NEW 2022 Assistant Principal Competition - Open and Interdepartmental

JSF223

@markyp1988 it seems to be moving quite slow at the moment. I think I saw an earlier comment by @jones saying PAS were up to 4.2 on the inter but still 3.3 on the open. I'm assuming that's the most recent panel. Are you only on the open?

mol_89

Hi everyone, sorry this is a bit different to the campaign above but looking for some advice as this thread has been so helpful! I passed the panel for a campaign for 3 x technical advisor roles that are AP equivalent. I placed OOM 4 and wondering what my chances are of getting a role out of this? Any advice would be great!

Brera

I’m still in shock as I just got the txt from PAS earlier to say I have been called to stage 3 - interview & presentation on July 3rd!

I thought at this stage the panel would be near the end and PAS would be starting a new competition!

markyp1988

@JSF223 unfortunately only on the open panel as an external applicant but seems to not have moved much at all this month.

AlexWH

Hi all,

Just wondering has anyone from 4.1/4.2 Inter D been called for clearance yet?

I am only on the open panel 3.3 OOM 22. Someone on here was 20 on the open OOM and was called 3 weeks ago today!

Seems to have slowed right down. Just wondering have they moved onto Inter D again and paused open?

Thanks

CharteredSoul

Hi everyone. I just wondering anyone in this thread applied for the 2024 revenue AP Open Competition? I opened up a new discussion and all are welcome to discuss further. Thank you 😊

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058354636/revenue-ap-open-competition-policy-and-legislation-2024#latest

is that a button

Hi All,

I received notification today of stage 3 interview. This is my first AP comp so I'm delighted to get this far! I have read the guidance leaflet & just wanted to ask those that have already completed this stage a few q's...

1) Did you find the assignment very difficult? I haven't received it yet but understand I will have 7 days to complete it...Is it very time-consuming?

2) Were the interview q's they asked regarding the assignment very difficult? ..or were they based on info you had researched as part of the assignment anyway?

3) Is there any online literature, etc that I should be reviewing in advance of the assignment that may be of some help?

4) Were all other interview q's based around the competencies?.. or were there extra difficult ones thrown in?

5) Is it other AP's that are on the interview panel..or PO's?

....Finally, assuming a miracle pass! ...does anyone know which depts these positions are for eg audit, etc?

Would like to hear of others feedback & advice as they complete the stage!

Good luck everyone! 🍀

jones

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122221746#Comment_122221746

From what I'd heard they are working on the interdepartmental for batch 4.2 but the open has slowed down and is still on 3.3.

These panels are like the dark arts when it comes to movement but interdepartmental is moving quicker right now.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122232983#Comment_122232983

Congratulations on getting to interview it's great experience no matter what happens. Here's my feedback on your questions for what it's worth but you know yourself boards could have a slightly different approach.

1) I wouldn't say the assignment is difficult but it's definitely time consuming. Don't leave it until the last minute.

2) the questions for me where a mix of general how would you deal with X and then more focused questions based on your recommendations.

3) I don't know of any specific online material apart from looking at the programme for government but it's so big that until you get a topic it's not really of any use.

4) my interview was mostly competency based but you might get the odd general interview question thrown in at times. Eg how would you deal with conflict, difficult staff member etc.

5) The interview board would normally be PO/head of office level or retired POs from my experience of these boards.

Best of luck

is that a button

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122233828#Comment_122233828

Thank you for the detailed feedback! Very useful & really appreciated! 👍

minime21

Hi all, I've just received my interview date… nearing the end of this competition so I'm not feeling very hopeful but I suppose still want to give it my best shot. I failed the interview in the last AP competition but from memory I believe I was only questioned on 4 of the 6 competencies; Leadership, Judgement Analysis and Decision Making, Management & Delivery of Results, Interpersonal and Communication skills. If there's anyone in the forum that has completed the AP interview in this competition could you kindly confirm if it's just these 4 competencies that we are being questioned on? Or is it all 6? Thanks in advance, and best of luck to everyone!

is that a button

Not sure if relevant to this comp but... I saw a comment dated May 2024 on the boards thread for the 2022 PO competition. That panel was due to expire but apparently PAS have confirmed it will be extended until the end of the year. The same may apply (hopefully!) to this comp as they are still calling interviews & as far as I know, no new comp has been announced since.

Disney2003

I'm shocked at being called with only a few months left on the panel. I going to give it a go for the experience. Is there any point is studying the programme for government in huge detail until I get the topics for the presentation? Any feedback/tips gratefully appreciated.

Swilly22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122238758#Comment_122238758

Hi I just checked my results and received 4 scores:

Leadership/management experience
Delivery of results
Judgement, analysis and decision making
Relationships & communication

Best of luck!

Swilly22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122242099#Comment_122242099

Definitely have a look but don't go studying it until you get your topics. Great advice in this thread. Its a lot of work but pick a topic, research the policy and analyse how things are going in that area. Give 2 ideas that could be implemented to progress the action. I'd check how other countries compare. I was asked if I think the Gov are doing enough in my chosen area. Good luck!

