Jobs in local government

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daines

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I have recently applied for a job in my local government, I'm just wondering if any body has any idea how long it usually takes to get an interview in this kind of thing, also does everyone get an interview if not do they tell you you've been rejected or just never get back to you. It says that candidates must have enough Irish to complete their job in Irish if needed ie if a member of the public wants to ask a question in Irish. Whats this test like. I really want this job as its something I have always wanted to do and if anyone can give me any information whatsoever about public job interviews would be really appreciated.
 
I doubt if there is any 'one size fits all' rule - it all depends which authority and what role. If there is a long delay, give them a call & see what's happening (but don't do anything that could be seen as canvassing).
 
The Irish test is generally a conversation in Irish and then they will ask you to read a piece of Irish. The conversation is usually conducted by the county council's Irish officer, if they have one.
It is not difficult but you should practice as marks are awarded for your Irish abilities.

What grade and what position are you applying for?
There are very different standards of interview depending on the position.

I have conducted a number of interviews for local government and we have to be very careful to doccument everything and award marks across a range of areas so as to be transparent when/if someone queries our decision.

Usually it follows the line of, eduction, so many makrs awarded for general education such as leaving certificate results, more for third level education and more for any specific course which will add to your role in the county council.
The ECDL is a good computer course to do if you have no other training in computers as it shows you have a basic competence in computers and specific systems can be learnt.

You then get awarded marks for work experience particularly work experience which will benifit your role within the county council.

Hobbies, interestes outside work alos count for something.

A good deal of knowledge about the county council you are applying to is expected.
When you say you always wanted to do I assume you have researched the particular role you are applying for.
HAve you read the annual report, looked at the website, spoken to anyone doing the job already.
There are loads of different jobs within local government from administrations, to libraries, to planning, to wokring on filling in potholes and as such each specific job will have it's own method of recruitment.
You will always receive a reply.
If there are an awful lot of applications you may be short listed for interview based on your application form.
Often there are preliminary short interviews from which a short list of suitable candidates is drawn up and these candidates are then called back for a more in dept interview.
Depending on how many people apply, how long it takes to form a suitable interview board and location etc it may take some time but you will hear back as to whether you are successful or not.
If you want to post more information on the type of job you have applied for maybe I can give more specific information.
 
daines said:
It says that candidates must have enough Irish to complete their job in Irish if needed ie if a member of the public wants to ask a question in Irish. Whats this test like.
Click to expand...

I went for 3 similar jobs (same job title and experience needed) a few months back with 3 different local authorities. I took the Irish language competency test. I did do honours Irish for the leaving...around 15 years ago, and didn't study for the test. I went into the assessment (in Dublin) and met two interviewers. They asked me lots of reasonable questions about myself (how did I get to the interview, how many in my family, where did I go to school and the like) I wasn't terribly fluent, but passed the assessment anyway.

If you pass, then this is valid for any new applications within 3 months.

As for the jobs, no success. Same criteria used for each position. Got interviewed and made 3rd or 4th first time.

Got interviewed, but didn't make the minimum qualification the second time [Felt that one interviewer especially on the panel was agressively against me because of my lack of public sector experience]

Had difficulty understanding how I got 68/100 the first time, and around 40/100 on the 2nd go, especially since I had the experience of having been interviewed for a similar position, albeit by a completely different panel.

Didn't get shortlisted for interview the 3rd time.

Disappointing, but interesting anyway. Did cost me time and money though. Sorry for the rant !
 
Have PM'd you feel free to ask any further questiosn you need and I will be more than happy to help.
 
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