Interview Coaching for Public Sector Candidates

I have a strong track record of coaching clients to interview success, backed by years of experience as an interviewer and shortlisting panel member.

I know what interviewers expect, both in your answers and overall performance, and what’s needed for your application to succeed at shortlisting.

I specialise in Public Sector interviews in Ireland and have helped thousands of candidates succeed at both competency-based and capability-based interviews.

Are You Feeling Anxious About Your Application Form or Interview?

It's normal to be nervous when you're tackling an application form or preparing for a Public Sector interview. Stress can mount when you're:

Unsure what public sector interview or shortlisting panels are really looking for?
Wondering if your competency or capability examples really hit the mark?
Struggling to align your experience with the right competency or capability?
Overwhelmed and not sure where to start?

A customised interview coaching session, focused on your application form or interview preparation, tackles these issues more effectively than general hints and tips. Our one-to-one sessions are tailored to your role, your experience and your unique challenges, so that you can feel calm, confident and fully prepared.

Topics Covered in Interview Coaching

During an interview coaching meeting with me or my colleague, we will help you across some or all of the following areas:

Demystify the interview process and explain what interviewers are looking for
Build your self-confidence and improve your interview performance
Prepare strong competency-based or capability-based answers
Practice your answers and receive targeted feedback at a mock interview
Improve your application form, focusing on the competency or capability answers
Refine your CV and cover letter to reflect your relevant experience
Get ready for your online or virtual interview
Understand and succeed at public sector interviews.

Afterwards, you will receive a practical report listing the main discussion points and details of all the actionable suggestions provided.

Book one-to-one Interview Coaching

One-to-One Interview Preparation Coaching for Job Interview Success

If you want to focus on preparing for the interview, I can help. I've been part of thousands of interview scoring conversations. I've supported candidates in open and closed competitions across the Civil Service, local authorities, academic institutions, and a wide range of public sector agencies.

Tailored Interview Coaching Focused on Your Strengths

Through this tailored one-to-one interview training, I help you focus on the bigger picture, clarifying your key messages and "selling points" so they come through clearly in your interview answers.

I work through interview questions and answers with you and make sure you are able to answer them and to articulate your fit for the role.

Expert Coaching for Capability and Competency Interviews

I explain what interviewers are really looking for in answers and then work with you to help you decide what parts of your experience would work best at interview and for that grade and role.

If you are preparing for the new capability-based interviews in the Civil Service, I help you understand the Capability Framework and prepare your answers for behaviours, skills, strengths, knowledge, values, motivation and interests.

If you are preparing for a competency-based interview using the competency models used elsewhere, like in the local authorities, I work with you to help you prepare or refine your competency answers.

What Clients Say about the Interview Coaching Experience

Clients tell us our advice has really helped them see where additional improvements can be made to their answers and performance and made the difference in them being successful at interview.

Frequently, clients tell us that working with me helped them improve their self-confidence and they felt more ready for their interview after working with me.

Read the testimonials from previous clients on this page to learn more about their feedback.

Realistic Mock Interviews with Expert Feedback

We can work with you to help you improve your interview skills by conducting a practice or mock interview, where you get to answer questions candidates are most likely to encounter for your grade and role. This helps you build confidence and improve your performance. It's a safe space to refine your responses, receive constructive feedback and get interview ready with an experienced interviewer.

A mock interview offers you real time interaction, tailored follow-up questions and nuanced feedback specific to you and your responses. A mock interview reflects the natural flow and unpredictability of real interviews, helping you to improve not just your answers but how you deliver them.

Polish Your Interview Presentation

If your interview includes a presentation, I help you to clarify what the board are looking for, shape your content and delivery and rehearse with feedback.

I also anticipate likely questions your interviewers might ask you and help craft strong answers. This will leave you feeling prepared, polished and confident.

Follow-Up Tailored Report

After the meeting, you will receive a brief, practical report listing the main discussion highlights. It includes concrete suggestions to enhance both your answer quality and interview technique.

Book Your Interview Coaching

Additional Resources to Support Your Interview Preparation

Here are some additional supports to guide your interview preparation:

Workbook: Mastering answers for capability-based interviews - For Civil Service interviews using their new Capability Framework) NEW

Workbook: Preparing answers for competency-based interviews - Step-by-step guidance to help you structure strong responses.

e-Course: Interview Preparation e-Course - Over two hours of video content and worksheets to help you prepare with confidence.

Buy a workbook

Buy interview preparation e-course

One-to-One Application Review to Secure Your Public Sector Interview

If you want to focus on your application form or CV, I can help you. I've been part of thousands of shortlisting scoring conversations. I've supported candidates with their application forms or CVs in open and closed competitions across the Civil Service, local authorities, academic institutions, and a wide range of public sector agencies.

Application Form or CV Advice Tailored to You

Through this focused one-to-one review session, I help you clarify your key relevant skills and experience and ensure that these are suitably reflected in your form or CV.

