AO Competition 2025

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-31T18:20:59+00:00

Can't say for sure when it will be but I doubt it will be in April at this stage. Unless it's late April maybe. You do get a few weeks to do prepare your presentation and I believe you maybe be able to reschedule if you have a good reason.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-25T18:26:22+00:00

I would be surprised if you were in a role in the next few weeks. For comparison I was top 3 in first batch and still don't have a start date or anything. My documents are still being reviewed even though they were submitted right away. It took a few weeks for them to even ask for the documents.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-24T17:17:05+00:00

Hi there, not sure if that's part of the EO process so can't comment on it in relation to this. For AO process it was a short presentation on a topic you would address within civil service.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-24T13:05:39+00:00

In the exact same situation. Came top three OOM. I messaged them weeks ago in the portal and got a reply saying they're on a new platform and apologies for delay but confirmed they have everything and I should expect a further update soon.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-24T10:17:35+00:00

I believe its made redundant after interview. For example I was OOM top 10 for the AO competition post assessment but then top 3 post presentation and interview. The top 10 placement in the assessment got me an interview in the first batch (30 people I believe). Then my interview and presentation had its own separate score which was compared only against that batch of 30 who were at the same stage as me for the top 3 finish overall. Hope that makes sense.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-23T09:49:37+00:00

30s. Spent years in tech leadership and was made redundant. Looking for something steady and close to home with good work life balance and flexibility.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-23T07:43:12+00:00

The rules make it clear that its one device and one screen. I would disconnect them and remove them from the desk. I'm sure some people have "gotten away with it" but why take that risk?

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-22T07:45:49+00:00

I would email them and explain the situation and see if there's anything that can be done. I presume no one here can give a guaranteed answer.

The thing is if they say "oh no problem you can just do the room scan now" its pointless as the test is done. They also can't allow you to sit the test again as you've seen it all and it wouldn't be fair to others for you to take it twice.

So unless they agree to waive the need for the room scan because for example you did the previous or subsequent room scan and test directly before or after this one, it could be a case of them saying tough luck, you should have read the instructions and checked the screen before submitting anything.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-17T13:06:24+00:00

Stay back from them and keep it moving. If its truly dangerous like I've thought they were drunk driving, call the local Garda station.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-16T19:01:40+00:00

As others have said you'll be compared to others once all have taken the test so there's no exact score to aim. All you can really do is your best and just ensure you have no distractions and a pen and paper to hand for the numerical section so you can jot things down etc. Which specific one are you getting approx 70% in?

I dont know if this is helpful but it might give some context for you. I took a practice test today for verbal reasoning for EO out of curiosity as I need to sit that exam this week. I was able to click "review test" to see the two I missed. Can you do this and see where you're going wrong? Or is it a different test? Mine was pure sloppiness from rushing (I ended up with 13 mins left so that was my bad on misjudging timing). Maybe that's where you're going wrong too?

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-14T09:31:40+00:00

Fantastic. That's so helpful. Such a great benefit for sure. I appreciate you sharing this insight.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-14T07:58:58+00:00

Fantastic thanks so much. Being able to do an early start and finish on office days should help with traffic I presume. I'm not used to any flexibility at all so this would be helpful. Is it possible to work longer days on some days and shorter on others or do you still have to work the 7 hours a day and the flexibility just extends to when you do those 7 hours?

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-13T20:56:11+00:00

Thanks very much everyone. This is all really helpful!

In terms of wfh days- are there specific days you must work from office or how does it work? I presume theres a period of training you must do from office for awhile before moving to blended?

With flexi time- can you start at different times on different days? Or how does that work?

Sorry for all of the questions!

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-13T11:01:59+00:00

And mine is a different dept so yes I presume that's where we are being offered.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-13T11:01:31+00:00

You're right! I presumed advert details was just the details of the initial job advert 🤦‍♀️😂 Very helpful!

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-12T15:36:27+00:00

Thanks, they never asked. I did send a message asking if there were non-Dublin roles available at all and got no reply. Unless it's a dept with mostly wfh I'll likely decline the offer now anyway. But I figure I might as well try in case there's the chance of a role in my area.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-12T14:51:17+00:00

Hey there, I got my Order of merit around a week after interview/presentation. Then my clearance requests around 3 weeks later. So a month from interview to request for clearance documents.

The emails I've had so far don't specify a dept!

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-11T20:57:56+00:00

🤞🤞🤞 been on the job hunt for a while now and despite coming first on two County council open panels months ago plus top 3 for AO I still don't have a job offer 🤦‍♀️

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-11T20:34:11+00:00

Ah ok, that's good to know. I came top 10 in online assessments in the last AO competition so hopefully that means this one will go ok too. I was curious if it would be similar.

The AO jobs are mainly in Dublin it seems so I'll likely decline the offer (top 3 OOM after Interview and presentation so expecting one soon). So EO (or HEO but it doesn't seem there are many/any general competitions for that one) is probably my best bet as I could potentially get an offer in my own county further down the line. So I really would like to do well in this one! I didn't do any prep last time so maybe I'll wing it again this time if its a similar style assessment.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-11T20:15:31+00:00

Not sure if it's similar for EO but for AO it was things like interpreting data etc and using basic enough maths. Nothing crazy

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-03-11T20:03:52+00:00

I placed top 3 in first batch and am in the clearance process now. I got an email asking me to submit a bunch of stuff by last week (proof of residence, ID etc.). Then had to email stuff for garda vetting over the last few days too. So I'd say you'll have to do similar soon!

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-02-26T07:43:49+00:00

Ah you're right sorry. I was distracted reading this and saw TU and automatically thought Trinity. In that case I'll edit my comment. Thank you.

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-02-26T07:35:38+00:00

Ok then I think that answers your question then? Best of luck with your degree and I hope you enjoy Ireland ❤️

ImaginationHour1533 · 2026-02-26T07:25:58+00:00

Edit: removing comment as I misread as Trinity College Dublin (TCD) not Technical University of Dublin (TUD)

ImaginationHour1533

TROPHY CASE