Executive Officer Campaign 2016

andsoitshould9

Just wondering the next steps in the assesment? How long does it take? If you work in Dublin would it only be a matter of taking a few hours off? Delighted to have got through. 764..... will I be called soon as in weeks or a month? Anyone thats familiar with this process might let me know?

Mammyoh

Does anyone know what the story is for those who also applied for the proficiency in Irish part?

FloatingVoter

andsoitshould9 wrote: »

Just wondering the next steps in the assesment? How long does it take? If you work in Dublin would it only be a matter of taking a few hours off? Delighted to have got through. 764..... will I be called soon as in weeks or a month? Anyone thats familiar with this process might let me know?

Stage 2: supervised numerical and verbal to weed out the cheats and rejig the rankings. PAS in Abbey St. for those tests (if you're already a CO your HEO probably knows already that you'll be busy elsewhere for a day next week or the week after). And yeah, a half day off work would cover those 90-120 minutes assuming you're Dublin region to start with.

Given that the exam room holds about 40 people for a two hour exam. Allow for supervisors' lunch break ... then I'd imagine the top 200 go in next week. And so on...but that is strictly guessing.

Stage 3 is the e-tray and the interview....check the previous EO threads for the gossip on them.

WoolyJumper

sureitsgrand wrote: »

Absolutely. It's a joke that chance seemingly plays such a deciding factor in how future civil servants are chosen. I'd say lots of extremely capable people lose out (and become disenfranchised with a career in the public sector) as a result.

Is that that kinda scenario based assessment we did? I find so many jobs I've applied for include something similar...trying to get an idea of your personality. It's funny, I was working for a particular company that had one of these, which I passed when I initially applied for the job. A few months later, wanted to move to another department and as a formality I needed to go through the application process again. Failed that personality assessment the second time I did it. Got a call from HR saying I needed to do it again and make sure I passed or they couldn't hire me for the new position, even though they knew I was the right fit and wanted me in that position.

It felt like even the HR manager knew it was pointless. Once you know the kind of person they are looking for they are pretty easy to pass. Whether or not my personality actually fits is a path I'll cross when the time comes :pac:

sureitsgrand

Yeah, that was the one.

I know they need something to assess personality etc. And I know they also need something to help cut the numbers, but it just seems such a poor way of doing it. For UK Civil Service tests they do the e-tray online and even have a video interview. I know the Irish CS wouldn't have the same resources, but surely some other method can be used. I guarantee if I did it now I'd do significantly differently than my test score (either worse or better). If it has to be there why not make it the one that you just have to reach a minimum standard for, and use the verbal and numerical as the basis of the rankings?

Anyway! I got through. Onward and upward.

sunflowa

I am so shocked that I did well!

Hypothetically speaking, if everything goes well moving forward, does anyone have any idea how long it would take to get through the stages as far as job offers?

(way down the line I know!)

I'm in final year in college and now I'm worried that things will move too quickly and I'll miss out by not being able to take anything until the middle of May.

Thanks!

Crunchymomma

sunflowa wrote: »

I am so shocked that I did well!

Hypothetically speaking, if everything goes well moving forward, does anyone have any idea how long it would take to get through the stages as far as job offers?

(way down the line I know!)

I'm in final year in college and now I'm worried that things will move too quickly and I'll miss out by not being able to take anything until the middle of May.

Thanks!

I think it was like sept/Oct before last panel actually placed anyone

yabadabado

Wheety wrote: »

They need to get SHL or whoever to have a much bigger bank of questions, like over a thousand and then give each person a random 30 or so.

I said it a earlier in the thread but its a farcical way of conducting tests.
Questionnaire is a once and unsupervised yet it counts towards final score.
Nothing stopping anyone from getting a few people to help them do the questionnaire(2 heads better than one) and spend majority of prep time on verbal and a decent level of maths will see you through.

I know they say you can be disqualified in round two if there is too much of a decrease in scores but I'd love to know if many/any people are disqualified.

All 3 exams should be resat in stage 2 under supervision with a the company running the exams having a much larger database of questions.

partay pooper

I passed but alas I'm in early 3000's not a chance so.

Tpau

I missed it by 3 points but I'm ok as my heart wasn't in it. Congratulations to those who got through and best wishes for the next stage.

s15r330

I just applied for the craic, got 1217 with scores of 65, 48 and 48!
Dunno would I even take it if I progressed through the other stages.
In the middle of a training contract with a big4 accounting firm, this time next year i'll be on a good bit more than the EO salary with my final exams this August.

