GET THAT JOB!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION _________________________________________________________________ 2
Contents ____________________________________________________________________________ 2
Read This First! _______________________________________________________________________________ 3
The Levels of Government, How Government Works and Who Are Public Servants? _______________________ 4
Why work for the Government? _________________________________________________________________ 6
How Your Application Will Be Assessed: ___________________________________________________________ 8
The Merit Principle ____________________________________________________________________________ 8
The Selection Process _________________________________________________________________________ 11
Who are the People on a Selection Panel? ______________________________________________________ 12
Differences Between Public & Private Sector Processes ____________________________________________ 13
What is an Order of Merit and How is it Used? __________________________________________________ 14
When a Position is Advertised as Several Positions ______________________________________________ 14

THE GOVERNMENT _____________________________________________________________ 16

Contents ___________________________________________________________________________ 16
Federal Government _________________________________________________________________ 18
Australian Public Service employment classifications________________________________________________ 18
Legislation governing employment in the APS _____________________________________________________ 19
Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 19
Permanent Vacancies ____________________________________________________________________ 19
Temporary Vacancies ____________________________________________________________________ 20
Graduate Positions ______________________________________________________________________ 20
Vacation Employment ____________________________________________________________________ 20
Other Positions _________________________________________________________________________ 20
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 20
The Public Service Board Exam _________________________________________________________________ 21
What is Required of an Application ______________________________________________________________ 21
Closing Dates _______________________________________________________________________________ 22
More Information ____________________________________________________________________________ 22

NSW State Government_______________________________________________________________ 23

Legislation governing employment in the NSW State Government _____________________________________ 23
Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 23
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 23
What is Required of an Application ______________________________________________________________ 24
More information ____________________________________________________________________________ 24

Victorian State Government ___________________________________________________________ 25

Legislation governing employment in the VPS _____________________________________________________ 25
Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 25
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 26
What is Required of an Application ______________________________________________________________ 26

The purchase of this publication entitles the purchaser to one copy only. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of the author.

Available from www.publicservicejobs.com.au and www.selection-criteria.com.au

More information ____________________________________________________________________________ 26

Queensland State Government _________________________________________________________ 27

Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 27
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 27
What is required of an application ______________________________________________________________ 28
More information ____________________________________________________________________________ 28

Australian Capital Territory Government _________________________________________________ 29

Legislation governing employment in the ACT Government __________________________________________ 29
Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 29
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 29
What is Required of an Application ______________________________________________________________ 30
More Information ____________________________________________________________________________ 30

South Australian State Government _____________________________________________________ 31

Legislation governing employment in the SA State Government _______________________________________ 31
Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 31
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 31
What is Required of an Application ______________________________________________________________ 32
More Information ____________________________________________________________________________ 32

Tasmanian State Government __________________________________________________________ 34

Legislation governing employment in the Tasmania State Government _________________________________ 34
Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 34
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 35
What is Required of an Application ______________________________________________________________ 35
More Information ____________________________________________________________________________ 36

Western Australia State Government ____________________________________________________ 37

Legislation governing employment in the WA State Government ______________________________________ 37
Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 37
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 38
What is required of an application ______________________________________________________________ 38
More Information ____________________________________________________________________________ 39

Northern Territory Government ________________________________________________________ 40

Legislation governing employment in the SA State Government _______________________________________ 40
Finding Opportunities_________________________________________________________________________ 40
Eligibility Requirements _______________________________________________________________________ 40
What is required of an application ______________________________________________________________ 41
More Information ____________________________________________________________________________ 41

Local Government ___________________________________________________________________ 42

Victoria ____________________________________________________________________________________ 42
New South Wales ____________________________________________________________________________ 42
Queensland _________________________________________________________________________________ 43
Western Australia ____________________________________________________________________________ 43
South Australia ______________________________________________________________________________ 43
Northern Territory ___________________________________________________________________________ 44
Tasmania ___________________________________________________________________________________ 44

The purchase of this publication entitles the purchaser to one copy only. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of the author.

