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NEW 2018 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

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Comments

  • #92
    Crunchymomma
    Registered Users Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    ThumbTaxed wrote: »
    This thread seems to be more about people bigging themselves up merely for confidence boosts from other posters than the application.

    Wow you have 10 years experience. Wow you have managed a small team. Wow you have a degree.

    Fill in the application and you can save that rubbish for the interview

    Your contribution to these threads is always rubbish, go find a real hobby and stop jumping in needlessly just to be negative


  • #93
    relax carry on
    Registered Users Posts: 4,071 ✭✭✭relax carry on


    ThumbTaxed wrote: »
    This thread seems to be more about people bigging themselves up merely for confidence boosts from other posters than the application.

    Wow you have 10 years experience. Wow you have managed a small team. Wow you have a degree.

    Fill in the application and you can save that rubbish for the interview

    For someone who is supposedly beyond this, you seem to have some bitterness issues with these competitions.


  • #94
    hardybuck
    Registered Users Posts: 5,159 ✭✭✭hardybuck


    JAPhys wrote: »
    It certainly seems that way from reading the thread about the last AP competition. The posters on there from the CS speculated that if you were successful in the AP competition you should just apply straight away from the next PO competition because its almost the same selection criteria.

    But PO level is another ball game completely. Much more Ministerial engagement, and you could find yourself in speaking at the PAC and/or having your name mentioned in the national media.


  • #95
    tigger123
    Registered Users Posts: 4,437 ✭✭✭tigger123


    ThumbTaxed wrote: »
    This thread seems to be more about people bigging themselves up merely for confidence boosts from other posters than the application.

    Wow you have 10 years experience. Wow you have managed a small team. Wow you have a degree.

    Fill in the application and you can save that rubbish for the interview

    Why are you so interested in this thread? Are you applying for the role?


  • #96
    tigger123
    Registered Users Posts: 4,437 ✭✭✭tigger123


    I saw that the first online assessment will be available from 21st September: anyone know-how long you have to take it? When is the closing date?


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  • #97
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,278 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    tigger123 wrote: »
    I saw that the first online assessment will be available from 21st September: anyone know-how long you have to take it? When is the closing date?

    You normally have a 5-6 day window in which to take it- with the express advice not to leave it until the last day- as the SSL and other test systems- don't seem to be up to a rush of people from here doing the online testing at the same time......... If you look back on previous competitions- a shocking number of them had unscheduled downtime- and in several cases PAS extended the deadlines in recognition of difficulties people had with the systems. Not sure of the closing date for the assessment- I assume you'll get further information in due course.


  • #98
    tigger123
    Registered Users Posts: 4,437 ✭✭✭tigger123


    The_Conductor wrote: »
    You normally have a 5-6 day window in which to take it- with the express advice not to leave it until the last day- as the SSL and other test systems- don't seem to be up to a rush of people from here doing the online testing at the same time......... If you look back on previous competitions- a shocking number of them had unscheduled downtime- and in several cases PAS extended the deadlines in recognition of difficulties people had with the systems. Not sure of the closing date for the assessment- I assume you'll get further information in due course.

    Cheers Conductor, you're a great help, as always!


  • #99
    Crunchymomma
    Registered Users Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Crunchymomma


    tigger123 wrote: »
    I saw that the first online assessment will be available from 21st September: anyone know-how long you have to take it? When is the closing date?

    The information provided says that stage one assessments are 21-26 September


  • #100
    Riskymove
    Registered Users Posts: 10,885 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    hardybuck wrote: »
    Much more Ministerial engagement, and you could find yourself in speaking at the PAC and/or having your name mentioned in the national media.

    I experienced all these things below PO level


  • #101
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,278 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Riskymove wrote: »
    I experienced all these things below PO level

    As an EO- I was named by RTE, The Irish Times- and a variety of NGOs in relation to several schemes I was assisting in administering.......... (as was my HEO). It 100% certainly happens well below PO level........