Chocolate Teapot

I got 14 in interdepartmental but only came into the Civil service in the 2014 EO comp. Haven't completed 2 years, but will have by the time they start placing people so I was just wondering would I have to have been in the CS for 2 years on the date I applied?

Got in the 50's for the open but am afraid that I'd go in on the first point on the scale if I moved under the open comp. does anyone know if you automatically start of the bottom of the scale if you go the open route?

Wheety

yabadabado wrote: »

I said it a earlier in the thread but its a farcical way of conducting tests.
Questionnaire is a once and unsupervised yet it counts towards final score.
Nothing stopping anyone from getting a few people to help them do the questionnaire(2 heads better than one) and spend majority of prep time on verbal and a decent level of maths will see you through.

I know they say you can be disqualified in round two if there is too much of a decrease in scores but I'd love to know if many/any people are disqualified.

All 3 exams should be resat in stage 2 under supervision with a the company running the exams having a much larger database of questions.

Yeah the questionnaire is a big problem. Some people are very good at doing that type of test and if your mate does it for you, it's never tested again.

I think it's been said in here before but if you do really well on the verbal at home and not so good on the questionnaire, then there's only one way you're going in the ranking when you resit the 2 tests. Someone who has a good score on questionnaire but not verbal, can practice verbal and have a second go at it.

Wheety

Chocolate Teapot wrote: »

I got 14 in interdepartmental but only came into the Civil service in the 2014 EO comp. Haven't completed 2 years, but will have by the time they start placing people so I was just wondering would I have to have been in the CS for 2 years on the date I applied?

Got in the 50's for the open but am afraid that I'd go in on the first point on the scale if I moved under the open comp. does anyone know if you automatically start of the bottom of the scale if you go the open route?

Why would you apply for EO if you're already an EO? Or did you mean you're a CO?

It usually states in the Information Booklet that you must meet the eligibility criteria by the application date.

Did anyone save the Information Booklet? I can't find it through Google.

I can answer your question on salary if you clarify if you're currently a CO or EO.

Actually, I'll answer it now. If you're CO you won't be at the first point for EO yet.

If you're an EO, you're not eligible for this competition.

Chase3

Why did I get two scores? Open and inter??

RWC15champions

FloatingVoter wrote: »

Stage 2: supervised numerical and verbal to weed out the cheats and rejig the rankings. PAS in Abbey St. for those tests (if you're already a CO your HEO probably knows already that you'll be busy elsewhere for a day next week or the week after). And yeah, a half day off work would cover those 90-120 minutes assuming you're Dublin region to start with.

Given that the exam room holds about 40 people for a two hour exam. Allow for supervisors' lunch break ... then I'd imagine the top 200 go in next week. And so on...but that is strictly guessing.

Stage 3 is the e-tray and the interview....check the previous EO threads for the gossip on them.

I'd reckon 600/800 per week myself and the tests will be completed in 2/3 weeks.
They will have a few test rooms on the go at the same time, or at least they did the last EO comp.

Wheety

Chase3 wrote: »

Why did I get two scores? Open and inter??

Are you a Civil Servant currently?

sureitsgrand

Does anyone know if the supervised tests are done on a computer or with bleedin' pencils?

Chase3

Wheety wrote: »

Are you a Civil Servant currently?

No

Wheety

sureitsgrand wrote: »

Does anyone know if the supervised tests are done on a computer or with bleedin' pencils?

Computer

Chase3 wrote: »

No

Well either it's a mistake on their part or you ticked the Interdepartmental box when applying. You're only eligible for the open.

doc11

Wheety wrote: »

Yeah the questionnaire is a big problem. Some people are very good at doing that type of test and if your mate does it for you, it's never tested again.

I think it's been said in here before but if you do really well on the verbal at home and not so good on the questionnaire, then there's only one way you're going in the ranking when you resit the 2 tests. Someone who has a good score on questionnaire but not verbal, can practice verbal and have a second go at it.

You can get a mate to sit the questionnaire and then cheat at the verbal and numeric(screenshots). The margins are so tight between candidates there should be a completely new set of questionnaire and verbal/numeric tests at stage2 Far too many cheat it's a joke. There was a Poster that repeatedly asked is it the same set of questions for stage2 who topped his region, I wonder why?

A cattlecall in the RDS would sort this out too.

Chase3

Wheety wrote: »

Computer


Well either it's a mistake on their part or you ticked the Interdepartmental box when applying. You're only eligible for the open.

I don't recall ticking a box.

Wheety

Chase3 wrote: »

I don't recall ticking a box.

