NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

Kenrach

What's the latest interview date? I never thought to ask them when the results maybe out.

Kenrach

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117729426#Comment_117729426

When are you up ?

Furby2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117730326#Comment_117730326

Next Wednesday - 18th!

Kenrach

Didn't you reschedule or was that someone else? I wonder I'd that the last day of interviews.

Furby2020

Yes I rescheduled - I was due up today!

Kenrach

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117730852#Comment_117730852

So the 18th could be the last day for catchup/ rescheduled interviews. I could just phone them and ask but that would spoil the speculation 😂

taato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117730926#Comment_117730926

Nope, a colleague is on the 19th so could be going all that week

Kenrach

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117731513#Comment_117731513

Ok well the very best of luck with prep.

Rainbowstar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117730926#Comment_117730926

Well done on getting through your interview!

Interviews are all next week until Friday. In spite of that I was unable to change mine!!

When you say you didn't get to use your STAR, did you get to give some of the example? Or just direct questions on each start to finish?

Kenrach

It was a combination of both. I'd begin star then it was straight into questions and very open questions on the sub competencies.

Rainbowstar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117732942#Comment_117732942

Ah ok. Thank you.

RachaelOD

Hi all,

I am new to this chat.

I am due to have my interview this week.

Has anyone done it lately and can they share what the last question they ask?

Does it relate to digital public services?

Best of luck to everyone going through it this week.

Thanks

taato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117761354#Comment_117761354

i can’t answer your query as i too am due for interview this week and i know someone else up after me. But i’m hoping the direction of the interview will be dictated by the competencies and the examples i have put on application and alternatives i may bring in. I’m just curious why digital services would be the final one? From reading what orevious posters have said, the questions depend on the individual board, with some sticking rigidly to STAR type examples with a few probing questions for clarification, while other boards delivered rapid fire questions under each competency heading not allowing much scope for a scripted reply. Not sure what to prepare tbh, besides going over form, and deciding topics under each competency.

Cheeseplant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117761354#Comment_117761354

I wasn't asked anything about digital public services in June...

Nothing left of field at all really.

Kenrach

I had interview 09th August and wasn't asked any questions on digital services

RachaelOD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117761825#Comment_117761825

Hi Taato

I understand the final question relates to something like a challenge facing the Government.

Unrelated to the Form.

Probably to gauge your drive and commitment to public service values.

In 2019, the final question I was asked was "In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the Government".

RachaelOD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117762817#Comment_117762817

Thanks Kenrach

Do you recall what the final question was? Or was there a question that moved away from the examples on the Form as the final question?

Something like a challenge facing the Government?

Thanks

Kenrach

I was asked about pmds in a dept that doesn't use it and how I would implement it.

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117763086#Comment_117763086

There is no one magic question that everyone gets asked. You may not be asked anything, apart from the basic questions/follow-up, more probing questions, on your competencies. You may be asked an additional question - that, in theory at least should, be testing one of the competencies - and if you are it will be something related to the civil service, government or public life. I think the idea of this is basically acknowledging that the interview board knows you've prepared all your competency answers and backup examples, but now wants to see you how you manage with something you haven't prepared in advance. They're not trying to catch you out, they're trying to see how you are off-script.

Furby2020

I'm on Wednesday and beginning to panic! I have prepared well but am worried my mind will go blank during the interview and get muddled during the competencies. Does anybody know if many fail the actual interview? Also is it just a pass mark of 41 in each competency to get through?

Kenrach

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764439#Comment_117764439

Understandable to be nervous....take sips of water during the interview and use that time to compose yourself and remember to breathe. Of you don't understand the question ask them to clarify ...they'll expect that especially as it's online and signal may not be clear so use it the very best of luck, you've prepared, you've got this .....smash it

Zara151

Hi Rachael, I think asking about challenges is more specialist knowledge comp than the drive competencies.

derailed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764439#Comment_117764439

Hi there. Don't worry and stay relaxed. From my experience and that of some friends and others here the boards at these rounds of interviews are very nice, helpful and professional and are really there to get the best out of you at this stage. The introduction part is very much there to help you get relaxed before you are asked some very straightforward and general questions about your form and application before moving on to competencies. Even in my interview, I muddled during the leadership competency but the board gave me every chance to recover by steering me back on track before seeing through to completion. In terms of pass rates, I can't provide an exact figure but again based on people I know of that have been through it, I would estimate about 75% and obtaining a minimum of 41 in each competency is enough to get through and on to a panel. Any further questions let me know and best of luck tomorrow!

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117765704#Comment_117765704

the boards at these rounds of interviews are very nice, helpful and professional and are really there to get the best out of you at this stage. 

This is absolutely my experience, too. It's natural to be nervous, but try to relax, take your time, sip your water to give yourself a couple of seconds before answering, and answer the question they've asked.

Furby2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764583#Comment_117764583

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117765704#Comment_117765704

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117765831#Comment_117765831

Thanks all! Glad to hear the board are nice and helpful! I have so much information floating around in my head - I just hope I use it at the appropriate time!

taato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117766135#Comment_117766135

+1

thanks to all the contributors for the advice and reassurance. My head is fried at the moment, but hopefully the answers will flow during the real thing. Good luck to those waiting for interview and results. Will let ye know how it goes, one way or the other.

Furby2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117766290#Comment_117766290

Best of luck! Will be a relief to have it over with!

RachaelOD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764439#Comment_117764439

Yes you need a score of 41 in each competency to pass.

I am not sure how many fail, but, your goal should be to hit as many of the sub competencies under each of the competency headings on the competency framework.

I did the interview in 2019 and failed on Leadership and Analysis and Decision Making so for me, these are the more challenging ones.

These are the headings they score you under:

Leadership:

Judgement, Analysis & Decision Making:

Management & Delivery of Results (including Drive & Commitment):

Interpersonal & Communication Skills:

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise & Self Development:

Rainbowstar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764439#Comment_117764439

Hi Furby. I just had my interview late this afternoon. I felt exactly how you do.

I was convinced I'd go blank too with nerves which is VERY unlike me in normal life but hey - we have all been through a pandemic and I think that has changed many of us. Our confidence. Our ability to step outside the comfort zone. Our experience of doing anything different or new, and let's face it, an interview at AP level (if for the first time) is different and new.

I Printed out clear bolded notes/ tips on my competencies in case I blanked and stuck them around me. I suppose this helped me think - well if you blank - you can glance at these. I never even glanced at them or needed to thankfully - but use what ever reassurance you need.

I got very nervous/ anxious whilst the Chair was introducing the process, more than I expected, so I took the opportunity to take deep breaths whilst they were doing that - that intro piece went on a while (thankfully) - and I begun to come around as they finished, and honestly, once I started speaking I flowed the entire way and nerves evaporated.

You have gotten to stage 4 - believe in yourself.

Best of luck to you, hope that helps. 🙏

Cheeseplant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117768111#Comment_117768111

Re sub competencies- it will be the job of the board to ask you probing questions to get you to hit those if your example does not. You may not hit all the subs in your main example but you can say "not in that example, but 'this other time' I did XYZ". The competencies are marked over the entire interview so you may be discussing leadership but hit lots of points under interP and comms.