Public Sector Testimonials

Maria really helped me in my transition towards a new career using her extremely personable, positive and creative approach. It was truly a pleasure to work with her.

Sharon Byrne, Procurement Team Lead at Bord na Mona

This event was brilliant. A great start to the Networking programme coming in 2022. Maria was just brilliant. I love that she’s so direct in what she says, she gives you actions and good advice to start ‘doing’. Looking forward to the next Networking event.

Sharon Byrne, Ulster Bank

I really loved your lectures. You were so relaxed, so easy to listen to and I had a very special interest in HR as we have a lot of HR issues on a daily basis with our support staff.

Linda Fahy, Section Officer, HSE
Many thanks to Maria for really helping me navigate the public sector process and moving from running my own business to becoming an employee in the Civil Service. Reaching out to get some coaching is well worth it. 

Getting advice on the application and interview process, led me to success I wouldn’t have got there without it. I would highly recommend Maria and her coaching services for any type of career transition.
Kevin Daly

I had previously struggled with a couple of competencies at interview stage, but working with Maria gave me a completely fresh perspective and approach. 

Her guidance helped me to structure my responses with more clarity and confidence, which ultimately got me over the line. I was delighted to place first on a highly competitive panel, and I have no doubt Maria’s coaching played a key role in that outcome.

Cormac O’Hora, Executive Planner, Galway City

At the application stage, Maria’s coaching helped me restructure and refine my curriculum vitae to tell a coherent story of my skills and experience. Pre-interview Maria really honed in on the core elements needed for my presentation and how to ensure I covered these. 

She also helped me consider the types of questions to prepare. I found that each of the sessions really helpful and I enjoyed working with Maria and more importantly I got the job!

Noreen O’Leary, Lecturer, RCSI
Maria has a wealth of experience and a fantastic ability to both positively challenge and impart valuable information. I worked with Maria when I was seeking a new role post Ulster Bank and Maria’s advice, support and interview preparation was instrumental in helping me to secure a new senior leadership role.
Michael Walsh

Maria worked with me on a recent successful job application. From walking me through the application form, to interview preparation and technique, Maria was extremely knowledgeable and a total professional
. I am so grateful to her. I would not have succeeded without her. Highly recommended.

Liz Mulry, Education Officer, PPLI

I like to thank Maria for expert advice and personalised guidance, helping me with my application approach and building my confidence. Thanks to her support, I landed my dream job. Highly recommend her services.

Colin Hindle

Before going to Maria I had numerous competency based interviews but didn’t get the job. I had three sessions with her and it completely changed the way I looked at the interview and myself. This was all in preparation for a job that I knew would be perfect for me. I got the job and I include comment on the feedback from the interview:

 “This candidate performed excellently at interview across the full range of competencies, they presented highly relevant examples demonstrating their ability to perform in the role of a (job). Their level of interview preparation was evident to the board. Their performance during the interview was measured and self-assured.

Jim Clancy, Supervisor, RSA
Working with Maria was invaluable as I transitioned from academia to the public sector. Her guidance at both the application and interview stages was clear, thoughtful and highly practical. She was incredibly responsive and accommodating, offering detailed feedback that helped me refine my approach and gain confidence. 

Thanks to her support, I was invited to both interviews I applied for, received strong scores/feedback in each and ultimately secured a new position. I’m deeply grateful for her expertise and would highly recommend her to anyone navigating a career change or preparing for high-stakes interviews.
Sarah Parker, PhD, Research Manager, LGMA

I had the great pleasure of working closely with Maria as I applied for an exciting new role in my field. From CV development to interview preparation, Maria always brought the perfect balance of knowledge and understanding. Her input and encouragement enabled me to build the skills and confidence I needed to secure my dream role. Working with Maria was a transformative experience that has been central to my success. I recommend Maria to everyone I know and I will continue to seek her expertise as I enter this exciting new phase in my career.

Dr Bridget Johnston , Assistant Professor in Health Research
My coaching session with Maria was invaluable. She asked challenging questions that pushed me to think critically. She gave me the confidence I needed to approach the interview/presentation with a clear mind and a strong sense of self-worth. The practical advice and guidance Maria provided undoubtedly gave me the edge in securing the role.
Michelle O’Donnell , Senior Leader HSE
I couldn’t have landed my dream job without the incredible guidance and support of Maria. From day one, she understood my goals and aspirations, and tailored her advice to suit my unique needs. Her expertise in interview preparation was invaluable, and her positive attitude and encouragement kept me motivated throughout the entire process. I couldn’t be happier in my new job! Thank you once again.
Ana Rita Rocha, Senior Executive Officer, HEA

I contacted Maria in relation to a PO position in the civil service and she gave excellent advice and assistance on interview preparation and what to expect. It had been 5 years since my last interview and to say I was nervous and out of practice was putting it mildly. However, after 3 sessions I had the confidence to get on with the interview and got the role. I would not hesitate to recommend Maria when you decide to go for your next interview or interview preparation.