Available from www.publicservicejobs.com.au and www.selection-criteria.com.au

THE APPLICATION ______________________________________________________________ 45

Contents ___________________________________________________________________________ 45
Basic Steps in Applying for a Government Job _____________________________________________ 49
The Top Five Job Search Mistakes _______________________________________________________ 50
The Different Ways you Might be Assessed _______________________________________________ 51
Are you Entitled to Special Treatment? _________________________________________________________ 52

What to do Before Applying ___________________________________________________________ 53

How to Effectively Research the Position _________________________________________________________ 54
Using the Contact Officer to your Advantage ______________________________________________________ 54
Questions to ask a Contact Officer: ____________________________________________________________ 55

The Written Application ______________________________________________________________ 58

Why is it so Hard to Write a Job Application? ____________________________________________________ 59

Application Forms ___________________________________________________________________ 60

How to Answer Specific Questions on an Application Form ___________________________________________ 60

Cover Letters _______________________________________________________________________ 62

Cover letter tips _____________________________________________________________________________ 62
Examples ________________________________________________________________________________ 63
Cover Letters that Address Key Accountabilities____________________________________________________ 67
Length ________________________________________________________________________________ 67
Format ________________________________________________________________________________ 68
Your Letters Content ____________________________________________________________________ 68
Example _________________________________________________________________________________ 69

Resume / Curriculum Vitae ____________________________________________________________ 72

The Difference Between a Resume and a CV ______________________________________________________ 72
Resume Tips ________________________________________________________________________________ 73
Types of Resumes ____________________________________________________________________________ 74
1. Chronological___________________________________________________________________________ 74
Example of Chronological Resume __________________________________________________________ 75
2. Functional _____________________________________________________________________________ 77
Example of Functional Resume _____________________________________________________________ 78
3. Combination ___________________________________________________________________________ 80
Example of Combination Resume ___________________________________________________________ 81
Breaking Your Resume Down into Sections ________________________________________________________ 84
1. Personal Details _________________________________________________________________________ 84
2. Profile_________________________________________________________________________________ 85
3. Education ______________________________________________________________________________ 85
4. Employment History _____________________________________________________________________ 86
5. Referees _______________________________________________________________________________ 87
Optional Sections __________________________________________________________________________ 87
Special Types of Resumes _____________________________________________________________________ 88
Military to Civilian Transition Resume __________________________________________________________ 88
Resume For Someone With Limited Work Experience _____________________________________________ 93
Top Selection Panel Complaints About Resumes ___________________________________________________ 95
Resume Checklist ____________________________________________________________________________ 96

Selection Criteria ____________________________________________________________________ 97

What are Selection Criteria? ___________________________________________________________________ 97
How to Address Selection Criteria _______________________________________________________________ 98
The Different Types of Selection Criteria and how to Respond to Them ________________________________ 100
Skills and Abilities _________________________________________________________________________ 100

The purchase of this publication entitles the purchaser to one copy only. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of the author.

Available from www.publicservicejobs.com.au and www.selection-criteria.com.au

Knowledge ______________________________________________________________________________ 100

Experience ______________________________________________________________________________ 101
Qualifications ____________________________________________________________________________ 102
Work-related qualities _____________________________________________________________________ 102
Five Step Selection Criteria ___________________________________________________________________ 104
Step 1 Understand the Criteria _____________________________________________________________ 105
Why You Should Put the Criterion into Context _______________________________________________ 105
How to Make Sense of a Criterion _________________________________________________________ 106
Deciphering the Criterion Worksheet _______________________________________________________ 107
Step 2 Brainstorm Ideas & Examples ________________________________________________________ 109
Career Journal _________________________________________________________________________ 109
Mind Mapping _________________________________________________________________________ 110
Listing Exercises ________________________________________________________________________ 114
Making your Mind Maps and Lists Meaningful _______________________________________________ 115
Taking an Inventory of What You Have to Offer ______________________________________________ 115
Creating a Skills Inventory Worksheet ______________________________________________________ 118
Step 3 - Write Draft Statements Against Each Criterion ___________________________________________ 119
1. Acknowledge________________________________________________________________________ 119
2. Background _________________________________________________________________________ 120
3. Examples ___________________________________________________________________________ 121
Problems with the STAR, CAR and PAR Approaches ___________________________________________ 125
4. Concluding Statement ________________________________________________________________ 125
Step 4 - Review Your Work __________________________________________________________________ 128
Step 5 Have Someone Else Review Your Work _________________________________________________ 128
Structuring Your Statements Against Selection Criteria _____________________________________________ 129
Competency Frameworks ____________________________________________________________________ 130
What to do When Criteria Are Weighted ________________________________________________________ 132
What Are Work Level Standards? ______________________________________________________________ 132
Selection Criteria Myths ______________________________________________________________________ 133
Critique of Poorly Written Selection Criteria ______________________________________________________ 135
Top Selection Panel Complaints About Responses to Selection Criteria ________________________________ 138
Selection Criteria Tools _______________________________________________________________________ 140
Strategies for Using Examples _______________________________________________________________ 140
Selection Criteria Template _________________________________________________________________ 143
Common Criteria and How to Attack Them ____________________________________________________ 146
Ability to Work as an Individual ___________________________________________________________ 147
Questions to Ask Yourself: _____________________________________________________________ 147
Achieves Results _______________________________________________________________________ 148
Administrative skills _____________________________________________________________________ 149
Analytical Skills ________________________________________________________________________ 150
Attention to Detail ______________________________________________________________________ 151
Change Management ___________________________________________________________________ 152
Communication Skills - Oral ______________________________________________________________ 153
Communication skills - written ____________________________________________________________ 154
Customer Service _______________________________________________________________________ 155
Decision Making Ability __________________________________________________________________ 156
Equity and Diversity _____________________________________________________________________ 157
Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statements (EAPS) NSW State Government _____________________________ 158
Finance _______________________________________________________________________________ 159
Flexibility _____________________________________________________________________________ 160
Influencing skills________________________________________________________________________ 161
Initiative ______________________________________________________________________________ 162
Interpersonal Skills _____________________________________________________________________ 163
Leadership / People Management Abilities __________________________________________________ 164
Liaison Skills ___________________________________________________________________________ 165
Occupational Health and Safety ___________________________________________________________ 166

