IFS NCI apprenticeship interview 14/06/16

vg88

So to the about 300 who went today (and the couple of us talking about the lack of discussion on boards.ie) how did people get on with the interviews for the level 6, 8 and 9 courses today?

happyguy91

Hey, it was a strange experience...90 seconds to sell yourself basically and then those 3 or 4 questions...it's very hard to gauge how it went. I went for the Specialist Apprenticeship, so the level 8...how did you get on?

vg88

thought i did well but i dunno till we get the call back. Was it the end of july they said?

happyguy91

moloner4 wrote: »

thought i did well but i dunno till we get the call back. Was it the end of july they said?

Yeah end of July, so a bit of a long wait 😖

Daveharold

What kind of questions did they ask. I've got my interview/pitch next week.

vg88

they ask for a 90 second pitch and then they asked 3 others questions

YellowLead

I am attending for assessment on Wednesday evening. Apart from the pitch/questions what else happens between 2 and 5? Chatting with other applicants and NCI staff? Is the panel made up of NCI staff and recruiters? Also, does anyone know if we need to have decided in advance whether to go for the Data Analytics or Fintech qualification, or is that determined for you based on your experience/qualifications? Any further information would be greatly appreciated!

ryans30

Can only imagine the questions are in relation to the presentation you give, or are there any sort of technical questions asked? what sort of level of candidates were at the event?

YellowLead

Do we need to bring our academic transcripts and CV? I probably will anyway, just in case.

ryans30

you've to bring a transcript anyway. CV has to have been submitted with the original application, so I doubt it is a requirement but probably wise to bring along just incase.

YellowLead

By virtue of the fact we have been accepted to attend tomorrow's session, does that mean our academic qualifications and experience are sufficient and we just have to elaborate so they can choose the most suitable among us? Or did they invite everybody who applied?

ryans30

I can only imagine there was some form of screening, 100 spots per associate, specialist and advanced specialist roles.

Given that they've already done an assessment day, there might have been a high acceptance rate for this stage.

YellowLead

Do you have any idea how many out of the 100 per level will get selected? The information available is fairly minimal, but I guess we will know more tomorrow afternoon. I had thought that maybe because they re advertised the apprenticeships past the original closing deadline that perhaps there was not enough interest the first time around.

Hoochel

I went to the first assessment centre and was told there is only approx 20 available places at adv. specialist level and would I like to be included in just the specialist level if not successful in getting adv specialist place.

ryans30

I only applied on the 8th itself and didn't realize it was advertised again - I would have similar thoughts though about reopening.

Have absolutely no idea about how many positions are available per level - would naturally assume more are available for associate than specialist etc. just based on the cost of employment.

ryans30

Actually, I recall a press release stating they hope to offer 220 positions in 2016, and 1,000 by 2020.

given that 20 are for the advanced specialist the other 200 are for the specialist and associate roles, probably with something like a 60/40 split - don't see them being 100 positions each

YellowLead

Hoochel wrote: »

I went to the first assessment centre and was told there is only approx 20 available places at adv. specialist level and would I like to be included in just the specialist level if not successful in getting adv specialist place.

Have you heard back yet about whether you have been successful - I don't need to know what the outcome was, just wondering what the time frame is.

YellowLead

ryans30 wrote: »

Actually, I recall a press release stating they hope to offer 220 positions in 2016, and 1,000 by 2020.

given that 20 are for the advanced specialist the other 200 are for the specialist and associate roles, probably with something like a 60/40 split - don't see them being 100 positions each

Yes you are probably correct. I applied for the Specialist role, I wonder if it would have been possible to apply for two levels to maximise chances, but I didn't.

Hoochel

Nothing yet but was advised it will be mid to end of July, I'm praying everyday since!

YellowLead

Well, the very best of luck with it! I wonder will we all hear at the same time, or will those of us going tomorrow hear later again. When you were at the centre, were you given a specific time to go and make your pitch when you arrived, or did they call names out with everybody waiting?

ryans30

So that was a lot different than my expectations, not very well organsoed, what appeared to be low numbers and not a very ideal wayvof creating a shortlist based on 4 minutes of trying to cram as much in as possible.

