1. I have forgotten my login details/Other technical issues?
1. How do I reset the password/log in details for my account?
If you have forgotten your username or password, please click on the link forgot my username or password and follow the on screen instructions.
If you have any difficulty logging on following this, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call the Candidate Support Unit at 01-858 7535. If you are calling for assistance, please have your email address, date of birth and PPS number to hand at the time of your call.
2. I can’t find the advertised job on the website?
3. My application form won’t download/open.
Check that Adobe is set as your default PDF reader. It may be that you have not got Adobe 7.0.5 (or higher) set as your default PDF reader. In your settings menu, manually set Adobe as your default PDF reader. This should solve the problem.
If it doesn’t, and you are using the “Google Chrome” web browser, try the following:
If, when you attempt to download the PDF application form, you are seeing a white page containing the message 'please wait...’ you may be encountering an issue with Chrome. Whilst Chrome will download and save the PDF application form, it doesn’t open PDF’s using Adobe, it tries to open PDF’s as a tab within the web browser, causing the PDF to crash.
To work around this issue, please follow these steps;
1. Ensure Adobe has been set as your default PDF Reader.
2. Shut Chrome down temporarily.
3. Navigate to the “Downloads” folder on your computer. The PDF application form will have saved to this location.
4. Double click on the PDF application form icon and Adobe should open it (alternatively, right click on the PDF application form icon and select “Open With” from the drop down menu, then select “Adobe”).
To a lesser extent this problem sometimes occurs with IE and Firefox but the above steps will also resolve it for those browsers.
4. My Candidate ID Number won’t load into the form?
5. What is a Candidate Number?
A Candidate ID is generated when you register on www.publicjobs.ie. It can be found in the personal details page of your www.publicjobs.ie profile. This is a unique number linked to your profile. You can quote this number when interacting with our office. You also have to enter this number on your detailed application form. This must be entered correctly or you will be unable to move on.2. Recruitment Process, Application and Test Advice
1. What are the stages in the recruitment process?
2. How long does the recruitment process take?
Our new "Campaign Updates" section should be a helpful resource to help give you a better indication of the estimated timelines for our campaigns.
3. Can I upload a CV as supporting documentation to my application form?
4. Do I need to sign the application form?
5. How do I access an old application form?
1) Log into your publicjobs account.
2) Click the “My Applications” tab on the left hand side of the page.
All of your previous application forms should be available on this page. You may click on any application form to view or download it.
6. How do I know if my application has been received?
7. Can I withdraw an application?
8. When will the results of my online test be available?
9. When will the results of my supervised test be available?
10. Can I appeal my result if I am unsuccessful?
11. Can I contact someone from the Employing Department/Authority to discuss the role?
If you cannot remember your username or password or experience other difficulties logging on to your publicjobs account, please see Question 1 in our Technical FAQ section.
3. I've an Interview! What happens next?
1. What is the format of the interview?
The interview format may vary from competition to competition. If you are invited to interview, all details will be issued to you in familiarisation material before your interview date.
2. How long is the interview?
Interview lengths vary from competition to competition. If you are invited to interview, all details will be issued to you in familiarisation material before your interview date.
3. Can I have information on the presentation? (What to write/ How to compose/Bring own laptop)
For large volume campaigns, no information can be given out prior to the making of the presentation itself. You will be given the topic of the presentation on the day and allowed one hour preparation time. All material/equipment required for the presentation will be made available to you on the day. For senior level or technical posts, the presentation topic is usually provided in advance. Candidates have to submit their presentations to the recruiting unit in advance and there are no presentational aids allowed.
4. Who is on the Board for the interview?
If you are invited to interview at EO grade or above, the names of your board members will be issued to your publicjobs message board before your interview date.
5. Can I reschedule my interview date/time?
Reschedules will be considered in exceptional circumstances. If you wish to reschedule your interview date or time, you may contact the recruitment unit and request to be put on the reschedule list. You will then be called for interview the next time a batch is called for interview from that particular competition.
