Clerical Officer 2018

Samsgirl

Would anyone who has been for interview he able to answer, do they run fairly on schedule? Just looking a arranging childcare and train home.

Shelly63

Hi I have an interview this week am dreading it - any tips havent done an interview in years? also what to wear?

Rikand

@Samsgirl, most of the interviews themselves ran for 25-30 minutes. I'd imagine things should run pretty close to time.

From talking to people waiting to be interviewed I would agree with getting the train. I did too, but others got the bus or drove themselves and felt panicked for time. Train + Luas to the PAS building was the way to go!

@Shelly63, Prepare as best you can and try to relax. All men were wearing suits and the women were wearing business attire on the day I was there. So I would guess that would be the standard. Look well, Feel well, Play well!

jo_5cav

is it possible to have a number of candidates with same position on panel for for area?

Goldenkt

Hi all, just had my interview today for Louth/Kildare, I’m top 5 in both if that is helpful to anyone figuring out numbers/timescale.

November Golf

jo_5cav wrote: »

is it possible to have a number of candidates with same position on panel for for area?

Some government department self-ran competitions do that but I don't think PAS do. Your number is your number.

Gra11

jo_5cav wrote: »

is it possible to have a number of candidates with same position on panel for for area?

I think in the 2016 campaign two people had the same number. It may have been an error though.

Crunchymomma

jo_5cav wrote: »

is it possible to have a number of candidates with same position on panel for for area?

Yes. Some people will have the same position if they have the same score. If three people are number two, the placing would go like 1,2,2,2,5

It was like this for both 2016 CO and 2016 EO at least

Huntline

Crunchymomma wrote: »

Yes. Some people will have the same position if they have the same score. If three people are number two, the placing would go like 1,2,2,2,5

It was like this for both 2016 CO and 2016 EO at least

Thanks, I'm number 71 for Longford, I wonder how many are in front of me

Rikand

Huntline wrote: »

Thanks, I'm number 71 for Longford, I wonder how many are in front of me

At least 70

MG_2013

Samsgirl wrote: »

Would anyone who has been for interview he able to answer, do they run fairly on schedule? Just looking a arranging childcare and train home.

I did the interview last Tuesday afternoon and was interviewed 15 minutes before I was due to be interviewed, which unnerved me somewhat. I turned up at reception over half an hour before my interview, thinking there'd be more people around, it was quiet, and then handed in my documentation. There was a person waiting before me, but I was called before him.

jo_5cav

Thanks for that wasn't sure how it worked.

jo_5cav

Had interview last week , have your 4 competencies prepared well with an extra example. They will ask about them. It's fine though they were nice interviews.

Crunchymomma

Huntline wrote: »

Thanks, I'm number 71 for Longford, I wonder how many are in front of me

There should be 70 ahead of you

Huntline

Crunchymomma wrote: »

There should be 70 ahead of you

Oh OK thanks, just wasn't sure about the double numbers. Maybe I'm really number 100 even. What can I do? I'm really anxious and worried now

Shelly63

Oh God - I dont even know where to start on competencies - had a lot goin on at w/e so not in the right mind set at all - have interview wed - im goosed - any tips greately appreciated

roseycheeks

Hi anyone Know what number they are up to in Limerick for interviews thanks

Nynaeve

Huntline wrote: »

Oh OK thanks, just wasn't sure about the double numbers. Maybe I'm really number 100 even. What can I do? I'm really anxious and worried now

If you're number 71, then you're 71st in line.

To continue the previous example, if there are three people at number 2, then the order of merit goes 1,2,2,2, *5* . That's still five people in the top 5 spots, it just so happens that three of them got the exact same score.

It's like when two horses dead heat for first spot in a race. Hope that helps the worry a bit!

jo_5cav

Shelly63 wrote: »

Oh God - I dont even know where to start on competencies - had a lot goin on at w/e so not in the right mind set at all - have interview wed - im goosed - any tips greately appreciated

Dont worry whatever you had on application they will ask about just tell them what you did.

jo_5cav

Nynaeve wrote: »

If you're number 71, then you're 71st in line.

To continue the previous example, if there are three people at number 2, then the order of merit goes 1,2,2,2, *5* . That's still five people in the top 5 spots, it just so happens that three of them got the exact same score.

It's like when two horses dead heat for first spot in a race. Hope that helps the worry a bit!

Cheers for that wasn't sure how it worked.