The purchase of this publication entitles the purchaser to one copy only. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of the author.

Available from www.publicservicejobs.com.au and www.selection-criteria.com.au

Organisational Ability /Prioritising / Time Management Skills ___________________________________ 167

Personal Drive and Integrity ______________________________________________________________ 168
Organisational Values ___________________________________________________________________ 169
Problem Solving ________________________________________________________________________ 170
Project Management ____________________________________________________________________ 171
Productive Working Relationships (Developing and Maintaining) ________________________________ 172
Strategic Thinking ______________________________________________________________________ 173
Teamwork ____________________________________________________________________________ 175
Technical Expertise _____________________________________________________________________ 176
Action Words for Use in Your Application ______________________________________________________ 177
Selection Criteria Starters __________________________________________________________________ 180
Examples of Good Statements Against Selection Criteria__________________________________________ 181
Excellent verbal and written skills and sound interpersonal skills. ________________________________ 182
Proven experience in initiating and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. ________________ 183
Shapes Strategic Thinking ________________________________________________________________ 184
Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based environment. ___________________________________ 185
The demonstrated ability to be flexible, use initiative and a sound work ethic. _____________________ 186
Highly developed analytical and conceptual skills. ____________________________________________ 187
Demonstrated ability to prepare complex reports, policy papers and briefings. _____________________ 188
High level of organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work to meet strict deadlines. ___________ 189
Demonstrated experience in consulting with senior managers and staff at all levels of an organisation. _ 190
An understanding of and commitment to the APS Values, and Department of X Values. ______________ 192
How to Proofread Your Selection Criteria ________________________________________________________ 193

Selection Criteria Checklist ___________________________________________________________ 196

Following Jane: See How Jane uses the 5 Step Strategy ____________________________________ 197
Written Application Final Checklist _____________________________________________________ 215
The Interview ______________________________________________________________________ 216
The 3 Ps to a Great Interview __________________________________________________________________ 216
What to Ask When You Are Contacted For an Interview ____________________________________________ 217
What to Expect at a Public Service Interview _____________________________________________________ 217
Interview Dos ______________________________________________________________________________ 218
Interview Donts ____________________________________________________________________________ 221
Interview Questions _________________________________________________________________________ 222
Quantitative Questions ____________________________________________________________________ 222
Hypothetical (or Situational) Questions _______________________________________________________ 223
Behavioural Questions _____________________________________________________________________ 224
Questions That You Might Ask _________________________________________________________________ 226
How to Prepare for an Interview: ______________________________________________________________ 227
The Interview Cheat Sheet ____________________________________________________________________ 227
Interview Cheat Sheet _____________________________________________________________________ 229
Ten Tips to make a Good Impression and Influence the Panel________________________________________ 230
Frequently Asked Questions About Interviews ____________________________________________________ 232
Using Body Language to your Advantage ________________________________________________________ 234
Overcoming Interview Nerves _________________________________________________________________ 236
Different Types of Interviews __________________________________________________________________ 237
Self Advocacy Interviews ___________________________________________________________________ 237
Telephone & Video Conference Interviews _____________________________________________________ 237
Group Interviews _________________________________________________________________________ 238
Second Interviews ________________________________________________________________________ 238
The Difference Between an Adequate Applicant and the Superior Applicant ____________________________ 239
Practice Interview ___________________________________________________________________________ 240
More Practice Questions ___________________________________________________________________ 247
Adaptability _________________________________________________________________________ 247

The purchase of this publication entitles the purchaser to one copy only. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of the author.

