Temporary Clerical Officer 2021 in the Civil and Public Service (Please read OP)

Banana Republic 1 · 07-01-2021 10:37pm

Daz_ wrote: »

Are some of the positions only for weeks of Employment ?is there not a minimum term ?

Min term 8 weeks I think.

síofra · 07-01-2021 10:42pm

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Just bear in mind that the contract you get would for a fixed period, ie, weeks and up until now at least once the time is up your out. Consider maintaining your other role is it on hiatus anyway.

I hadn't even thought of that - will definitely bear it in mind. Thank you!

GalwayGirl2020 · 07-01-2021 11:19pm

Hi All
I have an interview for the temporary clerical officer 2021 campaign next week. I am alittle nervous. Can anyone offer me any advice? Is the interview all competency based interview? Congrats to all who passed the interview, I hope I will be as lucky. Happy New Year to you all.

síofra · 08-01-2021 3:36pm

GalwayGirl2020 wrote: »

Hi All
I have an interview for the temporary clerical officer 2021 campaign next week. I am alittle nervous. Can anyone offer me any advice? Is the interview all competency based interview? Congrats to all who passed the interview, I hope I will be as lucky. Happy New Year to you all.

Hi GalwayGirl2020,

I'm also interviewing next week and based on what I've read (on this helpful thread mainly - thanks all), it will be a competency based interview. I'm preparing by coming up with detailed examples for each competency required which are listed in here: https://www.publicjobs.ie/restapi/documents/Clerical_Officer_Level.pdf

I'm using the STAR Method to help: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-use-the-star-interview-response-technique

Will also prep a few notes re my strengths and weaknesses, why I want to work in the Public Service, and GDPR (another Boardsie flagged this so going to do a note or two just in case https://youtu.be/j6wwBqfSk-o https://www.dataprotection.ie/

The interview is 20 mins long so I don't think they're going to be interrogating us too much. Regarding nerves, it's natural to be nervous before an interview, just remember that you've got this far already thanks to your results from the tests so you've obviously got something they want:) Hopefully others might have some additional advice/info too. Best of luck!

I am me123 · 08-01-2021 5:04pm

Banana Republic 1 wrote: »

Just bear in mind that the contract you get would for a fixed period, ie, weeks and up until now at least once the time is up your out. Consider maintaining your other role is it on hiatus anyway.

Yes. One would be very lucky to get their contract extended beyond the timeframe set out in the job offer.

I am me123 · 08-01-2021 5:23pm

Is it common for tco contracts not to be extended in most cases anyone know?

Nigel Fairservice · 08-01-2021 5:46pm

I am me123 wrote: »

Is it common for tco contracts not to be extended in most cases anyone know?

I'd say it's normal for TCO contracts not to be extended. TCOs are brought in for specific purposes. When that has concluded you're out the door. If they need more people they just go back to PAS.

I am me123 · 08-01-2021 6:19pm

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

I'd say it's normal for TCO contracts not to be extended. TCOs are brought in for specific purposes. When that has concluded you're out the door. If they need more people they just go back to PAS.

It would make one wonder why people apply for TCO jobs if it is the case more often than not that people dont stand a chance of being kept on for a longer period than is stated in their contract of employment. (ie. 8 weeks/ 12 weeks, etc) Especially when there is the option of applying for the permanent campaign.

NomadicGray · 08-01-2021 6:47pm

I am me123 wrote: »

It would make one wonder why people apply for TCO jobs if it is the case more often that not that people dont stand a chance of being kept on for a longer period than is stated in their contract of employment. (ie. 8 weeks/ 12 weeks, etc) Especially when there is the option of applying for the permanent campaign.

You can apply for both, you've nothing to lose by going for TCO. Its unusual I know but I'm currently on a 10 month TCO contract and every day I'm in there I'm so glad I applied

Nigel Fairservice · 08-01-2021 7:07pm

I am me123 wrote: »

It would make one wonder why people apply for TCO jobs if it is the case more often that not that people dont stand a chance of being kept on for a longer period than is stated in their contract of employment. (ie. 8 weeks/ 12 weeks, etc) Especially when there is the option of applying for the permanent campaign.

Working part of the year suits some people.

mulligja · 08-01-2021 8:26pm

Mame18 wrote: »

I also found out today I passed interview and my
Order of merit is 298˜‚ which county have you applied for?

Applied for Dublin

I am me123 · 08-01-2021 9:35pm

NomadicGray wrote: »

You can apply for both, you've nothing to lose by going for TCO. Its unusual I know but I'm currently on a 10 month TCO contract and every day I'm in there I'm so glad I applied

May I ask where did you get placed?

MLC_biker · 08-01-2021 11:16pm

I am me123 wrote: »

It would make one wonder why people apply for TCO jobs if it is the case more often that not that people dont stand a chance of being kept on for a longer period than is stated in their contract of employment. (ie. 8 weeks/ 12 weeks, etc) Especially when there is the option of applying for the permanent campaign.

First TCO contract I got was 6 months maternity cover, ended up being extended to 10 months. Also its often easier to get a job from a job for some reason

Banana Republic 1 · 08-01-2021 11:18pm

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

I'd say it's normal for TCO contracts not to be extended. TCOs are brought in for specific purposes. When that has concluded you're out the door. If they need more people they just go back to PAS.

I totally concur with this.