Samsgirl

Only out of interview. Not too sure if I messed it up or not. They were nice though.

SB1982

Samsgirl wrote: »

Only out of interview. Not too sure if I messed it up or not. They were nice though.

Anyone of us can only do our best
I'm up this week too

336699

Samsgirl wrote: »

Only out of interview. Not too sure if I messed it up or not. They were nice though.

I’m sure you did better than you think, everyone always does.

How long did the whole process take? I need to book the train for Friday...eek!

SB1982

jo_5cav wrote: »

Cheers for that wasn't sure how it worked.

If there were 3 people at oom number 2 how do they decide which of the 3 people get the next available position when it comes available?

Xenji

SB1982 wrote: »

If there were 3 people at oom number 2 how do they decide which of the 3 people get the next available position when it comes available?

It would not happen, everyone has a different oom number.

EmmetWhitey

If two people are tied on Interview score, their will be a competency pre selected before the interview to decide a tie breaker so say for instance it was "Problem solving" well then whoever scored the highest in that area of the interview would become OOM 1 and the other fella OOM 2.

SB1982

Xenji wrote: »

It would not happen, everyone has a different oom number.

Apparently not. People have said that there can be a couple of people with the same OOM. Youll see it in the comments above ^^^^^

stinkbomb

You can have the same ranking as someone else before interview but you won't afterwards.

Rikand

SB1982 wrote: »

If there were 3 people at oom number 2 how do they decide which of the 3 people get the next available position when it comes available?

Depending on the specific role thats available they may use your skills, qualifications and experience garnered from the interview as a determining factor. Either way, if you're tied for number 2 and pass the interview you're getting a job sooner rather than later

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Rikand wrote: »

Depending on the specific role thats available they may use your skills, qualifications and experience garnered from the interview as a determining factor. Either way, if you're tied for number 2 and pass the interview you're getting a job sooner rather than later

They don't look at skills for appointment.
Its a numbers game.whose next and we're are they needed next.

Crunchymomma

stinkbomb wrote: »

You can have the same ranking as someone else before interview but you won't afterwards.

Clerical Officer interview is pass /fail usually so you don't receive a new oom after. Or at least I didn't so it is possible that several people will still have the same ranking after interview too

Huntline

Crunchymomma wrote: »

Clerical Officer interview is pass /fail usually so you don't receive a new oom after. Or at least I didn't so it is possible that several people will still have the same ranking after interview too

What locations have you applied for? I didn't think they had placed anyone in this campaign yet, they are running a lot quicker than I'd thought.

Rikand

Calvin Angry Rigging wrote: »

They don't look at skills for appointment.
Its a numbers game.whose next and we're are they needed next.

So in the event of a tied order of merit ?

They draw lots to determine who's selected next ?

336699

Huntline wrote: »

What locations have you applied for? I didn't think they had placed anyone in this campaign yet, they are running a lot quicker than I'd thought.

Crunchymomma got a job in the 2016 campaign.

The first batch of candidates are still being interviewed for the 2018 campaign.

336699

Rikand wrote: »

So in the event of a tied order of merit ?

They draw lots to determine who's selected next ?

Alphabetically, by surname, I would presume.

Skills, experience etc can’t be considered with regards to a candidate’s OOM as that would not be objective.

Everyone was on an equal footing when they did the Stage 1 questionnaire and Stage 2 tests. Regardless of skills, experience and even educational background, we all answered the same questions. A person with a a degree, masters etc was treated the same as a person with just their Leaving Cert.

Samsgirl

336699 wrote: »

I’m sure you did better than you think, everyone always does.

How long did the whole process take? I need to book the train for Friday...eek!

I was in at 11.50 and out by 12.30. It went so quick in there.

Rikand

336699 wrote: »

Alphabetically, by surname, I would presume.

Skills, experience etc can’t be considered with regards to a candidate’s OOM as that would not be objective.

Everyone was on an equal footing when they did the Stage 1 questionnaire and Stage 2 tests. Regardless of skills, experience and even educational background, we all answered the same questions. A person with a a degree, masters etc was treated the same as a person with just their Leaving Cert.

You're right. That is completely fair

Crunchymomma

Huntline wrote: »

What locations have you applied for? I didn't think they had placed anyone in this campaign yet, they are running a lot quicker than I'd thought.

I was placed off the last campaign. Just trying to help people understand the process

336699

Samsgirl wrote: »

I was in at 11.50 and out by 12.30. It went so quick in there.

