Title: Applying for a Job in the Qld Public Sector Website Document
1Applying for a Job in the Qld Public Sector
- Presenter
- Shane Bowering
- Director (Red Tape Busters)
2Course Outline
- The Qld Public Sector recruitment and selection
process - Writing a Job Application
- Preparing a Resume and Covering Letter
- Study exercise preparing an application for a
position - Feedback regarding your application
- The Interview Process
- Course Review
3Session 1 - Overview
- Introduce Presenters/Company etc
- Participants Introduction
- Legislative requirements of the recruitment
process - How do positions become vacant how can they be
filled - Selection Panel Processes
- Documents used in the process
- Tasks to be completed prior to deciding to apply
for a Position
4Session 1Introduction
- Overview of Presenter
- Overview of our Company and our services
- Our experiences in the public sector and in
preparing job applications, conducting interviews
etc.
5Equal Opportunity in Employment Act
- Purpose of the Act is to provide equal employment
opportunities (EEO) in the public sector - Agencies required to develop an EEO management
plan - Act refers to target groups, these being women,
ATSI people, people with an ethnic background,
people with a disability
6- Nothing in the Act requires any actions that are
incompatible with recruitment, selection,
promotion and transfer being dealt with on a
basis of merit - This Act is about broadening the opportunities of
the target group to be in a better position to
attain employment on merit
7Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
- An Act to promote equality of opportunity for
everyone by protecting them from unfair
discrimination in certain areas of activity and
from sexual harassment and certain associated
objectionable conduct
8- There is specific mention of a need to ensure
workers are not discriminated against in the
areas of promotion, transfer, training, dismissal
etc. - However an employer may impose genuine
occupational requirements for a position eg. An
Actor, Political Adviser
9Public Sector Management Standard for Recruitment
and Selection
- Primary objective is to detail the framework for
the Qld Public Sector recruitment and selection
processes - The Standard highlights the Qld Governments
commitment to appointment based on merit
10The Standard outlines the principles and
guidelines relating to
- the recruitment and selection process
- selection committee
- selection strategy
- shortlisting
- information gathering
- information verification
- selection recommendation
- selection decision and
- post selection process action
11How do Positions become vacant and how are they
filled?
How do they become Vacant
- Natural Attrition
- Restructures
- Position upgrade
12How are they filled
- Normal recruitment processes
- Compassionate Transfers
- Redeployment
- Equal Transfer
- Temporary Appointments
- Secondments/Relief
13Processes used by Selection Panels
- Ensure the Position Description (PD) is current
- Make changes to the PD
- Advertise the Position
- Determine weightings for the various Selection
Criteria
14- Assess the applications and short-list
applicants - Determine appropriate interview questions and the
most appropriate responses - Determine the selection techniques to be used (at
least 2 required) - Advise applicants who are short-listed of the
Interview and the process to be used
15- Conduct Interview as per required standard and
advice given previously to applicants - Assess Interview results
- Conduct referee checks
- Reconvene to discuss recommendation
16- Submit recommendation and upon approval advise
both successful and non-successful applicants - Supply applicants with Feedback on their
performance - Appeals Process
17Working Documents Used in the Selection Process
18- Position Description
- Question sheet which includes predetermined
responses - Applicant Shortlisting Grid
- Selection Summary Grid
- Interview Guide
19- Reference Recording Sheets
- EEO Statistical Data Sheet
- Vacant Position Nomination Form
20Tasks to be completed prior to deciding to apply
for a position
- Obtain a copy of the PD
- Research the reason for the vacancy and the
likely future requirements of the position with
the Manager of the position - Assess yourself honestly regarding your ability
to meet the selection criteria and perform the
duties of the position
21- Research the organisational structure within
which the vacancy exists - Establish and consider whether the position
offers future promotional opportunities - Ensure you have time available to prepare a
worthwhile application
22Session 2
- Things to be done prior to writing your
application - Basic rules in writing an application
- Generic Selection Criteria
- Addressing Selection Criteria
- The Covering Letter
- Resumes
- Presentation and Fonts
23Things to be done prior to writing an application
24- Ensure you have taken everything into
consideration as per the last session - Obtain and research from documents relating to
the position, eg. Corporate plan, Strategic
Plans, Operational Plans Business Plans etc. - Discuss the specifics of the position with the
previous holder of the position and other people
in the same field
25- Determine if there are any peculiarities
resulting from the geographic location of the
position - Talk to the Manager of the position to determine
where they see the position going and what
priorities they have for the next 12 months - Talk to Clients of the position to gain an
insight into their perceptions of the service
provided
26Basic rules in writing an application
- An application contains the following elements a
covering letter a departmental application form
a statement addressing the selection criteria
individually and a resume, as a minimum - Ensure that you submit at least the departmental
application form prior to the closing date of the
application
27- Utilise as much of the Departments in-house
information as possible in your application - Keep the content succinct and to a readable
volume, ie. Dont make the panel read a novel,
but dont sell yourself short - Ensure your presentation is to the highest level
