Feeling nervous about applying for a role? Not sure how to prepare for your interview?

We are here to help! On this page, you will find the supports you need, and answers to the questions you may have. For anything else, you can always contact us directly.

Our Hiring Process

Interview Questions

Your Interview Guide

Other Resources

Our Hiring Process

Our hiring process reflects our commitment to building a workplace where everyone can thrive, and all of our recruiters have completed Inclusive Hiring training. We look for diverse talent and future-ready skills, so that we can stay competitive and forward-thinking. Most importantly, we keep the process as easy as possible.

We provide reasonable accommodations at every stage of our recruitment process for disabilities, neurodivergence or medical conditions. If you require any support, please complete this form and a member of our team will be in touch.

 


Apply online

Tell us a little bit about you and your experience by filling in our quick and easy application form – it only takes a few minutes! Share your CV and make sure to follow the job ad requirements to help you stand out. It's normal to feel imposter syndrome at this point, but don't let it hold you back from applying. If you meet some of the criteria and think you would be a great fit for the role, go for it!

 


We review your application

Your application is reviewed by our recruiters and by the hiring manager. They look for candidates whose applications show the best match of skills and experience for the role - so make sure to highlight your strengths and achievements!


Interview

If you are a strong match for the role, we’ll invite you to a competency-based interview. Your recruiter will have more information about the format. Depending on the role, there may be just one interview, multiple rounds, or additional elements like technical tasks or a presentation.

 


Offer

Congratulations, you've got the role! The successful candidate will be contacted by a member of our recruitment team to share next steps and help you begin your journey as a Bank of Ireland colleague. 

Interview Essentials: Questions We Ask

We know interviews can be stressful, especially when you're trying to remember the perfect examples to showcase your skills and experience. We want to help you to prepare better and ease that anxiety.

We've put together a list of common interview questions, categorized by the competencies you might be assessed on. Each competency has different levels (Self, People Manager and Leader), so you can tailor your preparation appropriately.

Every job ad will list the competencies and levels, making it easier for you to find the right sample questions. Best of luck!

Customer First

  • Please give examples of how you have built, developed and maintained good relationships with your customers?
  • Please give an example of how you have enhanced a process or used customer feedback to improve the customer experience.
  • Tell me about a process you put in place to gather Customer insights?
  • Please give an example of how you have contributed towards improving the overall customer focus within a team (or a project you worked on)?
  • In the last 12 months, what initiatives have you led in your team/business unit to embed a focus on the customer?
  • Please describe how you have ensured that customer focus and the highest service standards are consistently maintained across your team/business unit, even when faced with competing priorities?

    • Better Together

  • Give an example where you have worked very closely with colleagues in other units in order to meet an objective.
  • Give a specific example of when you have helped and supported a colleague without being asked.
  • Describe how you have initiated and fostered collaborative relationships to deliver for the business.
  • Describe how you have ensured that your team / others you've collaborated with people feel safe in expressing alternative views?
  • Please describe a time when you actively developed a workplace culture that valued transparency and open communication.
  • Please describe a situation when you overcame conflict/barriers to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional capacity.

    • Be Decisive

  • Please give an example of a time you had to acquire new knowledge or seek external perspectives to achieve an excellent outcome.
  • Please give an example of when you have been able to apply learning from past experiences to design a solution to a current problem.
  • Describe a time when you empowered someone/your team to come up with an idea / continuous improvement initiative.
  • Give an example of when you have actively encouraged your team to apply innovation to their approach to work.
  • Discuss how you have previously fostered a flexible and resilient working environment, conducive to ongoing change.
  • Give an example of an initiative you led which transformed an existing practice or outcome for Customers, Colleagues or Communities.

    • Take Ownership

  • Tell me about a time when something you were accountable for went badly e.g.. major customer issues.
  • Give me an example of when you have set yourself clear plans in order to achieve your objectives.
  • How have you fostered a sense of accountability in the team?
  • Give me an example of when you have successfully eliminated or minimised an obstacle which could have had a negative impact on your work or business area?
  • Tell me about the most unpopular decision you have made in your career?
  • How have you created an environment of accountability for high performance?

    • Manage Risk

  • Describe a time where you made a decision that had risk implications.
  • Describe a time when you identified strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to a problems.
  • How have you enhanced risk awareness in your team?
  • Tell me about a complicated or challenging decision that you have made?
  • What have you done to create a culture of transparent decision making?
  • Describe a situation when you had to make a complex decision with significant risk implications?

    • Interview Essentials: What to Expect on the Day

    Heading to one of our buildings for your interview? It might take place at Baggot Plaza - one of our main admin hubs in Dublin. We know going to an interview in a new place can feel a bit daunting, but don’t worry - we’re here to make the experience as easy as possible. This video will go through everything you need to know for the day, and if you need any other specific supports, you can let us know by filling out this form.

    Other Resources

    Mastering competency-based questions

    Discover strategies to effectively answer competency-based questions.

    Start preparing now

    In-person Interviews

    What to expect on the day and how to prepare for success.

    Learn more

    Online Interviews

    Prepare for your virtual interview with confidence.

    Learn more

    Support Articles

    Your guide to in-person interviews at Bank of Ireland

    Your guide to virtual interviews

    Job Search Success: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

    View all jobs

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