A new Garda recruitment campaign has been launched by An Garda Síochána. Applications can only be made on the Public Appointments Service website.
Deadline for applications: 3.00pm Thursday 8th February 2024
The age limit has been increased for the 2024 campaign.
Information on eligibility and more can be found in the official Candidate Information Booklet
Selection Process will include: Aptitude Tests, Competency Based Interview (via Zoom) & Fitness Test
A career in An Garda Síochána is a challenging but rewarding one. It will change your life and the lives of others – having a personal impact on the community you serve will give you a sense of achievement like nothing else. Being a Garda is a tough job, but is a job worth doing.
Stages of Recruitment and Preparation
The competition for the selection of Garda Trainees attracts a very high number of applicants. Once applicants have successfully applied, they must pass a rigorous selection process before starting their training in Templemore Garda Training College.
Candidates are required to undertake a range of relevant assessment tests and exercises over a number of competitive selection stages. The usual stages of recruitment are as follows:
Stage 1 – Garda Online Assessments
Applicants are first invited to complete a series of online assessments. These assessments are completed at home on a laptop or PC and are remotely proctored (supervised).
Stage 2 – The Competency Based Interview
A competency based interview is a highly structured interview where candidates are informed in advance of a number of key competencies. The competencies which are predefined by the interview board are key skills deemed necessary to serve effectively as a member of An Garda Síochána. Examples of the competencies could include ‘Problem Solving’, ‘Resilience’, ‘Motivation for the Role’ etc. During the interview candidates are asked to give examples of instances when they displayed each of the competencies effectively. Most people pick examples from their previous work experience, voluntary experience, educational experience or a hobby.
Stage 3 – The Physical Competence Test
This is the final stage of the Garda recruitment process and passing cannot be taken for granted, even if you consider yourself fit and healthy as the physical competency test is very challenging. The Department of Justice released figures in January 2023 showing that more than 1 in 6 Garda recruits failed the fitness test, rising to more than 1 in 3 based on reports at the end of February 2023. A Medical Examination, Substance Misuse Testing and Garda Vetting is also carried out at this stage.
If successful in the recruitment process, candidates will be placed on a panel and as spaces become available they will be called to the Garda College in Templemore for training.
Career Services is an education company that specialises in preparing candidates for psychometric exams and competency based interviews for many career recruitment campaigns including An Garda Síochána.
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Prepare for all the recruitment stages with our complete package (currently on special offer): Garda Complete Package
Prepare for the Stage 1 aptitude tests with our Stage 1 preparation course
They are also holding FREE Garda Recruitment information webinars for those interested in finding out more about the career, the eligibility criteria, the recruitment process, preparation and more. Register for free and see upcoming webinar dates on www.careerservices.ie/garda-webinar
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