Workbooks for Competency & Capability Interviews

Unsure how to prepare answers for your competency or capability interview?

Looking for a clear step-by-step guide to get you interview-ready?

These workbooks support candidates and interviewers preparing answers for capability-based or competency-based interviews across the Irish Public Service.

Having chaired thousands of Civil and Public Service interviews and trained just as many interviewers, I know firsthand what it takes to succeed and where most candidates stumble.

Inside these workbooks you'll find my proven approach laid out in actionable exercises. Each workbook breaks the process into logical steps, complete with worksheets, templates, hints, tips, practical advice, prompts and lists to guide your preparation.

Preparing for a Capability-based Interview?

There are two workbooks designed for capability-based interviews (using the Civil Service Capability Framework).

Mastering Answers for Capability-based Interviews helps candidates understand the new requirements and prepare answers aligned with the framework.

Perfecting Capability-Based Interviewing for Interviewers supports interview board members preparing questions, evaluating responses, and scoring candidates.

Preparing for a Competency-based Interview?

If you are a candidate preparing for a competency-based interview, in the local authorities, HSE, An Garda Síochána or elsewhere, Preparing Answers for Competency-Based interviews supports you in crafting strong answers.

Read more about each of the workbooks below. Click on the picture of each workbook cover to see sample pages, including the table of contents.

Workbook: For Candidates Preparing for a Capability-based Interview

€60.00

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Designed for the Civil Service Capability Framework

This workbook supports candidates preparing for interviews using the new Civil Service Capability Framework. This is already being used at interviews run by publicjobs.ie for all open and interdepartmental competitions and by some Departments in their internal interviews. It replaces the previous competency model and requires a different type of interview preparation.

Created by an Experienced Interviewer

I wrote and designed this workbook to help you prepare answers for this new type of interview. I drew on years of experience of public sector interviewing as well as coaching and supporting candidates for capability-based interviews at all grades.

Step-by-Step Support for Your Preparation

Includes hints, tips, guidance, worksheets and prompts to help you prepare your answers across behaviours, skills, strengths, knowledge, values, motivation and interests. You can write your answers following the step-by-step guidelines in this workbook.

What's Inside the Workbook

For more information about this workbook, including the contents page and other sample pages, please click on the workbook picture.

Workbook: For Candidates Preparing for a Competency-based Interview

€30.00

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Designed for Competency-based Interviews

This workbook supports candidates preparing for interviews using the competency-based models still widely used across the Public Service in Ireland. These models are commonly used in local authorities, the HSE, An Garda Síochána, and other public sector organisations. Preparing strong competency-based answers requires a clear understanding of what interviewers are looking for and how to reflect your experience in a structured, relevant way.

Created by an Experienced Interviewer

I wrote and designed this workbook to help you prepare answers for competency-based interviews. It draws on my years of experience supporting candidates across the Public Service, and on my insights from chairing thousands of interviews. The workbook reflects the real expectations of interview boards and helps you shape strong answers.

Step-by-Step Support for Your Preparation

Includes practical tips, guidance, worksheets and prompts to help you prepare answers that reflect your experience and achievements. You’ll find step-by-step support for identifying strong examples, structuring your answers clearly, and aligning them with the competencies required.

What's Inside the Workbook

For more information about this workbook, including the contents page and other sample pages, please click on the workbook picture.

Workbook: For Interviewers Preparing for a Capability-based Interview

€75.00

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Designed for the Civil Service Capability Framework

This workbook is designed for interviewers serving on boards that use the new Civil Service Capability Framework. This framework replaces the previously used competency model and requires a different approach to interview preparation, question design, candidate evaluation, and feedback. It’s already being used in interviews run by publicjobs for open and interdepartmental competitions.

Created by an Experienced Interviewer

I wrote and designed this workbook to support you in your role as an interviewer for this new type of interview. It draws on my experience of public sector interviewing, coaching candidates for capability-based interviews across all grades and numerous training courses with interviewers and recruitment teams. The workbook reflects the real expectations of interview boards and helps you prepare with clarity and confidence.

