Executive Officer Campaign 2019 Mod warning #1682

November Golf

Daz_ wrote: »

Have people received the stage one online questionnaire yet ? It says link to be sent by the 6th ..

No I didn't. but in saying that, when they say by the 6th at 3pm - what they usually mean is on the 6th at 3.05 :rolleyes: well at least in my experience anyways.

Daz_

Mike Foxtrot wrote: »

No I didn't. but in saying that, when they say by the 6th at 3pm - what they usually mean is on the 6th at 3.05 :rolleyes: well at least in my experience anyways.

Lol ok Mike good to know !

Newport81

LouD2016 wrote: »

You can get decent ones online. Any HEO/EO I work with used these:

https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/about

For free online ones:
www.graduatesfirst.com
https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/e-tray-exercise.html

I've never heard of anyone doing a course in Kilroys College - id imagine its just a money making thing tbh
Plenty online to give you a jist of the layout and then just make sure to practice the ones PAS will send out

Which tests from jobtestprep would be best to purchase?

Vologda69

Newport81 wrote: »

Which tests from jobtestprep would be best to purchase?

If you buy a subscription for 49 for 6 months, it gives you access to all their tests : ). Good value

Eod100

My laptop picked a great time to pack it in.. anyone know how long it takes? Might have to rely on PC in library or something so.

November Golf

Stage 1 Pre-Test Information Booklet is out.

No link yet but the questionaire should take an hour to complete.

katiek102010

Invitations are out for online assessment but no link to tests yet

lateron

Can the online practice assessment be taken more than once?

eroc79

lateron wrote: »

Can the online practice assessment be taken more than once?

You can but you won't need to. It's a very basic practice.

irish_goat

Any tips for the test? Can't really afford to splash out on the paid practice test websites.

Breezer25

irish_goat wrote: »

Any tips for the test? Can't really afford to splash out on the paid practice test websites.

There are free practise tests online if you google them.

eroc79

The link to the test has arrived. Wasn't expecting to get it till later

GAA Beo

eroc79 wrote: »

You can but you won't need to. It's a very basic practice.

The familiarisation material is so basic like that 2 questions, it's almost a waste of time so there is no real way to prepare. Do many people do practise tests elsewhere or do people just wing it? I've done so many of these tests at this stage, but I still don't get high enough. Plus you don't get any you proper feedback to know what went wrong. Quite frustrating. Feels like a lottery really.

keepkeyyellow

77 open 20 interdepartmental. Interdepartmental might be the wrong number I got distracted listening to her.

November Golf

keepkeyyellow wrote: »

77 open 20 interdepartmental. Interdepartmental might be the wrong number I got distracted listening to her.

Is that the expected vacancies? Where did you hear that from?

keepkeyyellow

Mike Foxtrot wrote: »

Is that the expected vacancies? Where did you hear that from?

Whoops meant to post this in the Dublin EO topic

joseph brand

IIRC, this first stage (assessment) is where you are going to rate yourself on personal attributes such as:

Are you late to work? Never, sometimes or often.
Leave the work to others? Never, sometimes or often.
Bit of a weird loner? Never, sometimes or often.
Do the bare minimum? Never, sometimes or often.

You have the option to give yourself top marks or something less.

This is my third campaign and I feel like my honesty may have given me a lower score, whereas someone else could portray themselves as a stellar employee and get a high score. Has anyone any thoughts on this?

I was raised to think that 'honesty is the best policy' but looking at the likes of politicians, there are many people in power who have blagged their way to the top (or close to the top).

MedPsych

joseph brand wrote: »

IIRC, this first stage (assessment) is where you are going to rate yourself on personal attributes such as:

Are you late to work? Never, sometimes or often.
Leave the work to others? Never, sometimes or often.
Bit of a weird loner? Never, sometimes or often.
Do the bare minimum? Never, sometimes or often.

You have the option to give yourself top marks or something less.

This is my third campaign and I feel like my honesty may have given me a lower score, whereas someone else could portray themselves as a stellar employee and get a high score. Has anyone any thoughts on this?

I was raised to think that 'honesty is the best policy' but looking at the likes of politicians, there are many people in power who have blagged their way to the top (or close to the top).

Yeah I really am not sure what this test on its own accomplishes. Either people are too depreciating of their skills or talk themselves up way more. Some are worded tricky and no matter what answer you give it seems to look bad on you. Some things are relative to the organisation you are in. I have done the same job in two different ones and they both had very different expectations of what level of responsibility I should have for example (i.e. do I check with someone higher before making a crucial decision or just go for it on my own judgement) I am capable of either but I need to know the organisation to know which is required where and these questionnaires dont show that.

PhuckHugh

MedPsych wrote: »

Yeah I really am not sure what this test on its own accomplishes. Either people are too depreciating of their skills or talk themselves up way more. Some are worded tricky and no matter what answer you give it seems to look bad on you. Some things are relative to the organisation you are in. I have done the same job in two different ones and they both had very different expectations of what level of responsibility I should have for example (i.e. do I check with someone higher before making a crucial decision or just go for it on my own judgement) I am capable of either but I need to know the organisation to know which is required where and these questionnaires dont show that.

It's the job scenario that's the tricky part --- how you would respond to certain situations --- these tests are set to a formula and they are looking for people that hit certain notes... You are presented with 4 options per answer and you have to rate each option and say whether it is weak/adequate/strong etc. etc.