YellowLead

I agree. And I took a precious half day off work to attend. There were no opportunities for candidates to ask questions which was ridiculous. And then will will be another month to 6 weeks before we hear anything. I guess it all comes down to the calibre of the other candidates and how good their pitches came across to the one person they each met with.

YellowLead

I also have a feeling that they will give preference towards current nci students, of whom there seemed to be quote a number in attendance. I hate to be a moaner and I do realise if I don't get through its all down to my experience and pitch not being up to scratch.

Hoochel

I was at the first session in June and also thought it was very badly organised. The guidelines issued for the day were not actually what happened I was very thrown when I went out to give a pitch to one person when I was expecting to give it to more.
Why do u think they would give preference to NCI students?

ryans30

Completely agree with you. Can't say I had a "pitch" prepared, I think that all kind of goes out the window when there's a bell ringing in the lobby of a college in the background. Don't think they're getting the response to it they thought they might have, given there was this day held and numbers seemed low, also don't know how worthwhile it is given that the employers have the final say. Hope it isn't a reflection of the two years.

Wasn't too impressed overall anyway, but would still be decent, best of luck though.

ryans30

There was specific reference and acknowledgement to people who currently study at NCI or have done

YellowLead

There was indeed a specific reference made. Also, as far as I am aware the people listening to the pitches were a mixture of academic and administration staff of NCI, who might know the NCI students they were interviewing. Also, it looks good for the colleges reputation if their own students progress and get opportunities, so there could be a tendency towards bias. Having said that, it might not be the case at all. It would be a fantastic apprenticeship to get - to be able to study while working in a related filed can be a rare find. I went for the specialist level - which was probably the most popular. I saw very few people today who looked like they were school leavers who were applying for the entry level, anyone I talked to was going for the same as me. It will be a long wait until we find out - the middle or end of August. For those of us currently in employment with a month's notice to give, I'm not sure how that is going to pan out depending on the date in September the course start date is. I wonder at the next session if we are successful, do we get to meet with just one company, or several?

ryans30

Yeah, timing would be a big factor. Would nearly have to declare myself unavailable without the one months notice period - especially considering I may start other things with my current employer. I read it was recruiters we met, which was different from the info provided today, so who knows, companies might just take their pick from the short list.

Hoochel

The whole thing was very misleading I actually gave my pitch to Carol, the lady from FSI who issued the invitation and spoke at the assessment centre briefing.
You guys are right about time ticking by in relation to a course starting in Septmeber given that it was announced last January you would think progress would have been swifter to allow time for candidates to prepare for job moves and possible relocation to Dublin.
Did any of you get a good feeling from the person you pitched to or were they just like ok say your thing and go? I spent the whole weekend and day leading up to it creating a PowerPoint presentation, practising and fretting over it only to leave with the feeling that was a load of...

YellowLead

Hoochel wrote: »

The whole thing was very misleading I actually gave my pitch to Carol, the lady from FSI who issued the invitation and spoke at the assessment centre briefing.
You guys are right about time ticking by in relation to a course starting in Septmeber given that it was announced last January you would think progress would have been swifter to allow time for candidates to prepare for job moves and possible relocation to Dublin.
Did any of you get a good feeling from the person you pitched to or were they just like ok say your thing and go? I spent the whole weekend and day leading up to it creating a PowerPoint presentation, practising and fretting over it only to leave with the feeling that was a load of...

It was a bit say your piece and get out of my hair! He was perfectly polite and wished me luck but gave no real indication as to whether he was listening properly or not. I think I pitched well so I don't feel I let myself down which is the main thing. Definitely naive of them regarding timing.

YellowLead

Also, if you look up the MSc in Fintech which is one of the courses on offer for the Advanced Specialist level, it warns that it is currently in development and not yet accredited, which is possibly why today they were keen to enforce the fact that most companies were more attracted to the entry and mid level positions.

ryans30

just trying to get an idea of timing here, has anyone heard anything that he'd been told they'd be in contact by the end of July?

denjaa89

I have still not heard anything back from them. Kinda interesting now to get the feedback on the 90 seconds interview

Hoochel

I was in the first assessment in June and still have not heard anything, hopefully this week we will hear something

denjaa89

I assume nobody still have been contacted regarding the result of either being accepted or not?

vg88

Nope nothing

happyguy91

Hi guys, my elevator pitch was back in May. Got an email this morning advising I've been shortlisted for screening and interviews with the companys which will commence in Autumn 2016 (date tbc). Email advises that chosen candidates will commence the apprenticeship in Quarter 1 2017.