Lighting McQueen

Hi Guys

Just wondering did anyone receive an offer yet for Open Batch 4.2?

res1

Hi to everyone still mustering their way through this comp. I just thought I'd see how panel is going. Thankfully Im now 6 months through probation so hopefully Ill be ok. For those still going through the process and getting through the stages well done to you all it is not easy and for those that have not passed the comp/interview/etc keep trying it is absolutely worth it not just because of the pay/family friendly etc benefits of working in the Civil Service but also you could end up in a job you love …. @Swilly22 I see you are still giving valuable advice to everyone …well done you. I agree wholeheartedly with Swilly22 do not sweat the presentation. My advice to anyone remaining is the following: For the presentation topic if you pick a topic you are passionate about it will be easier to sell on the day and you will be more motivated in what you believe in which will allow you to make recommendations for it also. When you look at the topics you are given definitely look at the programme for Government and any associated updated policies etc so you can understand the direction things might be going and then add your ideas/spin…this part of the comp as I understand it is to check your ideas/recommendations and whether you have researched the specific topic enough to know what you are talking about. Pick what you are passionate about and it will make your presentation easier. Dont over think the slides… this can waste a lot of unnecessary time but do try make them look like you put some effort into them….if its visually attractive rather than mundane bullet points it helps to engage the audience and demonstrates the effort. For the interview itself as I have said on this discussion group previously I have absolutely no invested interest or association with my recommendation to go to Brian McIvor website or you tube pages. The material is totally tailored for these competitions and I personally found it hugely useful, I hope it will be useful to whomever remains in this comp. Best of luck to you all and I hope you will be as lucky as I have been to get into a department with work that you enjoy and great colleagues to work with.

res1

Also just to add that if anyone wants to pm me with further queries no problem at all.

speckybecky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122238758#Comment_122238758

hi there,

I did an interview for this comp in early May and can confirm that I was marked under 5 competencies - Leadership: Judgement, Analysis and Decision Making: Management & Delivery of Results (including Drive and Commitment to Public Service values):Specialist Expertise and Self Development: Interpersonal and Communication Skills:

For the SA Exercise, it was the following 3 competencies - Judgement, Analysis & Decision Making:Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Management & Delivery of Results (including Drive and Commitment to Public Service values):

busher07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122252884#Comment_122252884

Hi Lovely to hear that you are in the job and doing well.

The question is for anyone that sat an interview lately.

I have received my interview date and await hearing my presentation topic do they allow 7 days usually to prepare and submit prior to the interview date. I have the interview on the 27th June so hoping to receive more information on Monday.

speckybecky

yes you receive your choice of topic roughly 10 days before interview, and it has to be submitted roughly 2/3 days before the interview, so works out at 7 days to do the exercise. Best of luck!

minime21

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122260884#Comment_122260884

I went back to check dates in the last AP competition; I was given the Report Topics on 12th August (2022), deadline to submit the report and slideshow was 19th August and my interview was on 24th August. Hope that's some use and best of luck to you :-)

Peyella

Hi I'm new to this so please forgive if I dont have all the terms correct. Congrats to everyone who have gotten so far. Sounds extremely hard the whole process. I can only imagine how much work has been put in.

Based on above - when would I forecast a new AP or PO open competition ?

Many thanks.

res1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122260884#Comment_122260884

Yep, the very best of luck to you put the effort in….. it will pay off….

is that a button

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122267085#Comment_122267085

According to the boards.ie thread relating to the last PO comp, PAS has confirmed that they have extended the deadline & so the panel will remain valid until end of Dec 2024. I'm not sure how many candidate batches were formed however comments seem to suggest that position appointments have stalled or slowed significantly. I'm guessing if they run a new PO comp it would be closer to end of year. I'm not sure if this AP comp has also been extended to end of year.

res1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122267085#Comment_122267085

"This panel may remain in place up to 31st October 2024 or until such time as a new panel is in place." Im not sure if this has altered since competition started maybe someone else is more up to speed.

Aside from this, if I was to give anyone a recommendation regarding public jobs at any grade it is to not rely on personal notifications bizarrely I kept getting notifications about medical appointments and I can assure everybody that I wouldnt know my earlobe to my knee so and go onto the website weekly. Positions are regularly updated. Also never be daunted by the job description sometimes they look terrifying. If you have the minimum qualification required go for it. I would never imagined in a million years that I could be in the job that I am in (which I love) now based on the job description.

markyp1988

For anyone looking for an update on the Dublin open panel for batch 3.3: PAS have cleared approx 5 people in the past seven weeks so fairly slow moving.

AlexWH

I am still awaiting clearance. I am 22 on Open OOM 3.3.

Received the below email from PAS on the 05/06

"Thank you for your email.

You will be the next candidate called for clearance from the Open Dublin panel.

Hopefully, we will call you in the next week or so."

Ritournelle

I emailed last week, I am in Batch 4.2 and was told there are 21 ahead of me to be called. Are there approx 30 for each batch panel? Just estimating as I'm 9 and 13

AlexWH

Hi

I got called for clearance yesterday evening.

Provisionally been offered Office of Government Procurement.

I am quite happy with that and have accepted. Just wondering does anyone know about the WFH arrangements?

Thanks

suitcasepink

Hi all, a general question if you don’t mind.. Are these jobs primarily based in Dublin? I’m based in the south of the country and interested in applying at the next opportunity but is there a point if there are no positions in the south?