New 2021 Assistant Principal in the Civil Service

Adnfjke · 20-07-2022 5:11pm

Does anyone know if the same 3 topics have been used for the Strategic Analysis Exercise stage for all candidates throughout this round?

Thanks

Adnfjke · 20-07-2022 5:46pm

Does anyone know if the same research topics for the Strategic Analysis Exercise are being used for all interviewees of this AP round? or are they changed for the different phases?

Thanks

belleray · 21-07-2022 11:43am

Has anyone got any updates on progress of those on the Dublin panel who got results on the 25th of May? I'm mid 30s in order of merit but haven't heard a peep.

btbt90 · 21-07-2022 3:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119367575#Comment_119367575

I asked on Monday. They were around 25 in the oom.

belleray · 21-07-2022 9:36pm

Thanks btbt90, figured things might be slow over the holiday busy period but was starting to get a bit worried

btbt90 · 22-07-2022 1:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119370086#Comment_119370086

I emailed most weeks - they moved 12 one week, 4 the next, 1 and then 6. It's really varies. It's definitely slowing with summer.

capb28 · 25-07-2022 9:04am

Does anyone know if they have started placing people on the Wexford panel that got their results at end of May too?

Holldoll · 25-07-2022 1:34pm

@capb28 yes they have! I received my results 25th of May & panel for Interdepartmental & Open is moving!

crinkley · 26-07-2022 8:32am

Hey can I ask how long are peoples vetting taking?

Marathon Man · 26-07-2022 6:33pm

Does anyone know how long it takes to hear back from a department once assigned?

I was assigned to a department 2 weeks ago and have not heard anything from their HR section re: start dates etc.

Doughnutholer · 26-07-2022 7:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119390691#Comment_119390691

I believe they have four weeks to contact you.

Kenrach · 26-07-2022 8:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119390691#Comment_119390691

Contact the AP clearance email and request the contact name in HR unit

btbt90 · 27-07-2022 12:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119387865#Comment_119387865

Mine took 2 days (internal).

:Keith: · 28-07-2022 10:59am

Hey all,

I was fortunate enough to make it through Round 2 (video interviews that closed on 15 June) and have made it through to the SAE and interviews taking place over the next few weeks. I'm trying to make some prep progress on the competencies before I get the SEA topics, and have a question if anyone can help. Is the specialist knowledge competency taken separately by the interview panel or is it being interwoven throughout the rest of the competencies? I've heard of both happening in previous competitions so just trying to get a better idea.

Apologies if I missed this already being answered. Any further tips anyone has would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Kirbi · 29-07-2022 3:48pm

Hi all,

For anyone tracking progress, I was placed on the panel in the May 25th batch with a number in the 40s (Open), and got my pre-employment check email this afternoon.

I've already responded of course! Does anyone know how long this process may take for a serving Civil Servant (who's not expecting appointment to a Justice area).

Thanks!

Doughnutholer · 29-07-2022 6:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119404147#Comment_119404147

Me too!

kknative · 02-08-2022 12:06pm

Hi All,

Its 3 weeks today since the last round of Stage 2 (Video Presentations - 3 x 3 mins) closed, on the 12th July, so I wonder if we will get the results this week. Sick with nerves that I might get through to next stage and also that I might not.

(Deep breaths required)

parisee88 · 02-08-2022 12:15pm

apart from Carr Communications interview prep - are there any courses for AP preparation that anyone recommends? Public Affairs Ireland offers one on core skills for APs but that seems to be it?

lulabell · 02-08-2022 7:13pm

Hi there, am new to boards. If you’re still interested in help with interview coaching I recommend someone who helped me get EO but I know he does higher grades up to AP. Message me if you want his number. Thanks

mariagirl · 03-08-2022 9:38pm

Hi all, just wondering if anyone might have an indication as to when the results of Stage 2 video interview might issue. I tried to call PAS today but couldn't get through. Was hoping we might have heard today.

kknative · 05-08-2022 10:10am

Hi Mariagirl,

I don't have any particular insight as to when the results will issue, but looking at previous batches, they have been around the 3 week mark.

I assume with holidays this will be delayed.

Maybe today will be the day. 🤞

kknative · 05-08-2022 3:58pm

Results are in and I'm through. Oh my goodness, I cannot believe it. Now the real hard work starts. Interviews starting early Sept.

Brera · 05-08-2022 4:12pm

Latest results are out from the video interviews. I didn’t pass the management experience section. I wish they would provide a bit more detailed feedback for next time. But that’s PAS for you.

Best of luck to everyone who’s off to the next round.

Gadgetman99 · 05-08-2022 4:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119433625#Comment_119433625

Hi kknative, congratulations! I also got through, hopefully the date they gave isnt the real date as I'll be on holidays! Do you mind me asking did you receive different scores for each of your questions?

Seosamh25 · 05-08-2022 4:29pm

Hi All - i'm completley new to this. I got my results (65/65/54) and am through to next stage. can anybody give some practical info on what a SAE entails? any other info about next steps, where exactly are we in the process etc? many thanks

kknative · 05-08-2022 4:46pm

Hi gadget man, yes I have different scores for each question. I used pretty much same examples as last year, but tweaked it because I felt rushed then and scores were down this year. But heyho, I'm through. Now, the hardwork begins but at least etray is gone now. That's where I got dropped last year.

Well done everyone who got through. I think this is my 5th attempt and the furthest i have made it. Hard luck to those who didn't make it this time.

Charles14 · 05-08-2022 11:31pm

Hi all would anyone in the group have any advice on final interview- line of questions on competencies or whether more general questions are asked? Thanks in advance .. very informative group .. so helpful for each stage

Charles14 · 05-08-2022 11:33pm

The topic for Sae is given about one week in advance of interview .. you have a choice of 3. It takes a lot of time to prepare!

