Temp Clerical Officers in Civil Service

brokenhinge · 20-05-2011 11:43am

Just got called and offered a 13 week post in Dublin, was worried about when/if I would!

Delighted-very handy, accepted immediately..

Fince · 20-05-2011 11:53am

pow wow wrote: »

You should get between 4 and 5 days annual leave for a 10 week contract (based on a standard 20 days annually). You should be able to bump this up with flexi days etc. so assuming they can spare you for the week you're entitled to it. The department I interviewed for don't allow any holiday periods over 2 days for the temporary staff, as in you couldn't take more than 2 days together at a time because the whole point of having the temporary staff is to cover a busy period in the office.

I was a TCO last year and one of the other TCO's was able to take a week off, using 3 or 4 days of holiday leave and making up the difference with flexi time. He might have had to take an unpaid day as well.

Just depends on the manager in the particular office you're in.

Fince · 20-05-2011 12:02pm

oisim wrote: »

Hi, Can anyone help me please...

I have a interview in Dublin for the Tempory Clerical Officer Position in the General Regions.

Can anyone tell me what they may ask in the interview???

as i am very nervous,

Thank you

As newballsplease said, they'll focus mainly on the 3 areas outlined on the application form.

They talk through your education and employment details briefly first, picking up on any points they find interesting or want clarification on.

When they're finished with that they will take about the three areas, Personal Organisation, People Skills and Commitment and Flexibility. They'll ask you for very specific examples. What I did was prepared two examples for each of the three points (how I had experience of these things in previous jobs and roles) and made sure I talked about them. This was a huge help as it can be hard to think of examples when your under pressure if you haven't thought about it beforehand.

If you have anything out of the ordinary on your application they're likely to ask about it (probably to break up the monotony for themselves).
For example, I've done some refereeing, and they asked me for a particular example when i had to deal with an irate player/coach.

They have to conduct all the interviews in a similar manner in the name of transparency so I'd be confident this would be the basic outline of everyone's interview.

Best of luck with it.

Fince · 20-05-2011 12:04pm

donalg1 wrote: »

No i dont think there is any way of finding that out if its not stated on any correspondence, the building the interview is in should give you a clue, i assume its the Civil Service and not Local Government or do you know. All aspects of the Civil Service will have their own websites where you could pull a lot of info from

The building the interview is in isn't an indication of the job. I was interviewed in Revenue office last year, the job was in the Passport office.

Fince · 20-05-2011 12:07pm

Has anyone been interviewed and not got an email saying they were successful at interview? or not gotten one at all? I had my interview 2 weeks ago today and haven't heard anything back.

for people who got emails saying they were successful, how long after the interview was it?

V480 · 20-05-2011 12:10pm

In case any former TCO's are wondering why they didn't get selected this time around, apparently it was sort of an unofficial policy this year that they would only pick people who have never worked in the Civil Service.

donalg1 · 20-05-2011 12:18pm

Fince wrote: »

The building the interview is in isn't an indication of the job. I was interviewed in Revenue office last year, the job was in the Passport office.

Well maybe its permanent positions that interviews are held in the relevant building once you are there on a temporary position

Fince · 20-05-2011 12:54pm

V480 wrote: »

In case any former TCO's are wondering why they didn't get selected this time around, apparently it was sort of an unofficial policy this year that they would only pick people who have never worked in the Civil Service.

Is that definite? And in all regions?

Monife · 20-05-2011 12:58pm

V480 wrote: »

In case any former TCO's are wondering why they didn't get selected this time around, apparently it was sort of an unofficial policy this year that they would only pick people who have never worked in the Civil Service.

Where did you hear that? Don't think it is true, a girl I work with worked as a TCO in social welfare and left there a couple weeks before her contract was to end to take up the job here as a TCO in the CSO in Swords.

sjms · 20-05-2011 2:08pm

I am feeling a bit weary now! I had my interview two weeks ago now... I was successful at interview but i have heard nothing? I'm presuming that they do it in dribs and drabs?! Would love to hear back soon!

anybody else in the same boat?

ciaramc · 20-05-2011 4:56pm

sjms wrote: »

I am feeling a bit weary now! I had my interview two weeks ago now... I was successful at interview but i have heard nothing? I'm presuming that they do it in dribs and drabs?! Would love to hear back soon! anybody else in the same boat?

