Framework-aligned
Examples and answers mapped to the competency model published in your competition's candidate information booklet.
Coaching for Irish local authority competitions, from application form to interview
Application form review and competency interview preparation for county and city council competitions, from Clerical Officer to Director of Services. Run by Sarah Keane, a former senior civil servant who coaches candidates across the Irish public sector.
Form review
Line-by-line feedback on application forms before you submit. Shortlisting is decided on what is written.
Interview practice
Mock competency interviews with structured follow-up probes, so no answer goes untested.
Stage-by-stage
Support from application through shortlisting to final interview panel.
Support through the full competition
Review
Application form feedback against the competency model for your grade.
Prepare
Example bank built from your own experience, mapped to each competency.
Mock
Interviews using framework-style questions and follow-up probes.
Rehearse
Final run under competition conditions close to your date.
Coaching for local authority competitions
Application
Before you submit.
- Form review with written feedback
- Example selection guidance
- Key achievement tightening
- Competency mapping check
Interview
Preparation and practice.
- Mock competency interviews
- Follow-up probe practice
- Presentation coaching where your competition includes one
- Recorded mocks for your own review where you'd like
Materials
What you keep.
- Written feedback archive
- Example bank document
- Stage-by-stage checklist
Why choose DEDICO?
Sarah has coached candidates through Irish public sector competitions since 2024, after a civil service career that took her from Third Secretary to First Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs. She came through competitive interviews as a candidate herself, and conducted many as an interviewer during her years in the private sector, so she knows both sides of the table. That matters if you're moving between sectors: she knows how to draw out the whole of your experience, not just the half the panel expects. In session she hears quickly where an answer is losing marks and tells you plainly. The feedback is specific, direct and warm, and you will leave each session knowing exactly what to change.
What clients say
Sarah was an invaluable sounding board and interview coach for my senior civil service leadership competition. Her mix of experience in the civil service and the private sector was of great benefit, helping me make sure my interview style was incisive, pitched at the right level, and jargon free. I've worked with three different coaches over recent years and Sarah was by far the most helpful.
Sarah's mock interview helped me so much with my preparation. I was much more comfortable and was completely myself. Thanks to Sarah for all her help.
Guides and articles
See all guidesFrequently asked questions
Which local authority competitions do you cover?
Most grades in Irish county and city councils: Clerical Officer (Grade III), Assistant Staff Officer (Grade IV), Staff Officer (Grade V), Senior Staff Officer (Grade VI), Administrative Officer (Grade VII), Senior Executive Officer (Grade VIII), and senior management posts including Director of Services. Technical and professional competitions that use the same competency-based format are covered too. If you're applying for something else, ask, the process is usually similar.
Who runs local authority competitions?
It depends on the grade. Senior posts, including Director of Services and Chief Executive, are run by the Public Appointments Service through publicjobs.ie on behalf of individual councils. Most other grades are run directly by each council's own HR department. Some competitions are open to all applicants and some are confined to serving local authority staff, so check the candidate information booklet for your competition.
What is the panel system?
Successful candidates are placed on a panel from which vacancies are filled as they arise, usually for 18 to 24 months. Placement on a panel is not a guarantee of appointment, so your ranking matters: the work is aimed at the strongest possible performance, not just getting over the line.
How does shortlisting work?
On the written application alone. A board examines your form against criteria based on the requirements of the post, and the standard of the writing itself is assessed. This is why the application review comes first: a strong candidate with a weak form does not reach interview.
What is the SAR method?
Situation, Action, Result. A structured way to answer competency questions that boards are trained to listen for. There's a guide to it on the blog.
Do you do mock interviews online or in person?
Online, over video call, wherever in the country your council is. Mocks can be recorded for your own review where you'd like.
My closing date is in two weeks. Is it too late to start?
Probably not. Most short-window prep is one focused application review and one or two mock interviews, with written feedback in between. Email and we'll tell you honestly if there's time to make a difference.
Will you tell me if I'm not a strong candidate?
Yes. The first call is where we say if the gap between where you are and what the competition needs is something coaching can close. There's no point taking your money to confirm an outcome that was already clear.
Ready to get started?
Book a short call. We will tell you honestly if this is the right fit.
Civil service coaching
Competitions for the Irish civil service, from Clerical Officer to Principal Officer.
See how it worksInterview coaching
Competency-based and panel interviews, with mock sessions and a usable example bank.
See how it works