It's hard to know what they are looking for exactly from your response

irish_goat

joseph brand wrote: »

IIRC, this first stage (assessment) is where you are going to rate yourself on personal attributes such as:

Are you late to work? Never, sometimes or often.
Leave the work to others? Never, sometimes or often.
Bit of a weird loner? Never, sometimes or often.
Do the bare minimum? Never, sometimes or often.

I don't understand these questions at all. Who is ever going to admit that they are often late for work?

Breezer25

irish_goat wrote: »

I don't understand these questions at all. Who is ever going to admit that they are often late for work?

They don't actually phrase it like that. It will be a general question about punctuality.

e.g compared to others are you more punctual, as punctual , less punctual

irish_goat

Breezer25 wrote: »

They don't actually phrase it like that. It will be a general question about punctuality.

e.g compared to others are you more punctual, as punctual , less punctual

Aye but still...

LouD2016

This is it...do you make yourself out to be so amazing and sound like a big headed tool that's not even considering the questions or do you make yourself out to be average and have them think you aren't strong enough for a management role.

The job scenario ones I get, but this self assessment stuff is ridiculous.

joseph brand

Breezer25 wrote: »

They don't actually phrase it like that. It will be a general question about punctuality.

e.g compared to others are you more punctual, as punctual , less punctual

I was paraphrasing, keeping it concise. But you get the gist.

Here's an interesting answer from Quora:

https://www.quora.com/What-type-of-answers-are-employers-looking-for-during-a-pre-employment-assessment-test

In any section where you have choices of Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Somewhat Disagree, Neutral, Somewhat Agree, Agree, Strongly Agree you need to be very careful.

Most people, who are answering honestly, will not choose either Strongly Disagree or Strongly Agree. Why is that? When applying for a job, we want to be seen as a person who is able to get along. Having strong feelings either for or against an idea or topic seems to be somewhat rude. We might even worry that we will appear as confrontational, aggressive, or even egotistical. Right?

So, you'll take the more passive approach. You'll choose anything BUT the Strongly Agree or Strongly Disagree. AND YOU WILL GET THAT ANSWER WRONG!

Any section that has choices ranging from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree needs to be seen as True or False. Ignore all the choices in-between. That's right, ignore them! Because they are wrong.

Why are they wrong? Keep in mind that the employer does not see your answers to the test, they only see the results. To get the best result you need to be seen as confident in your abilities. Any other answer other than "strongly" shows a lack of confidence, and employers don't want employees that are not sure of themselves.

Always pick 1 or 5/ Strongly Agree or Strongly Disagree. (I think there are 5 options). Food for thought.

ahnowbrowncow

joseph brand wrote: »

I was paraphrasing, keeping it concise. But you get the gist.

Here's an interesting answer from Quora:

https://www.quora.com/What-type-of-answers-are-employers-looking-for-during-a-pre-employment-assessment-test

Always pick 1 or 5/ Strongly Agree or Strongly Disagree. (I think there are 5 options). Food for thought.

I've read the opposite in psychometric and questionnaire test books, they've said to seldom answer a question with strongly agree or disagree, unless going for a leadership role that requires decisiveness.

I've also got high scores and low scores in these questionnaires despite answering them in a similar manner so I wouldn't be surprised if the correct answer changes between competitions as the answers can be very subjective.

So it really does seem to be a lottery, not sure it's the best test to filter candidates for the next stage as it does seem.to a lottery.

Just thought I'd give my thoughts even though I'm not applying, best of luck to everyone

whatlliwear

Does anyone know if you can stop & start again or do you have to complete it in 1 go?

jr86

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

I've read the opposite in psychometric and questionnaire test books, they've said to seldom answer a question with strongly agree or disagree, unless going for a leadership role that requires decisiveness.

I have to agree with this

I had a go at the test earlier and its fairly obvious there are particular questions weighted heavily towards specific EO qualities and there are ones that are subtly linked to similarly worded questions on the next page and so on.

I imagine they'll weed out time wasters who veer towards the extreme ends of the spectrum in each case and those that answer differently to linked questions.

From previous experience - the main thing is to be honest! To a point

The situational questions at the end aren't bad but bear in mind your head will potentially be fried when you get to that point.

eroc79

whatlliwear wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can stop & start again or do you have to complete it in 1 go?

I think it mentioned in the familiarisation material that you could come back to it but it shouldn't take more than an hour to complete anyway and that would be taking your time

Rikand

whatlliwear wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can stop & start again or do you have to complete it in 1 go?

Book an hour for yourself. Turn off the phone and just do it. Chances are you won't even need the hour.

Just tell the wife/husband/kids/pets you are not to be disturbed between X and Y on Z and get her done in one go

RioM

joseph brand wrote: »

IIRC, this first stage (assessment) is where you are going to rate yourself on personal attributes such as:

Are you late to work? Never, sometimes or often.
Leave the work to others? Never, sometimes or often.
Bit of a weird loner? Never, sometimes or often.
Do the bare minimum? Never, sometimes or often.

You have the option to give yourself top marks or something less.

This is my third campaign and I feel like my honesty may have given me a lower score, whereas someone else could portray themselves as a stellar employee and get a high score. Has anyone any thoughts on this?

I was raised to think that 'honesty is the best policy' but looking at the likes of politicians, there are many people in power who have blagged their way to the top (or close to the top).

Same thoughts here. This time I might be giving myself gold stars for everything.