As am I. I really wanted this job. I applied for the Donegal area and was told I was in the top band for the area. I havent heard anything yet. Getting worried now.

Does anyone think there will be more people called?

sjms · 20-05-2011 6:23pm

ciaramc wrote: »

Does anyone think there will be more people called?

I hope so! But I am sure they will be. I read stuff about the passport office again today so hopefully that will mean a couple more jobs out there?!

pow wow · 20-05-2011 8:05pm

Fince wrote: »

I was a TCO last year and one of the other TCO's was able to take a week off, using 3 or 4 days of holiday leave and making up the difference with flexi time. He might have had to take an unpaid day as well.

Just depends on the manager in the particular office you're in.

Like I said, it's only the department I was interviewing for this time that had that restriction. However ultimately when you're allowed to take your holidays is discretionary in any job so it's not totally unreasonable to have that rule.

V480 wrote: »

In case any former TCO's are wondering why they didn't get selected this time around, apparently it was sort of an unofficial policy this year that they would only pick people who have never worked in the Civil Service.

That would be a bit of a poopy policy wouldn't it? I know people who are in on their 4th and 5th TCO contracts this time round

oisim · 21-05-2011 1:48pm

Hi, thank you for your reply.

i have a problem i applied online so don't have a application form so not sure what you mean by the 3 core areas on the back??

can you help me and if you know what they are?

Thank you again

skitzyspider · 21-05-2011 6:28pm

Monife,

Im starting in the CSO Swords this Monday at 10am...I was just wondering is there much staff parking as Im driving to work and don't want to be stuck looking for a parking space and be late on my first day:o

Thanks in advance:D

Monife · 21-05-2011 7:56pm

skitzyspider wrote: »

Monife,

Im starting in the CSO Swords this Monday at 10am...I was just wondering is there much staff parking as Im driving to work and don't want to be stuck looking for a parking space and be late on my first day:o

Thanks in advance:D

Did someone in the CSO not tell you the situation with parking? Well there is a lot of parking but it has been reserved for the people who have been there longer (well since before Christmas, so I have a space thank god). The people who have come in after, the CSO has rented parking spaces in the Europa Academy for them but you need a swipe card. I don't know if they are going to do that with the new lot of people as spaces are limited there too.

I'd say come in a bit earlier and park in the visitors spot, just on the left beside the smoking shelter and then ask whoever is inducting you what the crack is with parking. If you can't park in the visitors spot, then just park anywhere that has CSO written on the parking space and then let the person inducting you know that you have parked there, not everyone is in all the time, with the amount of people working here now, there is bound to be someone on holidays or sick so you should be ok.

Fince · 21-05-2011 8:16pm

oisim wrote: »

Hi, thank you for your reply.

i have a problem i applied online so don't have a application form so not sure what you mean by the 3 core areas on the back??

can you help me and if you know what they are?

Thank you again

When you were told you were getting an interview you should have been given a link to a form that you have to fill out for the day of the interview? It has spaces for employment details, education details, etc. at the end (just above where you sign) it lists three areas they'll focus on.

This is what it says.

"The interview will focus on your work and education particularly in relation the following three areas:

Personal Organisation
It is necessary for Clerical Officers to organise and prioritise their work effectively. This may involve identifying what needs to be done and taking responsibility for ensuring that the work is completed to a high standard and in accordance with the time frame identified. Effective Clerical Officers must ensure that they pay attention to detail, even when completing routine/repetitive tasks and always manage their own time efficiently.

People Skills
A Clerical Officer has to work well with a wide range of people from different backgrounds. These may include members of the public and other members of the team who will be relying on them to produce good quality work. It is important that a Clerical Officer can listen and understand other people’s viewpoints and can deal with people in a helpful and courteous manner. Effective Clerical Officers will clarify information when required and know when to seek help from others. They also need to be able to communicate orally in a clear and concise manner.