Daz_ · 08-01-2021 11:18pm

I am me123 wrote: »

It would make one wonder why people apply for TCO jobs if it is the case more often that not that people dont stand a chance of being kept on for a longer period than is stated in their contract of employment. (ie. 8 weeks/ 12 weeks, etc) Especially when there is the option of applying for the permanent campaign.

100% agree with this

mariaalice · 08-01-2021 11:44pm

People do it to have some vaguely professional job on their CV when they are starting their careers something other than the job they had in Centa while in college, plus there are people who can't work the full year they are working around family responsibilities or its a stopgap for a year or two while they are waiting for something else.

Daz_ · 09-01-2021 12:24am

mariaalice wrote: »

People do it to have some vaguely professional job on their CV when they are starting their careers something other than the job they had in Centa while in college, plus there are people who can't work the full year they are working around family responsibilities or its a stopgap for a year or two while they are waiting for something else.

A stop gap for 8 weeks you mean surely ?

Nigel Fairservice · 09-01-2021 12:30am

Daz_ wrote: »

A stop gap for 8 weeks you mean surely ?

They can range from 8 weeks to over 3 years.

Daz_ · 09-01-2021 1:03am

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

They can range from 8 weeks to over 3 years.

Seems to be a lot of different opinions about that ! Someone earlier was quite adamant 8 week terms were the most common offers

Nigel Fairservice · 09-01-2021 1:12am

Daz_ wrote: »

Seems to be a lot of different opinions about that ! Someone earlier was quite adamant 8 week terms were the most common offers

A lot of them are for 8 weeks but not always. TCOs are used for cover for term timers, maternity/sick leave cover, seasonal spikes in workloads. The length depends on operational need really.

furrybones · 09-01-2021 2:36am

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

A lot of them are for 8 weeks but not always. TCOs are used for cover for term timers, maternity/sick leave cover, seasonal spikes in workloads. The length depends on operational need really.

I initially got a 6 month contract to cover maternity leave, and then had that extended for another 5.75 months. One has to wonder if the 11.75 months was deliberate so that the Unfair Dismissals Act didn't kick in. Regardless, I loved the job and the people and would have worked there forever. I've had shorter contracts since and it was a case of show up, do the days work, and go home.

09-01-2021 8:42am

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

They can range from 8 weeks to over 3 years.

I’ve never heard of anyone yet who has a 3 year TCO contract .

Sweetiesloth · 09-01-2021 11:53am

TCO contracts are also 26 weeks which I've had a few of.

Nigel Fairservice · 09-01-2021 12:08pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I’ve never heard of anyone yet who has a 3 year TCO contract .

Sorry, should have been clearer. They were rolling shorter contracts that amounted to more than 3 years when added together. The person kept getting contract extensions but they stopped before the 4th year because the service wasn't broken and they'd have to give a contract of indefinite duration.

mariaalice · 09-01-2021 7:45pm

Daz_ wrote: »

A stop gap for 8 weeks you mean surely ?

Nobody comments about why someone works a few weeks or months in retail or working for an agency in a financial institution, a temporary clerical officer is no different it's a temporary job.

I know someone who for years worked a series of temporary contracts in the border public services and did not work in the summer due to childcare, it is probably got a lot more regulated these days though.

furrybones · 09-01-2021 10:12pm

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

Sorry, should have been clearer. They were rolling shorter contracts that amounted to more than 3 years when added together. The person kept getting contract extensions but they stopped before the 4th year because the service wasn't broken and they'd have to give a contract of indefinite duration.

This is a common occurrence in my workplace.

I am me123 · 10-01-2021 9:27pm

Hi all,

Just a question,

Say you are offered a TCO contract for a minimum number of weeks, and the contract ends and is not renewed , is a person eliminated from participating in further TCO/ CO competitions in the future?
What are the chances of being reassigned to another department to their original job assignment?
Thank you.

Daz_ · 10-01-2021 9:46pm

I am me123 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just a question,

Say you are offered a TCO contract for a minimum number of weeks, and the contract ends and is not renewed , is a person eliminated from participating in further TCO/ CO competitions in the future?
What are the chances of being reassigned to another department to their original job assignment?
Thank you.

No chance of “reassignment “ by the sounds of it

Mrs OBumble · 10-01-2021 9:46pm

I am me123 wrote: »

Say you are offered a TCO contract for a minimum number of weeks, and the contract ends and is not renewed , is a person eliminated from participating in further TCO/ CO competitions in the future?

Absolutely not. You've had your assignment from THIS panel. Future ones are totally different.

I am me123 wrote: »

What are the chances of being reassigned to another department to their original job assignment?

It may depend on your location: If there are few other departments in the area, it may be low. If there are lots of others, your chances are higher.

Nigel Fairservice · 10-01-2021 10:09pm

I am me123 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just a question,

Say you are offered a TCO contract for a minimum number of weeks, and the contract ends and is not renewed , is a person eliminated from participating in further TCO/ CO competitions in the future?
What are the chances of being reassigned to another department to their original job assignment?
Thank you.

You can apply for other CO/TCO competitions. You are assigned a department based on who is looking for staff when they reach your number on the panel. I'd say the largest users of TCOs are Revenue and The Department of Social Protection given their size. Another factor that can influence where you go is the civil service make up of your county. Dublin has everything so if you're there you could end up anywhere. If you're somewhere like Tipperary you'll probably end up in Revenue or Social Protection.

Temporary Clerical Officer 2021 in the Civil and Public Service (Please read OP)

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