Maura McKenna, Registrar, Labour Court
A colleague recommended that I contact Maria when applying for one of those rare tenure track academic posts in Ireland. This was sage advice, as working with Maria proved to be a game changer. Maria’s advice, strategic focus and ability to positively challenge and motivate me during the application process and interview preparation was key to helping me perform to my best and to securing a tenure track Assistant Professor position in one of Ireland’s leading universities. Just as my colleague did, I will be recommending Maria to friends, colleagues and strangers alike who are looking to advance their careers and make meaningful change in their professional lives.
Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin

I first met Maria through a series of group career transition webinars during the time I was being made redundant. Throughout the course, Maria shared a lot of practical advice and asked all the right questions, resulting in me finding clarity on what I wanted my next career move to be. 

More importantly, with Marias positive mindset, I was much more aware of my own strengths and abilities at a time when I needed it most.

 I reached out to Maria for additional help with my CV. In what felt like no time at all, Maria helped me to craft my story & created a concise strong CV that I was proud of.

 If you are feeling stuck or uncertain of what is next, Maria’s approach could be exactly what you need to tell your story and create your next move.

Amy Wixted, Customer Experience Manager, An Post
Having experienced some difficulty with the formal panel format interview I felt that I needed a different approach. In discussion with a colleague it was recommended that I speak to Maria Ryan for some advice.

I made contact with Maria and an appointment was organised. I was impressed with how quickly the advice and methodology began to flow. Over the course of just three sessions a clear and definitive tailor made for me, path became clear and it was one that would be ultimately successful. 

I am grateful to Maria for everything and would have no hesitation in recommending her services.
Adrian Callinan, Catering Officer, HSE

Having Maria Ryan as my coach allowed me to tap into my own leadership qualities, skillset and vision. She worked me hard in fun and tough sessions, always pushing me to go a bit further. Ultimately, I am sure it was Maria’s skilled, positive coaching that enabled me to land my dream job of a tenured Associate Professor post.

Prof Sara Burke, Associate Professor, Trinity College Dublin

I recently engaged the services of Maria to assist me in interview preparation for a senior role within the HSE. Maria’s knowledge of the HSE and public service sector is really well understood and this helped with my preparation. The preparation with Maria helped me significantly in securing the role. Thanks again!

Joseph Houlihan, Leadership Role, HSE

Maria was lovely and very approachable; she explained things very well. Gave plenty of opportunity for people to speak/ask questions. Her examples were well thought out and relevant. She is a very good mentor in this area really enjoyable training using role plays to apply to real life work scenarios.

Grainne Mullane, Operations & Services Manager

I worked with Maria while preparing for a public sector management role after many years in the private sector. She helped me identify and clearly communicate my transferable skills and guided me through the competency-based interview process. Maria is approachable, supportive and a pleasure to work with — I left every session feeling more confident and focused. I went on to place No. 1 on the panel for the role. I’d highly recommend Maria for career coaching, CV refinement, public sector application support and interview preparation.

Mairead Herlihy, Business Advisor, LEO

In connection with an upcoming competition for a senior public sector role, I engaged with Maria to get a fresh set of eyes on my application form, and to get some guidance on interview preparation. Her experience and expertise were immediately apparent in the insights she provided, and in following her suggested amendments, I made a number of small but very impactful tweaks to my approach which ultimately resulted in a job offer I was delighted to receive. I cannot recommend Maria highly enough for advice and support in connection with recruitment competitions, she is absolutely superb in this space, and her accessibility and professionalism make her an invaluable ally to have in your corner.

Client working in Public Sector, Principal Officer
I recently had the pleasure of working with Maria to prepare for a public sector interview. Maria offered me a fresh perspective on my unique selling points, refined my timing, and provided voice notes for later review. Her advice not only prepared me or the interview but also transformed my overall mindset and approach. Maria’s guidance significantly boosted my confidence and ability to present myself effectively. The interview was a huge success, far exceeding my expectations. I highly recommend Maria’s services and will not hesitate to work with her again in the future.
Higher Executive Officer, Public Sector

I highly recommend Maria Ryan as an exceptional interview coach. Through her invaluable advice and structured coaching, I was able to transform my career trajectory from a support staff healthcare worker to a Grade VII manager within the HSE. I am truly grateful for her expertise and support.

Danny Downes, Leadership Role, HSE

Private Sector Testimonials

I got the job with Mastercard. Over the moon with it, I started getting through to final round interviews after your session and advice. The structure you provide is excellent, breaking the interview down really helped me to prepare and get a successful outcome. I cannot thank you enough and would highly recommend you.!
Philip Timmins, Software Engineer
Maria is a great listener, very approachable and takes a genuine interest in one’s story. From constructing a LinkedIn profile and creating a professional CV to interview planning, preparation and practise, Maria is a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Maria was an invaluable partner on my employment journey and with her guidance, I was able to successfully transition to a new career.
Barry McKeown, Treasury Manager, Glanbia

The service provided by Maria was professional, compassionate, and highly effective with the feedback from our employees very positive. We highly recommend Maria to any organisation looking to provide meaningful support to their employees during times of change.

Sandra Reid, Senior HR Consultant, KBC Dublin

KBCI Bank Ireland engaged the services of Maria Ryan
to support our employees due to the closure of the Bank. This involved
giving group coaching sessions to different departments throughout the
business.
 The feedback the HR Department received was very
positive and this is demonstrated by the significant number of employees who have moved on to other career opportunities. Maria’s approach is very practical, structured and
comes from an extensive knowledge and experience base. Her awareness of key trends in the talent acquisition market is second to none and her positivity and dynamism are infectious.
 We would highly recommend Maria’s services.

Sue Buckley, KBCI