There were 2 boxes when applying asking which streams you're applying for. Open or Interdepartmental. Interdepartmental is only for current Civil Servants at a grade below EO.

I can't remember if there was also Irish and Internal options this time.

Chase3

Anyway, 400 or so inter, which is a mistake. And 1217 open. No chance to improve as I had a 41 on questionnaire. Didn't get it at all really. Any chance?? Any odds? I don't know anything about the process or past rounds.

RWC15champions

Chase3 wrote: »

Anyway, 400 or so inter, which is a mistake. And 1217 open. No chance to improve as I had a 41 on questionnaire. Didn't get it at all really. Any chance?? Any odds? I don't know anything about the process or past rounds.

If you're in Dublin I'd say you will stand a very good chance provided you get through stage 2 and 3.
If you are holding out for any other regions I wouldn't hold my breath.

Chocolate Teapot

Wheety wrote: »

Why would you apply for EO if you're already an EO? Or did you mean you're a CO?

It usually states in the Information Booklet that you must meet the eligibility criteria by the application date.

Did anyone save the Information Booklet? I can't find it through Google.

I can answer your question on salary if you clarify if you're currently a CO or EO.

Actually, I'll answer it now. If you're CO you won't be at the first point for EO yet.

If you're an EO, you're not eligible for this competition.

I'm an EO, applied again to give me the option of changing location as there are CS depts closer to my home, so for family reasons it would be more convenient. I know there is a DPER pilot mobility scheme starting up soon but it may take a while before it is extended to the entire country.

Are EO's not eligible for this competition? I thought as it was an open completion you wouldn't be excluded.

VONSHIRACH

Chase3 wrote: »

Anyway, 400 or so inter, which is a mistake. And 1217 open. No chance to improve as I had a 41 on questionnaire. Didn't get it at all really. Any chance?? Any odds? I don't know anything about the process or past rounds.

I am through and got a similar low 40's in the questionnaire. I don't understand why I scored so low in this. Is it possible we didn't click properly on a few questions and skipped them inadvertingly?

Chase3

RWC15champions wrote: »

If you're in Dublin I'd say you will stand a very good chance provided you get through stage 2 and 3.
If you are holding out for any other regions I wouldn't hold my breath.

Thanks, I'm Dublin yeah. So I should I let them know about the inter or just ignore it?

Wheety

Chocolate Teapot wrote: »

Are EO's not eligible for this competition? I thought as it was an open completion you wouldn't be excluded.

Well technically yes. But it may be seen as you quiting one job and taking up another as you're not just moving location. You would have to ask DPER if you have to start on the first point again.

RWC15champions

Chase3 wrote: »

Thanks, I'm Dublin yeah. So I should I let them know about the inter or just ignore it?

I'd let them know if I was you.
They'll just take you off that list and it won't affect your placing in the open comp.
Better to do it now than to get an offer on inter d panel in 6-12 months time and PAS find out at that point you aren't eligible. If they wasted time and effort on a candidate that can't be placed it might annoy them... It would annoy me if I was doing that job!

VONSHIRACH

doc11 wrote: »

What was your total score 128? amazing placing out of 15000

Did they say 15,000 did the tests?

doc11

VONSHIRACH wrote: »

Did they say 15,000 did the tests?

I guessed. There was 13500 last time. With the CO there was an increase in applicants so I presume this is similar.

Jakeren7

I got 64 in numerical n 53 in verbal but only got 43 in questionnaire but yet got in 7000 for open and 2600 for inter comp. So unfair the way the numerical is not added to your score as for the questionnaire. I must have answered it completely wrong and I totally agree with other posters that if called to stage 2 you should have to sit something similar again. The whole system is a joke. Got to number 3 on the last EO panel n it closed

doc11

VONSHIRACH wrote: »

Did they say 15,000 did the tests?

I guessed. There was 13500 last time. With the CO there was an increase in applicants so I presume this is similar.

What score in verbal did you have to get through with a low questionnaire? sounds near impossible? 70ish

caarp

I don't recall reading about it but some people have mentioned that the next set of tests may run 2 hours.  Is this true?  Are these tests also timed?  Anyone know?

VONSHIRACH

s15r330 wrote: »

I just applied for the craic, got 1217 with scores of 65, 48 and 48!
Dunno would I even take it if I progressed through the other stages.
In the middle of a training contract with a big4 accounting firm, this time next year i'll be on a good bit more than the EO salary with my final exams this August.

