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 here 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?
Click on the'Job Search' tab on the homepage of www.publicjobs.ie (see below); enter a Key Word (or Words) for the position in the “Keywords” field (you don’t need to enter a Job Category or Subcategory) and this should return any active Job Advertisements that contain the Key Word(s).
3. My application form won’t download/open.
If you are encountering difficulties downloading or opening the Detailed PDF form;
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.
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?
When entering your Candidate ID number into the application form, please ensure that you are typing it in carefully and correctly.
Please do not copy and paste this ID number from another location as this may insert a blank space before or after a number. This space is counted as a character by our system and would cause your Candidate ID number to be seen as incorrect.
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?
A summary of the stages of the recruitment process for any particular position along with provisional dates is outlined in the information booklet for that position. Different stages of the recruitment process may include some or all of the following; online testing, in-house testing, short listing, preliminary interview, presentations, main interview etc.
2. How long does the recruitment process take?
The recruitment process may comprise of a number of stages, including online testing, on-site verification testing, interview etc. and the expected timeline for the recruitment process for any particular competition will be outlined in the relevant information booklet.
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?
Unless requested, a CV is not required as supporting documentation to your application form. All information required to process your application will be requested on your application form.
4. Do I need to sign the application form?
It is not required for you to sign the application form, typing your name in will suffice.
5. How do I access an old application form?
To 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.
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?
If your application has been completed and uploaded correctly, you will be able to view your application form in the “My Applications” tab of your publicjobs.ie account.
7. Can I withdraw an application?
Yes, you can withdraw your application if the closing date has not yet passed.
8. When will the results of my online test be available?
Depending on the number of candidates sitting the test, results are normally posted to your message board between two to three weeks after the closing date for sitting the online test.
9. When will the results of my supervised test be available?
This also depends on the number of candidates that have made it through. Similar to the online test result, you should be notified between two to three weeks after the last supervised test has taken place.
10. Can I appeal my result if I am unsuccessful?
Most campaigns conducted by the Public Appointments Service are held in accordance with the CPSA code of practise. PAS will consider requests for review in accordance with the provisions of these codes. The review procedures can be found using the following link on the CPSA website or you can select the PDF form: Code of Practise for the Appointment to positions in the Civil Service and Public Service.
11. Can I contact someone from the Employing Department/Authority to discuss the role?
There should be no need to do this as all the information that you need in applying for a position is contained in the information booklet provided with the advertised role. If you are experiencing technical difficulties downloading or opening PDF documents, please see Question 3 in our Technical FAQ section.
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.
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. What is my place on the panel? / How many people are ahead of me on the panel?
Your place on the panel is included with your results. Please check your message board for details. To find out how many are ahead of you, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. quoting both your Candidate ID number and the Campaign ID number.
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?
We cannot say. The Public Appointments Service does not determine the number of vacancies. The number of vacancies in any given Employing Authority/Client Organisation is determined by that particular Department. We fill these vacancies as and when they arise by assigning candidates from the existing panels. Once we have reached your place on a panel, the Public Appointments Service will contact you.
3. When does the panel expire?
Once a panel is in place, it would normally have a lifetime of 18 months. For certain competitions, the lifetime of a panel may be longer, and in certain instances the lifetime of a panel may be extended.
4. What happens if I decline or refuse an offer of assignment?
If an offer of assignment is declined, you are deemed to have withdrawn your application and no further offers will be made to you in relation to that particular post. However, some advertised positions have vacancies countrywide and panels may be drawn up for each location. Where a candidate is placed on more than one panel, refusal of an offer from one panel has no impact on any other panel.
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?
Once you have been assigned by the Public Appointments Service, your start date is something that will be discussed between yourself and the Employing Authority/Client Organisation you have been assigned to.
2. If I am successful where will I be assigned?
To ensure fairness to all candidates, you will be assigned to the first Department that request staff in one of your selected regions according to your order of merit on the panel.
3. Can I choose what Department or office I would like to be assigned to?
You cannot choose where you will be assigned to. To ensure fairness to all candidates, you will be assigned to the first Department in one of your selected regions to request staff according to your order of merit on the panel.
4. How long does the clearance process take?
The clearance procedure can take a number of weeks depending on the level of the security clearance required. Some areas of clearance are outside the control of the PAS such as Garda Clearance and the provision of work references. Generally speaking, the sooner a candidate supplies the required documentation the shorter the clearance process will be.
5. Do I need to inform the PAS if my employment circumstances change when I am in the clearance stage?
Yes. We need the most up-to-date information on all candidates for clearance purposes.
6. Can the PAS offer assistance in obtaining documentation for clearance?
As stated in the information booklet, the onus is on the candidate to provide all document requested by the PAS for the clearance process within the timeframe requested. The PAS cannot offer any assistance on obtaining clearance documentation.
7. Why must I use my present employer as a reference before assignment?
We use your present employer for reference purposes. However, if you are working in the private sector, no contact will be made with your current employer without your permission.
8. What are the essential documents each candidate must provide for clearance?
Each candidate must provide either their original long form birth certificate or passport, required identification documents for the Garda vetting process, and originals of any educational qualifications that are a requirement for the position you have applied for, such as a Leaving Certificate, University Degree Transcripts or other documentation.
9. What are the Garda vetting & foreign police vetting procedures for clearance?
All candidates are required to undergo Garda Vetting before being assigned. If a candidate has lived abroad in any country for a period of six months or more, when they were aged 16 years or older, they will be required to provide a police disclosure from this country to prove they have a clear criminal record.
10. What happens next once I am assigned?
Once you are assigned a member of the HR staff of the department you have been assigned to will make contact with you to discuss your contract, start date and other details.
11. Can I negotiate my starting salary?
All information regarding salary can be found in the relevant information booklet. You can only negotiate your starting salary in exceptional circumstances.
6. Find Us
1. How do I get to Chapter House?
The Public Appointments Services Offices are located at
please see our Contact Us Page.
Chapter House,
26-30 Abbey Street Upper,
Dublin 1, DO1 C7W6
please see our Contact Us Page.
2. Where in the building are the tests & interviews held?
Tests and interviews are held on the first floor of the Public Appointments Service building. Depending on the competition you are taking place in, you may be required to check in on the ground floor or the first floor. Please ask at the reception desk on the ground floor when you arrive and you will be directed to check in at the correct location. For more information, take the 3D tour of our building.
7. Second Level FAQ
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.