Kenrach · 06-08-2022 9:16am

The SAE topics.are.chosen from the programme.for government. As previous posters said you are given choice of 3 approx 7 days before submission date and you have to choose 1 to focus your research and paper on. You are asked to put yourself in the role of an AP and research the topic, narrow down the main points, anaylse the gains, issues etc and present your conclusions in a 2 page report and 5 page slidedeck presentation. I used the SWOT analysis model for.mine. you then have to submit 4 days in advance of your interview. Your interview is 1 hour duration - first 20 mins is the presentation (10mins you present 10 mins the board asks questions) then the interview commences for 40 mins. I'd strongly advise focusing on max 2 policy docs doing research or you'll end up down a rabbit hole. Best of luck everyone 👍

Charles14 · 07-08-2022 4:21pm

Hi Kentach can you give any idea on the line of questioning - is it based on your application or are there general questions thrown in? Also line of questions on the sae? Thanks in advance

Curranjo · 08-08-2022 8:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119433701#Comment_119433701

The date you were given will be when they're starting interviews. I was told Aug 8th when i got results but interview is not until 23rd Aug

Gadgetman99 · 08-08-2022 11:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119443602#Comment_119443602

Thanks Curranjo could I ask when did you get your results and then the message to tell you the date for your actual interview? So I have some idea if I should be contacting PAS to say I'll be on holiday to try and make other date arrangements.

Curranjo · 08-08-2022 11:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119444120#Comment_119444120

I got my results 12th July and invitation to interview on 20th July. A long wait till the interview for me

Kenrach · 08-08-2022 3:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119441441#Comment_119441441

Questions are general in relation to the position you are applying for. For the SAE they ask why you chose the specific policies and the reason for the recommendations, costings etc which is based on the competencies of analysis and decision making skills, interpersonal and commitment to achieving results. I hope this helps

Gadgetman99 · 09-08-2022 9:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119444245#Comment_119444245

Thanks for that. Something that just occurred to me but are the interview and presentations being done virtually or are they in person?

Kenrach · 09-08-2022 4:30pm

All interviews are done virtually

Charles14 · 10-08-2022 8:44am

Thanks Kentach - very helpful

bangorbrix · 10-08-2022 4:13pm

Has anyone had any challenges in terms of contract language? I received the proposed contract from my new department and it has two errors - the salary is front the 2020 payscale and it lists the HRA hours of 37 p/w rather than 35. I’ve flagged to the HR point of contact and they’ve acknowledged the errors and said it’s because they used an outdated contract template, but advised that these will be corrected when I am entered on the payroll, but they seem a bit reticent to give me an updated contract.

I don’t know if I’m being pinickity as I’m not an existing Irish Civil Servant, but I’m worried signing the current contract puts me in a poor negotiating position if there were ever any issues with my pay or working hours in the future. Can anyone advise on their experience - have you been offered contracts using the Feb 2022 payscale and 35 hour working weeks or are other departments also still using old contract templates?

Thanks in advance!

kknative · 10-08-2022 7:29pm

Hi bangorbrix, I work in a HR Office and I wouldn't be too concerned about the out of date contract. We are all bound by the same contract hours and payscales, which is 35 hours per week and the payscale as of 1st Feb 2022. It is very likely that with people working from home and on holidays at the moment, that they just haven't gotten around to updating their template contracts. They wouldn't be the only ones.

All AP's who have never worked in the Civil Service will be on the same banded pay scale, so there wouldn't be negotiations in terms of pay or working hours going forward.

As you state you are an external coming into civil service, you will automatically start at point 1 of the payscale as it is at the date that you start. The current payscales can be found on the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/ef515-application-of-1st-february-2022-pay-adjustments/

Appendix 1A

Assistant Principal €70,399 (PPC)

Hope that helps

Anna1976 · 13-08-2022 3:17pm

Should we use referencing when working on the SAE, to show where we have conducted research etc. No mention of referencing in the guidelines.

Charles14 · 13-08-2022 6:30pm

No requirement for referencing .. some have used it but it’s not mandatory

Kenrach · 13-08-2022 11:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119467938#Comment_119467938

I referenced the policies I researched.

:Keith: · 15-08-2022 12:40pm

Just finished with my interview this morning. Tough experience but fair questioning from the board and they drilled down into examples.

Overall, no idea how it went! Forgot some points in my presentation but hopefully the report is taken into proper consideration as they're contained there. Fingers crossed.

Anyone know when this batch of interviews is over?

Charles14 · 15-08-2022 2:15pm

Hi Keith

Did you have notes relating to your presentation or did you memorise?

:Keith: · 16-08-2022 9:25am

I had prepared a couple of cards in advance but accidently threw them off the table along with the blank ones before starting. Made for a couple of seconds of silent panic at the start.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119476179#Comment_119476179

Betty123. · 16-08-2022 10:44pm

How long before results issue post interview? Tks

Mr. G · 17-08-2022 7:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119455673#Comment_119455673

This!

Also, don’t worry - you’ll probably work more than 35 hours anyway!

:Keith: · 17-08-2022 12:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119483200#Comment_119483200

From previous experience, it's usually within 1-3 weeks after the entire batch of interviews has finished. Judging from other poster's contributions, there's interviews up until 23 August anyway so based on that would expect to hear anywhere from end-Aug to mid-Sept!

westy89 · 22-08-2022 2:02pm

Has anyone from the May OOM who has received a declaration, got their Garda vetting through yet or is it going slow atm?

Curranjo · 23-08-2022 1:07pm

Just finished the interview. Was very tough but fair. They really dont give you enough time to explain your answer in STAR format. its all about the outcome. Not sure if i did enough to pass but felt my report and the Q&A were strong

New 2021 Assistant Principal in the Civil Service

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