Refine Your Form or CV to Meet Role and Grade Expectations

Whether you're starting fresh or working from a draft, I’ll help you refine your CV, cover letter or application form to highlight your relevant experience for the role and grade.

This includes helping you write compelling answers to competency, capability, or achievement sections on a public service application form to ensure those answers make best use of your experience and reflect the seniority of the role.

Expert Insights into Shortlisting Criteria

With first-hand insight from my role as a public sector interviewer, I know what scores well at shortlisting.

If you have been asked for a CV and Cover Letter, I will help ensure your documents provide required information for key areas discussed during shortlisting. If you are submitting an application form, I will work with you to ensure it will satisfy shortlisting requirements.

Follow-Up Tailored Report

After reviewing your application form, you will receive a concise report listing the main points needing revision. It includes actionable suggestions to enhance the clarity, relevance and strength of your responses.

Book Your Application Review

Civil & Public Service Interview Successes

Interview coaching clients have been successful in a wide variety of civil and public service roles:

In the Civil Service departments and offices - Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Assistant Principal, Principal Officer, Assistant Secretary General and equivalent grades.

In the local authorities (County Councils) - all of the administrative grades (including Assistant Staff Officer, Staff Officer, Senior Staff Officer, Administrative Officer and Senior Executive Officer), Engineers (all grades), Planners, Fire Officers and Director of Service.

In the HSE clients - most administrative and managerial grades and clinical roles including ADON, CNM, DON, OT, SLT, Psychologist and Pharmacist.

In An Garda Síochána - Trainee, Sergeant, Inspector and Superintendent ranks

In other Public Sector organisations - general grades, ICT, Finance, HR, Architect, Solicitor, Researcher, Regulatory, Director and a wide variety of other professional and technical roles.

Public Service Interview Clients: HIQA, NCCA, UCD, NDA, Solas, AIB, Safefood, CSSO, OPW, SDCC, SFPA, Tailte Éireann, Brothers of Charity Service, House of the Oireachtas, publicjobs, The Pension Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Protection

Public Service Interview Clients: Citizens Information Board, PAI, Office of the Attorney General, City of Dublin ETB, State Laboratory, Fingal County Council, Director of Public Prosecutions, An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council, Courts Service, Arts Council, Central Bank, CSO, Revenue, Civil Service Departments

One-to-One Interview Coaching for Staff

We have been engaged directly by public sector organisations who have contracted us to deliver a number of interview coaching sessions for a group of staff (working with each person on a one-to-one basis).

The coaching sessions are as outlined previously on this page, either focused on interview preparation or on application form completion.

Feedback from the individuals and the client organisations has been excellent.

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Client Comments

Just to update you on the interview – I got panelled – no. 3. So, I am delighted and over the moon. Thanks a mill for your help.

Thanks for all your help Tina. The interview was really tough but your advice paid off and I was offered the job (which I accepted!).

Many thanks for your help with the application form. I was shortlisted for interview.

I wanted to let you know that I was successful at interview and placed 1st in both competitions. I am just delighted and I wanted to thank you - you really helped me to focus on the bigger picture and what my message was and I really feel it helped me in my successful interview.

Hi Tina, Thank you very much for all your great advice and tips yesterday. It was lovely to meet you and thank you for understanding and identifying my needs in a wonderfully relaxed, informative and professional way. I feel more confident now in my preparation for the interview.

Hi Tina, I actually was placed 1st on the panel and I know hand on heart it was down to you that I was focused and articulated my answers well. Thank you so much for your guidance and advice.

Number 2 on panel Tina!

I passed my interview for the Garda! I'm absolutely delighted. Thanks for your help, I wouldn't have passed it without the session we did, it really helped me! Thanks a lot.

Got first on the panel!

Just to let you know that I placed first on the EO panel and I am absolutely thrilled! Thank you very much for your help, it was invaluable.

I'm delighted to have found out that I came 2nd on the panel for the Grade V. Many thanks for all your advice.

I signed contracts yesterday for permanency to commence. Absolutely thrilled as is my colleagues and family. Thank you for your help again.

Thank you for the help and advice you gave me. I was successful for the job we prepared for. Many thanks for your help and couldn't recommend your services highly enough.

Just wanted to let you know that the interviews went well and they offered me the job! Thank you so much for your help preparing for the interview.

A huge thank you to both of your for the help and guidance prior to my interview. I have passed the interview and I'm pretty delighted with that!! Just wanted to thank you both and let you know that it all worked out!

Hi Bernie, I had the interview and got the placement. Your coaching helped a lot with my confidence going into it, thank you.

Hi Bernie, I am delighted to let you know that I was successful in my interview. I placed at Number 2 on the panel and have been offered a post. I had not had any success at interview in the past. I would put lots of effort into preparing but not the right kind. Many thanks for your guidance in this regard. I would not have had the confidence to even do the interview without it. Again, many thanks.

Hi Bernie, thanks so much for the extremely helpful interview preparation session. Almost everything we went through came up today and I'm delighted to tell you I was successful!