Commitment and Flexibility
Clerical Officers need to be flexible in their approach to work and be willing to learn new tasks and adapt quickly to new ways of doing things. Effective Clerical Officers will be open and receptive to new information and able to deal with changing demands and different situations/ circumstances. An effective Clerical Officer will use their initiative in suggesting improvements and through their personal commitment and enthusiasm ensure that they follow through on tasks assigned. They will be reliable and dependable and be able to press on with their work without taking too much of their supervisor’s time. "

oisim · 21-05-2011 8:49pm

Thank you very much Fince,

Interview on Wednesday... Fingers crossed...sooo nervous!!

Fince wrote: »

When you were told you were getting an interview you should have been given a link to a form that you have to fill out for the day of the interview? It has spaces for employment details, education details, etc. at the end (just above where you sign) it lists three areas they'll focus on.

This is what it says.

"The interview will focus on your work and education particularly in relation the following three areas:

Personal Organisation
It is necessary for Clerical Officers to organise and prioritise their work effectively. This may involve identifying what needs to be done and taking responsibility for ensuring that the work is completed to a high standard and in accordance with the time frame identified. Effective Clerical Officers must ensure that they pay attention to detail, even when completing routine/repetitive tasks and always manage their own time efficiently.

People Skills
A Clerical Officer has to work well with a wide range of people from different backgrounds. These may include members of the public and other members of the team who will be relying on them to produce good quality work. It is important that a Clerical Officer can listen and understand other people’s viewpoints and can deal with people in a helpful and courteous manner. Effective Clerical Officers will clarify information when required and know when to seek help from others. They also need to be able to communicate orally in a clear and concise manner.

Commitment and Flexibility
Clerical Officers need to be flexible in their approach to work and be willing to learn new tasks and adapt quickly to new ways of doing things. Effective Clerical Officers will be open and receptive to new information and able to deal with changing demands and different situations/ circumstances. An effective Clerical Officer will use their initiative in suggesting improvements and through their personal commitment and enthusiasm ensure that they follow through on tasks assigned. They will be reliable and dependable and be able to press on with their work without taking too much of their supervisor’s time. "

thebigmc · 24-05-2011 12:48pm

Nice one, got the offer for a ten week contract in Dublin over the phone today, happy days

Scrummage · 24-05-2011 2:11pm

Has anyone received an offer for the Clare or limerick regions? Most post seem to be for Cork or Dublin. Just wondering?

steph1 · 24-05-2011 4:56pm

I got an email back in March saying I was top in the Mayo region yet not a word back since re an interview. It definitely is by email that they contact you is it? I have checked through all my mails and nothing since!

Scrummage · 24-05-2011 9:13pm

steph1 wrote: »

I got an email back in March saying I was top in the Mayo region yet not a word back since re an interview. It definitely is by email that they contact you is it? I have checked through all my mails and nothing since!

Yep they send an email to you with an interview location and time. IF you pass the interview you go on to a panel for any vacancies that arise.

dotsflan · 25-05-2011 10:11am

I got a phone call today from dublin for an interview tommorrow. Its for the laois/offaly area and i was wondering is that normal? last time my sister worked in this region she had the interview in offaly rather than going to dublin? I wasnt in the top band either but the second group so theres still hope for people!!

Mimojo · 25-05-2011 4:35pm

I got a call yesterday from TCO, I had received an email about an interview for today. I had found another longer term role in the meantime so did not confirm my attendance. She called me yesterday to see if I was attending, I got the impression that they were experiencing cancellations and no shows and were now ringing around to confirm attendance and offer interviews to others where they had cancellations. I think it is ridiculous that the vast majority of interviews appear to be scheduled for Dublin for everyone from all areas. Last year there were certainly regional interview locations. I think that if they are getting cancellations in Dublin they are trying to fill them with people from all over to get through people.

Mr Simpson · 25-05-2011 5:44pm

V480 wrote: »

In case any former TCO's are wondering why they didn't get selected this time around, apparently it was sort of an unofficial policy this year that they would only pick people who have never worked in the Civil Service.