Available from www.publicservicejobs.com.au and www.selection-criteria.com.au

Administrative skills __________________________________________________________________ 247

Attention to Detail ___________________________________________________________________ 247
Budgeting and Finance ________________________________________________________________ 247
Career Ambition _____________________________________________________________________ 247
Communication Skills _________________________________________________________________ 247
Computer skills ______________________________________________________________________ 248
Concern for Impact ___________________________________________________________________ 248
Concern for Standards ________________________________________________________________ 248
Customer Service Focus _______________________________________________________________ 248
EEO, OH&S __________________________________________________________________________ 248
Contracting _________________________________________________________________________ 248
Flexibility ___________________________________________________________________________ 248
General Questions____________________________________________________________________ 248
Initiative ____________________________________________________________________________ 249
Interpret guidelines, instructions, policy and procedures _____________________________________ 249
Inventory Management _______________________________________________________________ 249
Investigate and analyse data ___________________________________________________________ 249
Making Decisions ____________________________________________________________________ 249
Motivation __________________________________________________________________________ 249
Organisational skills, prioritising skills, ability to meet deadlines _______________________________ 250
Problem Solving / Conceptual thinking ___________________________________________________ 250
Procurement ________________________________________________________________________ 250
Strategic Influencing __________________________________________________________________ 250
Supervisory skills _____________________________________________________________________ 250
Teamwork __________________________________________________________________________ 250
Tenacity ____________________________________________________________________________ 250
Tolerance for Stress __________________________________________________________________ 251
Work individually, minimal supervision ___________________________________________________ 251

Referees and Reference Checking ______________________________________________________ 252

Assessment Centres _________________________________________________________________ 253
Cognitive Ability Tests & Psychometric Tests _____________________________________________ 253
Work Sample Tests / Practical Skills Tests _______________________________________________ 253
Peer Assessment ___________________________________________________________________ 254
Work Examples ____________________________________________________________________ 254
Presentations ______________________________________________________________________ 254
The Outcome ______________________________________________________________________ 255
Engagement _____________________________________________________________________________ 255
Promotion _______________________________________________________________________________ 255
Transfer or Reassignment __________________________________________________________________ 255
Receiving Feedback _______________________________________________________________________ 255
Getting Access to the Selection Report ________________________________________________________ 256
Appeals in the Australian Public Service _______________________________________________________ 256
When You Dont Agree _____________________________________________________________________ 257
Independent Selection Advisory Committees in the Australian Public Service__________________________ 258
Workplace Diversity _______________________________________________________________________ 258
Starting and Negotiating Salary _____________________________________________________________ 258

The purchase of this publication entitles the purchaser to one copy only. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of the author.

Available from www.publicservicejobs.com.au and www.selection-criteria.com.au

Bonus Section ________________________________________________________________ 260

Contents __________________________________________________________________________ 260
Maintaining a Positive Job Hunting attitude _____________________________________________ 261
Applying for a position that youre already acting in _______________________________________ 263
Work Level Standards _______________________________________________________________ 264
115 APS Criteria by Level _____________________________________________________________________ 264
APS Level 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 265
APS Level 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ 266
APS Level 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ 267
APS Level 4 ______________________________________________________________________________ 269
APS Level 5 ______________________________________________________________________________ 270
APS Level 6 ______________________________________________________________________________ 271
Executive Level 1 _________________________________________________________________________ 273
Executive Level 2 _________________________________________________________________________ 274
Senior Executive Service ____________________________________________________________________ 276

Managing Your Career: Creating Success ________________________________________________ 277

Setting Career Goals and Meeting Them ________________________________________________ 281
The Value of Professional application Writers ____________________________________________ 284
Career Journal _____________________________________________________________________ 286
Index _____________________________________________________________________________ 294

The purchase of this publication entitles the purchaser to one copy only. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of the author.

Available from www.publicservicejobs.com.au and www.selection-criteria.com.au