Best of luck

vg88

happyguy91 wrote: »

Hi guys, my elevator pitch was back in May. Got an email this morning advising I've been shortlisted for screening and interviews with the companys which will commence in Autumn 2016 (date tbc). Email advises that chosen candidates will commence the apprenticeship in Quarter 1 2017.

Best of luck

Thanks for the update, had mine on the 14th of june. How long did they take to get back?

YellowLead

I also got an email today informing me the same as happyguy91, my pitch was part of the July session. I'm really pleased as I had no idea how I had performed. Best of luck to all.

ryans30

I think the real screening will be with the employers, to be honest.

YellowLead

ryans30 wrote: »

I think the real screening will be with the employers, to be honest.

Definitely. But it's good to get the opportunity to be screened, whatever format that will take. Does anyone know if it is going to be a similar format to the pitches to NCI?

ryans30

Ah it is of course, yes. I don't really know what approach will be taken for employer screening, they might choose certain people from the short list to meet perhaps? Who knows, can only imagine we will be briefed in due course.

Hoochel

I've just got an email now confirming progression to next stage of advanced specialist,

Nuttzz

ryans30 wrote: »

Ah it is of course, yes. I don't really know what approach will be taken for employer screening, they might choose certain people from the short list to meet perhaps? Who knows, can only imagine we will be briefed in due course.

I would reckon you'd be looking at a proper interview at this level, you are going to work for them for 2 years at least. I can imagine it will be pretty competitive at the next stage

YellowLead

Nuttzz wrote: »

I would reckon you'd be looking at a proper interview at this level, you are going to work for them for 2 years at least. I can imagine it will be pretty competitive at the next stage

I have a feeling it wont be straight into interviews with companies. I remember they said something about speed dating with employers so perhaps they will give us all a few minutes with a selection of companies and we move on to the next when the bell is rang. Then based on that the companies select who they want to interview. Although that seems like a bit of a waste of time so companies might not be up for that. I imagine finding a time that suits them all to congregate would be very difficult. I wonder why it was pushed forward until Jan 17, originally it was due to commence in Sept 16. Perhaps they have not secured enough companies to take the numer of candidates the government have proposed funding. It would be great if they told us what will happen at the next stage now so we can prepare, perhaps they have not yet figured it out that far themselves.

Trixie777

I got my e-mail also to say I am on the shortlist but I am disappointed it will not happen until quarter 1 2017 as I was expecting if for September. It was a little bit vague as it's said the next phase of the process is Autumn. Technically it's Autumn now, but it could also be the end of October before we hear anything. Did anyone get more information as I am really hoping for this?

vg88

Still heard nothing, anyone who didn't get it get a rejection email?

YellowLead

Trixie777 wrote: »

I got my e-mail also to say I am on the shortlist but I am disappointed it will not happen until quarter 1 2017 as I was expecting if for September. It was a little bit vague as it's said the next phase of the process is Autumn. Technically it's Autumn now, but it could also be the end of October before we hear anything. Did anyone get more information as I am really hoping for this?

I would say the reason it is a it vague is because the details have not been arranged yet. I would also hazard a guess that they have moved the date of commencement forward because they are having difficulties getting enough companies on board to take the number of apprentices they got approval for funding for. All we can do it wait for the next email - unless anybody who attends/attended NCI has insider information.

YellowLead

moloner4 wrote: »

Still heard nothing, anyone who didn't get it get a rejection email?

Have you tried getting in touch?

EriT

Got the email to say I'm into the next round for advanced specialist , I also got an email to say I'm into the next level for the specialist level for which I have no interest in . But sure will see what happens next. Very unorganised surly 99% of it should have been set up before taking applications

denjaa89

EriT wrote: »

Got the email to say I'm into the next round for advanced specialist , I also got an email to say I'm into the next level for the specialist level for which I have no interest in . But sure will see what happens next. Very unorganised surly 99% of it should have been set up before taking applications

I have also received the two confirmation even though I did not apply for the Specialist Level. Also tried to contact them regarding how the next stage is going to be organised and did not get any response back. Assuming the earliest anyone will hear from them would be end of October or start of November.