I haven't heard that, out of the 8 that started with me, 5 have worked as TCO's

She Devil · 26-05-2011 10:31am

I had my interview on Tuesday, it seemed to go well, they seemed happy! They were saying they have 240 interviews this week?! :eek:
How long does it take for them to give you a yay or nay, I've an interview for a full time position in the private sector tomorrow, so hopefully one will be successful.

steph1 · 26-05-2011 4:54pm

I sent an email the other day and got a reply from them saying that they had conducted interviews for available vacancies in my area (Mayo) and that they hoped to have more interviews in May and I would be contacted if my name came up for interview. Think its a bit of a lottery if you are called or not. Anyway good luck to all who have been called for interviews!

gazzer · 26-05-2011 5:31pm

Mimojo wrote: »

I got a call yesterday from TCO, I had received an email about an interview for today. I had found another longer term role in the meantime so did not confirm my attendance. She called me yesterday to see if I was attending, I got the impression that they were experiencing cancellations and no shows and were now ringing around to confirm attendance and offer interviews to others where they had cancellations. I think it is ridiculous that the vast majority of interviews appear to be scheduled for Dublin for everyone from all areas. Last year there were certainly regional interview locations. I think that if they are getting cancellations in Dublin they are trying to fill them with people from all over to get through people.

I think it may be due to the fact that budgets have been decimated in the CS and therefore there is no money available to get CS staff to travel from Dublin to regional locations (travel costs, accomodation etc) to conduct the interviews so they are instead they are trying to have most of the interviews in the one place. I know in the department I work in there has been a stop put on staff travelling to the head office in Dublin by car. Its public transport that can only be used.

sjms · 26-05-2011 8:00pm

Got a call yesterday! start in the social welfare office on the 7th of June! yaaay!

Scrummage · 26-05-2011 8:05pm

sjms wrote: »

Got a call yesterday! start in the social welfare office on the 7th of June! yaaay!

Congrats! I was successfull at interview 2 weeks ago and have fingers crossed I get a call soon.

sjms · 26-05-2011 8:07pm

Scrummage wrote: »

Congrats! I was successfull at interview 2 weeks ago and have fingers crossed I get a call soon.

thanks! yeah! i think you will soon enough! fingers crossed for you!

apparently I will earn more because it's in the social welfare office?? strange?! Anyone have any info on this?

eastbono · 26-05-2011 9:01pm

You will earn the same as any tco... but if your in social welfare you will earn this money. But is is very rewarding and the day flies.

sjms · 26-05-2011 9:23pm

eastbono wrote: »

You will earn the same as any tco... but if your in social welfare you will earn this money. But is is very rewarding and the day flies.

Thanks! I am really excited to start now!

paraguay99 · 27-05-2011 1:22am

im starting in the revenue office in june. what will the job entail? would i be dealing with the public?

She Devil · 27-05-2011 10:11am

What regions did you get your jobs in guys?

sjms · 27-05-2011 11:38am

She Devil wrote: »

What regions did you get your jobs in guys?

Mine is in Dublin...

She Devil · 31-05-2011 9:39am

I got the email yesterday to say I was successful at the interview, fingers crossed now for a position soon!

:)

dotsflan · 31-05-2011 10:27am

She Devil wrote: »

I got the email yesterday to say I was successful at the interview, fingers crossed now for a position soon! :)

got the same yesterday!!

sjms · 31-05-2011 2:42pm

I got my contract today for my TCO role. It says that I have to report to Oisin House, Pearse Street with the following:

Birth Certificate
Bank Details
Passport
PPs Number
Passport Photo and;
P45

The thing is I have a part time job at the weekends and I definitely do not want to give it up for the sake of 8 weeks work. Is this OK to keep going? Or will the expect me to give up this job in order to obtain a P45? I don't get much money from the part time job, roughly the amount of the dole - something I do not want to go on!

I have never been on the dole before and I would much rather be working 7 days a week for 8 weeks than to finish the 8 weeks and have nothing to do?

Does anybody have any advice/information regarding this?

Thanks

She Devil · 01-06-2011 12:26am

dotsflan wrote: »

got the same yesterday!!

