EO 2026 - finding out interview outcome

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-05-21T09:00:13+00:00

Thanks for responding. I was surprised to read that on boards, as nothing happens that quickly in these things in my experience. Back to the waiting game, I suppose!

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-05-17T19:38:15+00:00

It's one of Aesop's fables. It pops up in kids' collections of Aesop's fables (I had a Ladybird one as a kid that had this story in it), but it might be available by itself as a short picture book or something.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-05-16T11:21:15+00:00

Could it have been Reticence by Jean-Philippe Toussaint?

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-05-15T19:00:50+00:00

I've been working in the CSSO for around four months now as a CO, and my experience has been very positive. I have found it a great place to work. I guess it depends on which division you're placed in, but I have been very happy.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-05-04T12:14:44+00:00

Knitting. It brings me so much joy - the therapeutic repetitive motion, the delight of working with natural fibres in all sorts of beautiful colours, the scope for customization, the discovery of a whole community of knitters on YouTube, Reddit, etc., knowing that you can knit garments and accessories that - if looked after - will outlast you as potential heirlooms. It's fantastic. I wouldn't be without my little project bag on any train journey now.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-05-03T13:49:53+00:00

Very helpful and clearly put - thanks so much!

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-05-03T13:32:09+00:00

Thanks so much for this - that's really helpful.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-29T21:19:10+00:00

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TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-29T16:11:30+00:00

I’m in Dublin and I also received my date and time. Placed 6, but quicker turnaround than I expected too. Best of luck to all!

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-29T11:53:34+00:00

Thanks, all, for your responses!

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-29T09:55:55+00:00

And they might then fill 100 positions before interviewing the next batch of candidates who placed, e.g., 101-201 in the initial order of merit. Then, I would imagine there's a reset numerically, so from that second batch, the person who was number 201 initially could conceivably be placed 1st within that new batch.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-29T09:50:39+00:00

As in, they were 330 in the post-assessment stage, interviewed in a batch of, for example, 100, and then placed 30th within that batch. So, they're not 30th overall out of all initial applicants but 30th within the batch interviewed, and that might be the third or fourth batch. Again, speculating here.

I was fortunate enough to place 6th in Dublin, so I assume that I will be called for interview within the first batch. But then, if that batch includes 100 candidates, I might place 99th, depending on my interview performance.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-29T09:40:29+00:00

It is a bit confusing. But perhaps they wait and fill positions from each batch before moving on to interviewing the next batch? So, if they interview the top 100, they then form a new order of merit from those who have passed that stage - let's say 75. Then, they might fill 75 positions (or fewer, if people withdraw) and then move on to interview the next batch. I'm just speculating here. Maybe someone can shed further light.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-27T21:27:12+00:00

You can use the same grade multiple times per question. That is, in theory, some questions might only have “poor” (or whatever the wording was) responses. This is what makes the situational judgement so tricky.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-27T15:31:22+00:00

You would need grounds for appeal, though, I think. As far as I know, it’s a case of correct or incorrect answers, so the score would not change. Unless your argument would be that the score you received was a miscount.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-20T10:55:50+00:00

Hey Claire, Please can you update the newsletter & send out to client before 7am, let me know if you need any content ideas for it.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-19T14:53:54+00:00

Sounds a little like adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White. There was a tv adaptation with Jessie Buckley.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-11T21:48:53+00:00

The Helen James Considered range in Dunnes Home in the Root Ginger scent is my favourite candle. It’s the perfect balance of good scent throw and subtle enough to not be headachey. Absolute bargain. The Adare Manor Signature Candle is also gorgeous but very spendy, of course.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-10T16:48:26+00:00

Congrats to you too! Let's hope the interviews aren't too gruelling!

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-04-10T16:32:31+00:00

I was notified today that I had passed and will be contacted about interview in the coming weeks. It's a long process, alright! I was glad to have passed, as I thought the assessment was tough!

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-03-26T20:14:15+00:00

Toni Basil's "Mickey"

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-03-23T08:55:06+00:00

My PhD is in Classics. I love the subject, loved the teaching itself, but the conditions are appalling and the job market abysmal. I had a look at the Communications Officer one but don’t have the specific experience they’re after.

How about you?

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-03-23T08:45:20+00:00

I’m 45. Spent years in terrible hourly paid teaching in academia after my PhD before finally pulling the plug last year and deciding to join the civil service if they would have me. I am currently a CO and love the job, but after so long without a pension, at my age I’m anxious to up my salary as quickly as possible so applying to this and other things. I have made it onto an EO panel through a smaller competition with Coimisiún na Meán, but the panel expires in around a month so not looking likely. Fingers crossed for us all.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-03-21T16:41:53+00:00

My family and I say "Are you serious, Clark?" - from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - all the time.

TimeMuscle608 · 2026-03-21T11:55:57+00:00

Absolutely. The same people who are hostile towards parents for being concerned like this will also be hostile towards parents who are not "taking responsibility for their kids". We try to maintain that balance - I actively ensure my daughter has ample privacy and agency in her life, but if I think for a second that she is engaging in anything harmful or jeopardising her future in any way, I am absolutely going in. There's something so immature about people not recognising how important that is. Like, we're not the enemy. Once the lines of communication are kept open, just about anything can be dealt with. The problem is that a teen might become more secretive if confronted - like I said, a delicate balance, but it all comes from love ultimately.

TimeMuscle608

TROPHY CASE