Perfect, thanks. If I’m in and out that quick I’ll have plenty of time to catch the train.

laoisgem

Am I the only one that found the interview brutal?

One guy was lovely but the woman was a right wagon, I felt about an inch tall coming out of there 😢

Nynaeve

laoisgem wrote: »

Am I the only one that found the interview brutal?

One guy was lovely but the woman was a right wagon, I felt about an inch tall coming out of there 😢

Not at all! Mine was the same but in reverse! I was almost crying on the bus home, after all that work to fail at the interview stage.

A friend pointed out that these people are trained just to interview people though. They won't give the same reactions that you would normally expect, smiling etc. etc. So maybe there's hope for us yet

336699

laoisgem wrote: »

Am I the only one that found the interview brutal?

One guy was lovely but the woman was a right wagon, I felt about an inch tall coming out of there ��

Ah don’t say that, I’m up on Friday.

Is it very intense? Did they just ask for examples of the competencies or were there standard interview questions too?

Nynaeve

336699 wrote: »

Ah don’t say that, I’m up on Friday.

Is it very intense? Did they just ask for examples of the competencies or were there standard interview questions too?

It was really just the competencies, which I had prepared fairly well. My guy kept telling me to "get to the point, we have time constraints involved here" but then the girl said to me "I'm going to stop you there, you have completely answered my question thank you".

I guess I'm used to interviews where they are interviewing about 3 or 4 people, so you have time to chat and show your personality too. In there, all they wanted was my answer and to move on.

laoisgem

336699 wrote: »

Ah don’t say that, I’m up on Friday.

Is it very intense? Did they just ask for examples of the competencies or were there standard interview questions too?

I found it intense but I guess everyone’s different. They asked everything within the competencies and it felt like they were trying to throw u.

I taught I had prepared really well and knew the competencies and examples inside out but still felt like that wasn’t enough. I’m not trying to scare anyone but to say it was a walk in the park and just know ur 4 competencies is enough is disingenuous.

Prepare for absolutely everything!

Oh and the very best of luck to everyone 🀞

336699

Nynaeve wrote: »

It was really just the competencies, which I had prepared fairly well. My guy kept telling me to "get to the point, we have time constraints involved here" but then the girl said to me "I'm going to stop you there, you have completely answered my question thank you".

I guess I'm used to interviews where they are interviewing about 3 or 4 people, so you have time to chat and show your personality too. In there, all they wanted was my answer and to move on.

I’m surprised that he said that. At least you got reassurance from the girl that you had given her the right answer.

Maybe, they were playing good cop/bad cop to see how you deal under pressure!

Nynaeve

336699 wrote: »

I’m surprised that he said that. At least you got reassurance from the girl that you had given her the right answer.

Maybe, they were playing good cop/bad cop to see how you deal under pressure!

One can only hope! Good luck to you on friday

336699

laoisgem wrote: »

I found it intense but I guess everyone’s different. They asked everything within the competencies and it felt like they were trying to throw u.

I taught I had prepared really well and knew the competencies and examples inside out but still felt like that wasn’t enough. I’m not trying to scare anyone but to say it was a walk in the park and just know ur 4 competencies is enough is disingenuous.

Prepare for absolutely everything!

Oh and the very best of luck to everyone ��

I’m writing out as many examples as I can think of for the competencies right now! I’ll look at standard interview questions and my application form too.

Thanks for the heads up.

Hopefully, we will all pass with flying colours!

Anniesland

336699 wrote: »

Ah don’t say that, I’m up on Friday.

Is it very intense? Did they just ask for examples of the competencies or were there standard interview questions too?

I had my interview today. I thought my interview panel were lovely. I could have stayed chatting for ages more. Felt completely at ease with them. They smiled often to make you feel comfortable and showed a genuine interest in what I was saying. So try not to worry in run up to Friday.

Rikand

laoisgem wrote: »

Am I the only one that found the interview brutal?

One guy was lovely but the woman was a right wagon, I felt about an inch tall coming out of there 😢

Maybe they saw real potential in you from your application and wanted to push you to see your capabilities. Take the positives!

336699

Anniesland wrote: »

I had my interview today. I thought my interview panel were lovely. I could have stayed chatting for ages more. Felt completely at ease with them. They smiled often to make you feel comfortable and showed a genuine interest in what I was saying. So try not to worry in run up to Friday.

Thanks, I suppose different interviewers have different techniques. Just the luck of the draw who you get.