Yay, keep me posted when you hear anything, as will I you!

jojo123jo · 01-06-2011 2:10am

She Devil wrote: »

I had my interview on Tuesday, it seemed to go well, they seemed happy! They were saying they have 240 interviews this week?! :eek:
How long does it take for them to give you a yay or nay, I've an interview for a full time position in the private sector tomorrow, so hopefully one will be successful.

Wish you the best of luck:)

Denerick · 01-06-2011 10:38am

sjms wrote: »

I got my contract today for my TCO role. It says that I have to report to Oisin House, Pearse Street with the following:
Birth Certificate

Bank Details

Passport

PPs Number

Passport Photo and;

P45

The thing is I have a part time job at the weekends and I definitely do not want to give it up for the sake of 8 weeks work. Is this OK to keep going? Or will the expect me to give up this job in order to obtain a P45? I don't get much money from the part time job, roughly the amount of the dole - something I do not want to go on!

I have never been on the dole before and I would much rather be working 7 days a week for 8 weeks than to finish the 8 weeks and have nothing to do?

Does anybody have any advice/information regarding this?

Thanks

The working time act states that you cannot work more than 48 hours per week. So if you're doing 39 for the civil service and then 15 for your part time job you're breaking the law. Speak to the civil service guys and your part time boss to make sure you stay within the boundries of the law. Employers are at fault if you run over 48 per week.

Monife · 01-06-2011 4:56pm

Denerick wrote: »

The working time act states that you cannot work more than 48 hours per week. So if you're doing 39 for the civil service and then 15 for your part time job you're breaking the law. Speak to the civil service guys and your part time boss to make sure you stay within the boundries of the law. Employers are at fault if you run over 48 per week.

If he is on flexi time, he will probably do a 7 hour day with 30 minute lunch (or longer if you want to eat into your time). That's a 35 hour week. So it is possible you could work 13 hours in your other job. You have to sign something to say if you have a 2nd job aswell when you start.

oisim · 03-06-2011 1:33pm

Hi,

Got a call today offering me a position in Longford which i am delighted about, but the thing is i live in Athlone and would love a position In Athlone, does anyone know who i can contact??

I was speaking to a lovely lady in Longford and she told me to contact PALS the group that conducted the interviews, that there should be positions available in Athlone, now she didn 't have a number for them and i can't find anything under pals!!!

If anyone can help...

Thank you

Monife · 03-06-2011 3:25pm

oisim wrote: »

Hi,

Got a call today offering me a position in Longford which i am delighted about, but the thing is i live in Athlone and would love a position In Athlone, does anyone know who i can contact??

I was speaking to a lovely lady in Longford and she told me to contact PALS the group that conducted the interviews, that there should be positions available in Athlone, now she didn 't have a number for them and i can't find anything under pals!!!

If anyone can help...

Thank you

I think she meant PAS, the Public Appointments Service.

Orlagh123 · 07-06-2011 5:35pm

Anyone heard anything recently about the jobs, in the Mayo region maybe, or anyone on the reserve panel hear anything back?!

leinsterlad11 · 11-06-2011 2:30pm

went for an interview three weeks ago and was offered 13weeks in the revenue office in kilkenny. anyone any ideas on the dress code?

pow wow · 11-06-2011 9:09pm

Pretty casual. More casual than 'business casual' but not boardshorts and a t-shirt. Most people wear jeans/t-shirt etc. For the first day I'd make a bit more of an effort (not suit territory but something a little smarter) and then once you're comfy after the first day just go with the flow.

brokenhinge · 11-06-2011 9:37pm

leinsterlad11 wrote: »

went for an interview three weeks ago and was offered 13weeks in the revenue office in kilkenny. anyone any ideas on the dress code?

Depends. Mine's dressy enough-shirt & tie everyday because I'm dealing with the public at times. I've worked in a different department before and it was very very casual. I'd wear shirt, tie, black slacks & black shoes the first day to be sure.

leinsterlad11 · 12-06-2011 9:25pm

thanks guys. think i better go with the shirt and tie just to be safe

Temp Clerical Officers in Civil Service

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