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  • #102
    PBR
    Registered Users Posts: 25 ✭PBR


    Riskymove wrote: »
    I experienced all these things below PO level

    It depends on the Department really, the level of responsibility across grades varies significantly by Department. My current Department would be more PO heavy in terms of Oireachtas committees and the like than below PO level but it does depend.


  • #103
    bobbysands81
    Registered Users Posts: 7,198 ✭✭✭bobbysands81


    ThumbTaxed wrote: »
    This thread seems to be more about people bigging themselves up merely for confidence boosts from other posters than the application.

    Wow you have 10 years experience. Wow you have managed a small team. Wow you have a degree.

    Fill in the application and you can save that rubbish for the interview

    Let’s say that’s true... so what?

    Surely if posting here gives someone a small boost then that’s a good thing?


  • #104
    BobCat123
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭BobCat123


    Hi,

    Applying for this position for the first time..just wondering if someone could clarify this for me please.

    On the information booklet,selection process it says that a completion of online assessment questionnaire will take place first and then online assessment test. Are these the same or two different formats?

    Thank you


  • #105
    eigrod
    Registered Users Posts: 7,592 ✭✭✭eigrod


    BobCat123 wrote: »
    Hi,

    Applying for this position for the first time..just wondering if someone could clarify this for me please.

    On the information booklet,selection process it says that a completion of online assessment questionnaire will take place first and then online assessment test. Are these the same or two different formats?

    Thank you

    Effectively the same. The 1st one you complete at home. Based on scores from that, applicants are called in to complete similar tests in PAS office to verify that the ones completed at home were more or less the same scores achieved by the verified applicant.


  • #106
    quad_red
    Registered Users Posts: 5,561 ✭✭✭quad_red


    I did the 3rd sec tests over the weekend (the more practice the better!) and it’s a new company does them now (I presume they’ll do the AP ones as well).

    Different visuals. Each question now had multiple tabs with different charts and data to be answered (on both verbal and numerical reasoning).


  • #107
    Ravelleman
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 3,635 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ravelleman


    quad_red wrote: »
    I did the 3rd sec tests over the weekend (the more practice the better!) and it’s a new company does them now (I presume they’ll do the AP ones as well).

    Different visuals. Each question now had multiple tabs with different charts and data to be answered (on both verbal and numerical reasoning).

    They sound like cut-e tests. If so, these have been in use in some competitions since at least 2016.


  • #108
    Skip13
    Registered Users Posts: 86 ✭✭Skip13


    Is there much difference between cut-e and shl?


  • #109
    WAW
    Registered Users Posts: 229 ✭✭WAW


    quad_red wrote: »
    I did the 3rd sec tests over the weekend (the more practice the better!) and it’s a new company does them now (I presume they’ll do the AP ones as well).

    Different visuals. Each question now had multiple tabs with different charts and data to be answered (on both verbal and numerical reasoning).

    Do you have a link to the tests inc Third Secretary?


  • #110
    SFC1895
    Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭SFC1895


    I was thinking of applying for this, having got through a stage of an internal PO comp recently, but to be honest I’m a below mediocre AO so doubt I’d be up to it


  • #111
    Kournikova
    Registered Users Posts: 243 ✭✭Kournikova


    SFC1895 wrote: »
    I was thinking of applying for this, having got through a stage of an internal PO comp recently, but to be honest I’m a below mediocre AO so doubt I’d be up to it

    I would apply anyway, as with the 2016 comp you may not even get called for an interview till late 2019 or 2020 depending on how you do in the tests and how batches move, and you'll likely have more experience then anyway to discuss in interview.

    I didn't apply in 2016 as I thought I'd be up for it at that point, but wish I had now, even just for the experience at least.


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  • #112
    Aglomerado
    Registered Users Posts: 5,761 ✭✭✭Aglomerado


    Kournikova wrote: »
    I would apply anyway, as with the 2016 comp you may not even get called for an interview till late 2019 or 2020 depending on how you do in the tests and how batches move, and you'll likely have more experience then anyway to discuss in interview.

