my superintendent in December 2011, and I'm still waiting to be called for medical, so be prepared it is a very long process! I would ring public jobs and ask if their is any interviews planned.

daedalus177

Thanks for the info, I had no idea there such a back log. Im prepared for a long wait however, I think I'll get in touch with PAS in the coming weeks and ask about any up coming interviews.

A.G.S

daedalus177 wrote: »

Thanks for the info, I had no idea there such a back log. Im prepared for a long wait however, I think I'll get in touch with PAS in the coming weeks and ask about any up coming interviews.

Yes do get in touch with them! Yes there is a huge back log seems everyone and their mums wants to join the Garda reserve these days either to get experience for when the full time recruitment starts or their just nosey

daedalus177

Haha, i dont know about being nosey, but im really looking for a change, Ive spoken to several local full time Gardai and sergeants about it, its something i hope to get involved in.

markpq

Hi guys, just recently joined this site bear with me.

I received my letter from the Garda Reserve to attend an interview next Tuesday. Feeling OK about it the only thing is I haven't got much to say about being involved in my community. I've fund raised for events at work but that's it, just looking for some advice. Cheers

Tyron Jara

markpq wrote: »

Hi guys, just recently joined this site bear with me.

I received my letter from the Garda Reserve to attend an interview next Tuesday. Feeling OK about it the only thing is I haven't got much to say about being involved in my community. I've fund raised for events at work but that's it, just looking for some advice. Cheers

Talk about the fund raising events then. Also it can be anything youve done for someone else...cutting a neighbors lawn for instance.

WilcoOut

markpq wrote: »

. Feeling OK about it the only thing is I haven't got much to say about being involved in my community.

community involvement can be anything

have you ever played for a local sports club? did they ever organise sports days/open days/feiles in which you helped out?

scouts, youth clubs, community clean up days - anything of that sort

have you ever helped out and visited elderly neighbors, picked up a few messages for em?

its all relevant and it all adds up

you want to demonstrate to the interview panel that your not a me feinner and that you realise that there are more people in this world than just you and that you can give without needing or seeking reward

rookie1470

Hi folks,

Got my letter for exam and interview in Athlone next Wednesday. Just wondering if anyone has done the exam and interview lately and has anything changed from previous comments??
Also what did most of Ye wear to interview?? Shirt & tie ???
Cheers

msg11

rookie1470 wrote: »

Hi folks,

Got my letter for exam and interview in Athlone next Wednesday. Just wondering if anyone has done the exam and interview lately and has anything changed from previous comments??
Also what did most of Ye wear to interview?? Shirt & tie ???
Cheers

Has not changed at all really. Dress to impress suit if you can, but slacks, shoes, shirt and tie.

rookie1470

@msg11, cheers for that!

scoobydave

Hi guys,
I applied for the GR 8 months ago,and received my letter last Wednesday that my interview is this Thursday in athlone.I'm nervous like everyone would be and to be honest its actually my first real interview as I've been working on the building sites for 10 years.as for voluntary work all I have is been chairman off a supporters club.im hoping its enough,any tips for on the day would be highly appreciated.

rookie1470

@scoobydave, have a look at this thread from the beginning. There are very good tips within and as per my question things havnt changed in the 6 years. My exam & interview is tomorrow in athlone so if I come across anything different I will post it here. Best of luck

scoobydave

rookie1470 wrote: »

@scoobydave, have a look at this thread from the beginning. There are very good tips within and as per my question things havnt changed in the 6 years. My exam & interview is tomorrow in athlone so if I come across anything different I will post it here. Best of luck

best of luck mate,hope all goes well for you.PM me tomorrow and let me know how you get on.had a good look through the threads and it has put my mind at ease.

Canyon86

Hi lads/ladies,

I went for the interview today and the report.

im happy enough with myself.. answered everything to my best

Wish you all the best of luck..

Worth putting the effort in