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Public services and administration

Discover the sector that changes the everyday services that affect people’s lives. Public service careers include government and civil service jobs, the emergency and armed forces, social work, public health and more. Find out what these careers involve and how they are different to the private sector.
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Overview

The public sector encompasses the organisations that deliver taxpayer-funded public services ensuring the population is educated, healthy and safe.

The vast range of organisations comprising the sector serves up ample career possibilities, attracting graduates from an array of disciplines. However, a common motive among public sector graduates is the opportunity to do work for the greater good of the population. If you’re ready to apply for graduate jobs, find public sector vacancies here .

TRENDING IN Public services and administration



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Public sector and civil service careers for graduates: government departments.

As a civil servant working in a government department, you can find entry-level jobs at either Executive Officer level or Administrative Officer level depending on your previous experience. Jobs are advertised through national newspapers or through public job websites with application forms being the preferred method of application. Learn more about working in government departments in Ireland.

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Top employers in the Public Sector

Every year, gradireland runs a student survey in collaboration with our research partner Cibyl. Find out about the most popular graduate recruiters in the public sector, as voted for by students and graduates this year.

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Graduate careers advice: you and your public administration and social policy degree

A public administration and social policy degree can help you to influence the decisions that affect your community. Read our graduate careers advice on what you can you with your public administration and social policy degree. Learn about how you can gain work experience in the sector, how to boost your public administration and social policy CV, postgraduate study and where your career can take you.

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Graduate careers advice: you and your economics degree

An economics degree gives you a mix of the type of subject-specific and transferable skills employers seek. Read our graduate careers advice on what you can do with your economics degree. Learn about how you can gain work experience in economics and similar areas, the sectors you can work in, how to boost your economics CV, postgraduate study and where your career can take you.

Employers in Public services and administration

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Our top employers

Industry leaders with a large annual graduate intake.

Featured employers

Active employers looking for graduate talent all year round.

And many more

Other employers who are active on gradireland , regularly posting new opportunities and events during peak seasons.

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FAQs in public services and administration

Each area in the public and civil service concentrates on a specific area of policy or service, such as education, transport, pensions or fraud investigation, and employs people for their specialist knowledge. In the civil service, you may work in a government department or a government agency.

You may need a first- or second-class honours degree. For European traineeships, you will need fluency in an additional European language. The specific skills needed will depend on the area you are working in, but general skills you will find useful are problem solving skills, communication (written and verbal), teamwork and an ability to work on your own initiative. For some jobs, you may also need research and analytical skills and a strong numerical ability.

The public sector and civil service jobs have set grades which you move up, based on your length of service. There are also opportunities to move internally within the public service, gaining more responsibility and money along the way. There is no typical career path, however, because of the diverse nature of the profession and the range of jobs, roles and departments.

More careers advice

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CVs, applications and tests

Learn how to stand out! From writing CVs and applications to practicing aptitude and psychometric tests, find the tools and tips to help you apply with confidence.

Career ideas

Not sure where to begin or the type of job that would suit you? Explore your career choices and find professions that make a difference, options with your degree subject, working abroad opportunities, tips for starting your own business and more.

Finding a job

Find the advice and guidance you need at the start of your career, as well as tips for structuring your job hunt, building your network and showcasing your potential.

Internships

Internships are a great way to build up work experience early on in your career. They can also lead to a graduate job offer.

Interviews and assessment centres

Learn how to succeed in graduate interviews and assessment centres with our advice on answering tricky interview questions, on the essential research you need to do before an interview and on tackling assessment day exercises.

Job descriptions

Discover and build the skills that graduate employers are looking for. Explore career advice and find the tools to help you develop and showcase your potential.

Job offers and working life

Navigating job offers and working life can be tricky early on in your career. Learn all about job offers, what to ask and how to ace your first role.

Skills for getting a job

Discover and build the skills that graduate employers are looking for. Explore career advice and find the tools to help you develop and showcase your potential.

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Get the latest jobs, internships, careers advice, courses and graduate events based on what's important to you. Start connecting directly with top employers today.