Coaching you to success at job interviews

I have a strong track record in coaching clients to success at interview. I have many years' experience of being an interviewer and short-listing applications. Therefore, I have first-hand experience of what is required for an application to be successful in the shortlisting process. I know what is expected from your answers and your performance at interview, including online interviews. 
I've particularly specialised in public sector interviews in Ireland, while continuing to work with clients in all other sectors. As well as one-to-one interview coaching, I also work with groups through training courses and webinars.
When working with you, what I do is:
  • Demystify the interview process and explain what interviewers are looking for
  • Build your self-confidence and improve your interview performance
  • Help you prepare answers, especially competency-based or capability-based answers, that work
  • Let you practice your answers and give you feedback about your interview performance at a mock interview
  • Improve your application form, focusing on the competency / achievements section
  • Improve your CV and cover letter, ensuring it reflects your relevant experience
  • Make sure you are ready for your online or virtual interview
  • Help you understand and succeed at public sector interviews.
I meet interview coaching clients in-person and online.  If you'd like to go ahead and book a meeting, please click on "Book Interview Coaching" below. Or if you have a query, please head over to the enquiries and bookings page, which includes the office location in Dublin for in-person meetings. 
Tina Kinirons Office
Office in Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18.
Ways I can help you prepare for your interview:
  • One-to-one interview preparation coaching
  • One-to-one advice for improving application forms or CV / Cover Letters​
  • Interview preparation webinar e-course package  ​​
  • Workbook: Mastering answers for capability-based interviews (for Civil Service interviews using their new Capability Framework) NEW
  • Workbook: Preparing answers for competency-based interviews 
  • Group interviewee training courses.

One-to-one interview preparation coaching


​If you want to focus on the interview itself, I work as an interview preparation coach and can help you prepare for interview. I can help you focus on the bigger picture and figure out what your main messages are, to work through your main "selling points" and make sure these come through clearly in your answers to the interview questions.

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. 

I can work with you to help you improve your interview skills by conducting a practice or mock interview, where you can practice your answers and I can help you to improve your interview performance.

I find myself explaining what interviewers are really looking for in answers and then working with each client to help them decide which work examples would work best at interview.
  • If you are preparing for the new capability-based interviews in the Civil Service, I help you understand the Capability Framework and work with you to prepare your answers for behaviours, skills, strengths, knowledge, values, motivation and interests. You might find the Mastering Answers for Capability-Based Interviews workbook useful.
  • If you are preparing competency answers for the competency models used elsewhere, like in the local authorities, I work with you to help you prepare or improve your competency answers. You might find the Preparing Answers for Competency-Based Interviews workbook useful.

Clients tell me that my 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 me that working with me helped them improve their self-confidence and that they felt more ready for their interview after working with me. 

If an interview presentation is required as part of the selection process, I work with you to clarify what you think the interview board are looking for and then work through the presentation approach and content. You can rehearse your presentation and I will give you feedback. I also try to anticipate questions that your interviewers might be ask you. ​
I meet interview preparation coaching clients in-person, but can meet you online if you prefer. If you'd like to go ahead and book a meeting, please click on "Book Interview Coaching" below. You will have the option of working with me or with my colleague Bernie Stevenson.

One-to-one application form or CV advice


​If you are looking for advice and practical guidelines on how to write CVs or to improve your CV, I can help you. In the public sector, you might want help completing or improving your application form, which I have a lot of experience doing.

​If you want help completing your application form or CV, I will guide you through what works, what the interviewers will be looking for when reviewing your application form and what is being assessed if there is a shortlisting process. You might have a draft application form or CV that you want me to help you improve during the coaching session. You might want some advice and guidance on writing the answers to the competency or capability questions or achievements sections that are part of the application form, to ensure you are highlighting your relevant experience as it relates to the role and that you make it through the shortlisting process.

As an interviewer in the public sector, I have first-hand experience of what scores well during both shortlisting and interviews. I have helped candidates with their applications in open and closed competitions in the Civil Service, in the local authorities, in academic institutions and in a wide variety of public sector agencies and public sector bodies. I work across all the grades, from the most junior to the most senior.
I meet clients for application reviews in-person and online. If you'd like to go ahead and book a meeting, please click on "Book Application Review" below. You will have the option of working with me or with my colleague Bernie Stevenson. 

Bernie Stevenson - Interview coach

I'm delighted to also have my colleague Bernie Stevenson available to work with you. She is delivering interview preparation coaching and application reviews. She is an experienced interviewer and has an excellent track record of coaching clients to interview success.

You can  see her availability when you book online. Bernie is doing all of her meetings online.

Where our clients have had job interview success

We have successfully coached candidates in a wide variety of civil and public service roles. We know what you need to do to prepare and types of questions that are typically asked. 
  • In the Civil Service clients have been successful at 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) clients have been successful at all of the administrative grades (including Assistant Staff Officer, Staff Officer, Senior Staff Officer, Administrative Officer and Senior Executive Officer), Engineers, Planners, Fire Officers and Director of Service.
  • In the HSE clients have been successful at most administrative and managerial grades and also at clinical roles including ADON, CNM, DON, OT, SLT and Pharmacist.
  • In An Garda Síochána clients have been successful at Trainee, Sergeant and Inspector ranks. 
  • In other Public Sector organisations clients have been successful at general grades, ICT, Finance, HR, Architect, Researcher, Regulatory, Director and a wide variety of other professional and technical roles. 

We have also successfully coached clients to job interview success in private sector organisations.
​FREE resources to help you with your interview preparation

Group interview preparation - training courses, webinars and coaching


​I deliver an interviewee skills course specifically designed for candidates going forward for public sector interviews. This course covers both completing the application forms (or CVs) and your performance during the interview, including online interviews. This is a group training course rather than a one-to-one coaching session but covers the same information. 

​Participants have commented on how useful they found the course and that it helped them understand better how to approach competency-based or capability-based questions and how to prepare for their interviews. I deliver this course online also. In addition, I deliver this training course on behalf of Public Affairs Ireland.

​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.

​We provide the organisation with a list of dates and times, whether we are meeting in-person or online, which coach is available at that time (myself or my colleague Bernie Stevenson). They then provide us with a list of the participants and we then meet with each person for a personalised one to one interview coaching meeting at that time. Feedback from the individuals and the client organisations has been excellent.

​We deliver interview preparation webinars designed for candidates preparing for interviews. This is a group-based information session with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. Information about what's included in those webinars and how to buy the Interview Preparation Webinar e-Course are here.
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!
What I appreciated most about this interviewee training course was Tina’s presentation and real-life experience. And she answered all the questions we asked.
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!
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