    I didn't apply in 2016 as I thought I'd be up for it at that point, but wish I had now, even just for the experience at least.
    +1. Apply anyway. I was an EO in 2016 and tried my luck. I got to the interview stage...ok, I failed it but I learnt from the experience and was successful in the later HEO competition.


  • #113
    tattycoram
    Registered Users Posts: 44 ✭tattycoram


    Any idea how to delete a section in the employment history section? I created one more than I need.

    I can't face filling in a fresh form. The copying and pasting from my CV is taking me longer than coming up with the answers!


  • #114
    franklyon
    Registered Users Posts: 614 ✭✭✭franklyon


    Just delete the words and leave it blank? I did the Third Secretary tests too and have a preference for that despite the salary being lower, but will give this a crack as well, Have previous management experience of a multi million...ah will leave that for the interview :-)

    Aitor and people who are serving AP's any advice on how to prepare for the actual tests, specifically the third part.


  • #115
    gmisk
    Registered Users Posts: 31,808 ✭✭✭✭gmisk


    I have been a HEO for a few years so might as well give it a go :)

    Just a quick question under the key achievements (1.Leadership etc) are people putting in one good example in detail for each of the headings or a couple...or as many as possible?


  • #116
    Aitor
    Registered Users Posts: 22 ✭Aitor


    franklyon wrote: »
    Just delete the words and leave it blank? I did the Third Secretary tests too and have a preference for that despite the salary being lower, but will give this a crack as well, Have previous management experience of a multi million...ah will leave that for the interview :-)

    Aitor and people who are serving AP's any advice on how to prepare for the actual tests, specifically the third part.

    The third part is the job simulation right? No advice I’m afraid, bar thinking about how the modern civil service would expect you to handle a situation. Be prepared to lead, but also to delegate, while not exceeding your brief. I realise those are all in tension with one another, but I suppose that’s the point! Whatever you do, don’t try to give the answer you think they want- give the answer you feel is correct. You’re usually better off that way.


  • #117
    SFC1895
    Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭SFC1895


    Aglomerado wrote: »
    +1. Apply anyway. I was an EO in 2016 and tried my luck. I got to the interview stage...ok, I failed it but I learnt from the experience and was successful in the later HEO competition.

    I understand what you’re saying here but I’m struggling as it is and my morale and confidence is through the floor at this point


  • #118
    tigger123
    Registered Users Posts: 4,437 ✭✭✭tigger123


    SFC1895 wrote: »
    I understand what you’re saying here but I’m struggling as it is and my morale and confidence is through the floor at this point

    I know what you mean, but you should apply anyway. It could be a year or 18 months before you go to interview, and things could look a little different for you by then.

    The only sure way to not get ahead in life is to stop trying!


  • #119
    quad_red
    Registered Users Posts: 5,561 ✭✭✭quad_red


    WAW wrote: »
    Do you have a link to the tests inc Third Secretary?

    The link I was sent from PAS is a custom link.

    But as Ravellman says above it's this company supplied the tests:

    https://www.cut-e.com/assessment-solutions/

    They don't seem to offer dummy tests to practise on (although when you take the test as always you get one dummy question to mess around on at the start so you know how it works).


  • #120
    WAW
    Registered Users Posts: 229 ✭✭WAW


    I'm going to fill in the form today. I'm fine with the Personal Statement and the Additional Questions but the Key Achievements are causing me a bit of bother because I feel I'll be repeating the examples between Key Achievements and Additional Questions. Think I'm just drawing a bit of a blank because I have to draw on examples from previous work from several years ago ( took time out of workplace). If anyone can point me to a good link to any tips, I'd be grateful. TIA


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  • #121
    Max Mustermann
    Registered Users Posts: 89 ✭✭Max Mustermann


    New poster/ long time follower of the 2016 thread. Huge thanks for all the advice and info. Any thoughts on what to do with the checkbox at the end of the form? If I hover over it, it says "check to exclude this section" (or something like that) which I assume refers to the Declaration that follows so I'm thinking no I don't want to exclude it, but then when I save the form an error pops up about GDPR unless I check the checkbox, although there is no mention of GDPR on the form. TIA


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