It should be noted that there may not be any opportunity to reschedule if you are being called for interview from the final batch of candidates or if it is a very small competition and there is only one round of interviews scheduled. The same reschedule policy applies to stage 2 tests. Each candidate will only be afforded ONE opportunity to reschedule at any given stage of the selection process. If a candidate cannot make their rescheduled interview/test date/time, they will be deemed to have withdrawn from the competition.
6. Can I request feedback from my interview?
Feedback on an interview can be provided by emailing a request to the appropriate recruitment unit (details of which are given in the relevant information booklet).
7. Can I contact the Board for further feedback?
Each interview board has a PAS representative sitting in on it. All feedback and appeals are based on notes made by the PAS representative and the interviewing members of the Board.
4. I've been placed on a Panel! What happens now?
1. When will my place on the panel be reached?
Please note that the number of people ahead of you is no indication of how quickly you may or may not be assigned. The speed at which we work through a panel depends primarily of the number of vacancies occurring in the region for which a particular panel has been drawn up.
2. Are there many more vacancies?
3. When does the panel expire?
4. What happens if I decline or refuse an offer of assignment?
5. I've accepted a job. What happens next?
1. How soon must I take up duty in my new Department after I have been assigned?
2. If I am successful where will I be assigned?
3. Can I choose what Department or office I would like to be assigned to?
4. How long does the clearance process take?
5. Do I need to inform the PAS if my employment circumstances change when I am in the clearance stage?
6. Can the PAS offer assistance in obtaining documentation for clearance?
7. Why must I use my present employer as a reference before assignment?
8. What are the essential documents each candidate must provide for clearance?
9. What are the Garda vetting & foreign police vetting procedures for clearance?
10. What happens next once I am assigned?
11. Can I negotiate my starting salary?
6. Find Us
1. How do I get to Chapter House?
The Public Appointments Services Offices are located at
Chapter House,
26-30 Abbey Street Upper,
Dublin 1, DO1 C7W6
Chapter House is located on Abbey Street Upper in Dublin City Centre, and is easily accessible by public transport including bus, Luas and train. For more information and details on getting to our offices, please see our Contact Us Page
.2. Where in the building are the tests & interviews held?
7. General FAQs
1. Who are the Public Appointments Service?
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is a government organisation that provides recruitment services for the Civil and Public Service. We also recruit for the An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Government and other public bodies.2. What is Publicjobs.ie then?
We understand it can get a bit confusing at times! So basically, Publicjobs.ie is the website for the Public Appointments Service. It’s where we advertise all of our Civil and Public Service jobs and it’s the main access route for people interested in joining the public service.3. What kind of jobs do you have?
We have a huge variety of roles on offer for school leavers, Leaving Certificate holders and college graduates with different levels of experience and interests. We’re sure you’ll find something that’s right for you! Check out our Information Hub to find out more information.4. Do you have part-time jobs?
The majority of our positions are full time; however, we do recruit occasionally for part-time roles as well. The Civil Service is renowned for providing flexible working arrangements.5. Are all of your jobs boring office jobs?
Another day, another myth... you’d probably enjoy our Myth Buster Page. But back to your question... no, not all of our jobs are office based and they’re definitely not boring! Where’s the fun in that? In fact, you could work at anything from an engineer to even a vet!6. I don't know if I want to go to college yet. Do I need a degree to apply for a job?
No, absolutely not. We have a wide range of opportunities available for school leavers, graduates and professionals.You could expect to advance your personal skills in a wide range of ways, and have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more.
7. I have a disability. Can I still apply?
Yes. The Public Appointments Service is an equal opportunities employer which means we do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability or age. We are committed to recruiting people from a range of different backgrounds and we actively support those with additional requirements both during selection and in ensuring a smooth transition into the public service workforce.If you'd like to discuss any aspect of an application or a process you're involved in, please contact our
Disability Champion, Amanda Kavanagh
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
Telephone: (01) 8587655.