That is true, but you won't have the flexi-time! Is it still allowed to bring books into those exams?

caarp

Just to be clear too, our assessment score doesn't change, right?  So do they add up your new score from Verb/Num to the assessment, or do they average out both test scores?  Seems so inept to ask people to sit another numerical test and consider that score for the next merit of order placing, yet not consider your first numerical score in the first set of tests.

Chase3

VONSHIRACH wrote: »

I am through and got a similar low 40's in the questionnaire. I don't understand why I scored so low in this. Is it possible we didn't click properly on a few questions and skipped them inadvertingly?

I just think I did terrible. I had no idea what they wanted aside from the obvious. Is asking a supervisor good? Is delegating good? I have no idea.

VONSHIRACH

doc11 wrote: »

I guessed. There was 13500 last time. With the CO there was an increase in applicants so I presume this is similar.

What score in verbal did you have to get through with a low questionnaire? sounds near impossible? 70ish

Correct, I aced the verbal.:D I thought it was easy.

doc11

VONSHIRACH wrote: »

Correct, I aced the verbal.:D I thought it was easy.

Practice much to get a score like that, congratulations anyway

Wheety

caarp wrote: »

Just to be clear too, our assessment score doesn't change, right? So do they add up your new score from Verb/Num to the assessment, or do they average out both test scores? Seems so inept to ask people to sit another numerical test and consider that score for the next merit of order placing, yet not consider your first numerical score in the first set of tests.

After the re-test the scores used to decide your place is your questionnaire and the score from the 2nd verbal.

You also need to pass the numerical 2nd time but again, it doesn't count towards your score.

VONSHIRACH

Obviously there are people who cheat, but it is the flawed process which allows the questionnaire to be accessed over a period of time by friends who apply and screenshot etc for discussion. As this questionnaire stage is not asked again, it matters not if your best friend helps you with this, it gets you up the rankings and into the next stage. The cheaters would be beaten if the unsupervised tests at home etc had to be done by everyone at a 9am start on a specified date with a time limit for the questionnaire. If you are serious about a career at this you will then have to take leave to do this test.

newstarts

658 on open, I got 218 in interdepartmental but am curr on co probation and on review it would appear I must discount myself based on criteria, am going to contact PAS in the mornin as I don't want to waste anyone's time!! Any one know timeline on when we can be expected to get called for round two??

VONSHIRACH

doc11 wrote: »

Practice much to get a score like that, congratulations anyway

the verbal is all practice yes, I won't be losing the head though, I am just about into stage 2.

VONSHIRACH

newstarts wrote: »

658 on open, I got 218 in interdepartmental but am curr on co probation and on review it would appear I must discount myself based on criteria, am going to contact PAS in the mornin as I don't want to waste anyone's time!! Any one know timeline on when we can be expected to get called for round two??

I'd guess you'd be in a month or two. You are ok in the open, but interdepartmental is 2 years service.

quad_red

Anyone know what days they run the tests and how many people they take a day?

I am so ****ed if I'm called next week. I genuinely cannot get time off work

Of all the weeks. Do PAS show any flexibility?

caarp

Wheety wrote: »

caarp wrote: »

Just to be clear too, our assessment score doesn't change, right?  So do they add up your new score from Verb/Num to the assessment, or do they average out both test scores?  Seems so inept to ask people to sit another numerical test and consider that score for the next merit of order placing, yet not consider your first numerical score in the first set of tests.

After the re-test the scores used to decide your place is your questionnaire and the score from the 2nd verbal.

You also need to pass the numerical 2nd time but again, it doesn't count towards your score.

Thanks Wheety.  Appreciate your response.
Wow, it's really crazy, isn't it?  The numerical is just pass/fail and doesn't count at all.  Better get practicing on those verbal ones again.  Wonder if you're called into the tests based on merit placing or last name?  Were you successful yourself?

Chocolate Teapot

caarp wrote: »

 Wonder if you're called into the tests based on merit placing or last name?  Were you successful yourself?

They call you in order of merit!

bronzesheep

Hi all,

I made it through to the next stage. Reading through the posts someone mentioned that if you are currently in the civil service and you are successful then you could stay in your current office.

I'm a CO right now, but I was only eligible to apply for the open competition. If I were successful, would I have the option of staying in my current office or how does it work?

Thanks!

newstarts

bronzesheep wrote: »

Hi all,

I made it through to the next stage. Reading through the posts someone mentioned that if you are currently in the civil service and you are successful then you could stay in your current office.

I'm a CO right now, but I was only eligible to apply for the open competition. If I were successful, would I have the option of staying in my current office or how does it work?

Thanks!

Am the same..am on probation u?