Step-by-Step Support for Your Preparation

Includes practical tips, guidance, worksheets and prompts to help you prepare questions that draw out evidence of candidates’ behaviours, skills, strengths, knowledge, values, motivation and interests. You’ll also find support for evaluating and probing answers, understanding the new scoring mechanism, and providing meaningful feedback to candidates.

What's Inside the Workbook

For more information about this workbook, including the contents page and other sample pages, please click on the workbook picture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workbooks

Who are these workbooks designed for?
They’re for candidates preparing for competency‑based or capability‑based interviews across the Irish Public Service, and for interviewers using the Civil Service Capability Framework.

How do I know which workbook I need?

Choose the capability workbook if your interview uses the Civil Service Capability Framework (publicjobs.ie competitions and increasingly used in internal Civil Service competitions).
Choose the competency workbook if your interview uses a traditional competency model (Local Authorities, HSE, Gardaí, many agencies).
Choose the interviewer workbook if you’re serving on a board using the Capability Framework.

Should I choose a workbook or the e‑course?
The workbook guides you in developing strong competency or capability-based answers. The e‑course supports that work and goes broader with guidance on preparation, delivery, nerves, confidence and understanding how interviewers assess performance.

Read this explanation to understand more about the differences between the e-Course and the workbooks and pick the best fit for you. Some clients have used both.

Do the workbooks include examples and templates?
Yes. Each workbook includes prompts, templates, worksheets and sample pages to guide your preparation step by step.

Will the workbook help me choose strong examples?
Yes. The worksheets help you structure your examples in the best way and the many hints and tips provided help you identify relevant, high‑impact examples for your grade and role.

Are the workbooks suitable for all grades?
Yes. The guidance applies across all grades, from entry level to senior roles.

Can I use the workbook without coaching?
Yes. Many candidates prepare independently using the workbook alone. Others combine it with coaching or the e‑course for additional support.

Is the workbook suitable if I haven’t done an interview in years?
Yes. The structure helps you rebuild confidence and understand current interview expectations.

Can organisations buy the workbooks in bulk?
Yes. Bulk discounts are available. Send a query with the quantity and titles you need.

Do you accept purchase orders?
Purchase Orders are accepted. Please send a query or email your Purchase Order Number, workbook name(s) and your organisation's details.

Client Comments

Thank you so much Tina. I never knew there was such a workbook. I wish I had known about it sooner!

Hi Tina, I purchased your workbook on the capability framework. It was a fantastic help to me. I have now found out that I am high on the Order of Merit! I am so delighted with the results and the scores I achieved. I cannot thank you enough for your guidance and the materials you have produced are so easy to use and take the mystery out of what can be a daunting process.

Hi Tina, I just want to say I find your tips so inspirational. Myself and a friend purchased your workbook to get interview ready and havent done an interview in 26 years and dedicated 3 weeks of my life to applying for eo position. I was appointed no11 on panel. Its life changing. Could not of succeeded without all your tips your amazing and empowering. Thank you!

Hi Tina, I got No. 6 on the panel and almost doubled my overall score from the last public service competency based interview. I went from 80 in personal effectiveness in my previous interview to 170 in this latest one! I found our session and your workbook and video resources incredibly helpful. Thank you again - I really appreciate all the help.

Hi Tina, just wanted to say thank you for producing a wonderful workbook. I am finding your workbook to be a great addition in my preparation for my interview on Monday.

Hi Tina, very impressive document, well done. Loads of useful nuggets.

I recently bought one of your workbooks, "Capability-based interview". It is a great resource, full of valuable information.

Fantastic breakdown of the new Capability Framework.

This workbook is about understanding what you are trying to achieve in a Capability-based interview and how to go about doing that – practical and helpful. Thank you.

Thanks Tina. I bet this will be really welcomed by others using it too!

Very informative, great structure.

The pages are all very clear, I love the layout. I found the worksheets great.

I loved the examples. I found those very helpful.

The hints and tips are great.

The workbook is very impressive and I really liked the sample questions.