possible (appearances count)
28Addressing Selection Criteria
- Elementise the criteria to ensure you cover all
of the components in your response - Present your response in a structured manner
which includes the processes used to meet the
requirements of the criteria and examples where
you have demonstrated your ability to perform the
required skills
29- Try to limit your response for each criteria to
no longer than 2 A4 pages - You may wish to demonstrate some strategic
thinking by explaining how you would use these
skills in the new role
30The ESTEP Theory
- Experience
- Skills
- Theory
- Example
- Proof
31The Covering Letter Should include the
following
- Details of the position for which you are
applying - Reference to your experience
- Commitment to the organisations goals
- A desire to be interviewed
32The Resume
- Your Resume should always start with your most
current career details and document back to your
first position - The Resume should contain the following
information - Each position you have held (back 5 to 10 years)
- the period you held the position
- key duties you performed
- achievements you accomplished whilst in the
position - and any other notable information
33- Where possible only give 3 5 examples of each,
ie. The most notable 3-5 achievements etc. - Ensure that if you have had regular or large
periods of relief that these are included in your
resume as a position held - You may also wish to document academic
achievements in your Resume in detail, at a
minimum all qualifications should be documented
34- Training course and other qualifications should
be recorded - Your personal details are required so that
contact can be made with you at any time - Your referees details are required including
their names, positions and contact details (These
should include current and past
Supervisors/Managers)
35Presentation and Fonts
36- Always utilise a header and a footer to
re-inforce your details in the panels mind - Ensure that you use the same structure of fonts
sizes and features throughout the document - Use indents and bullets to emphasise individual
messages
37- Utilise fonts that improve peoples recognition of
your message - Colour where practical will make your application
appear more readable and professional - Your application should always be bound with a
cover sheet and backing board and transparent
plastic cover unless otherwise specified by the
Department. - You should always prepare at least 3 copies of an
application (1 for each panel member)
38- Dont be afraid to do things differently as this
will make you stand out, however always remember
it must be professional
39End of Session 2 Hooroo!!!
40Session 3
- Different Interview Styles in the Public Sector
- Interview Preparation
41Different Interview Styles in the Public Sector
- Casual
- Round Table
- Behind the desk
- Standard Structure
- Hyperthetical/Theoretical
42Interview Preparation
- Ensure you obtain the weightings of each criteria
from the panel when you are advised of your
interview time. Those criteria weighted more
heavily require extra attention. - Try and find out as much as you can about the
interviews/interviewees/process etc from the
panel chair/friends etc - Commence preparing for the interview
43- Re-read your application thoroughly
- Prepare notes on particular aspects of each
criteria that you want to address in the
interview (including examples) - Try and ensure that you bring new examples to the
interview (as opposed to the application).
44- Select some documents/work that you have
previously produced to take to your interview as
proof that you meet the criteria. - Ensure you have examples for all criteria
- Prepare a diagram of some description to use in
the interview - Prepare a Business Plan or Action Plan for the
position
45- Prepare a folder for each selection criteria and
have everything associated with that criteria in
that folder. - Visit the office where your interview will be
conducted to familiarise yourself with its
location - Have a friend do dummy interviews with you so
your comfortable with your content (can be
difficult and is questionable) - Have a summary prepared for the end of the
interview.
46The Interview
- Dress appropriately and professionally for the
interview, for the position you are applying for
and for the environment in which you will be
working. - Arrive early for the interview allowing time
for the nerves to settle. - If questions provided prior to interview take
your time read them thoroughly take notes on
what you want to say.
47- Greet the panel chair
- Thank them for the opportunity.
- Greet other panel members.
- Set yourself up at the interview table.
48- Fill glass of water
- Take your time.
- Speak slowly
- Maintain eye contact
49- Refer to your notes.
- Monitor body language of panel.
- Be positive and project your voice clearly.
- LISTEN!!!!!!
50- Make sure you cover off everything you want to
say with each criteria. - Draw a diagram/use whiteboard if possible and
confident enough. - Deliver your summary.
- Add anything else you had forgotten
51- Have an intelligent question prepared.
- Thank the panel individually
52Be Confident and Project your Confidence
53Session 4
- Reflection on areas of concern
- Summation of key points
- Course feedback
54Summation of key points
- Preparation in each phase of the process is the
key to success - If you want the job you will have to put in
considerable effort to get it - Confidence is essential, both in your own
ability, that you have prepared adequately
application and interview and when dealing with
the Panel or Panel Chairperson
55- Be careful about the jobs you select to apply
for, as you dont want to do all this if your not
right for the position or its not right for you - Select your Referees carefully, they need to be
totally on your side - Start doing projects in your work environment now
that you can use as examples at interview - Keep your application up to date
56- Project confidence at the interview.
- Use the glass of water.
- Again preparation is the key.
57Red Tape Busters
- Job Application Writing
- Interview Coaching
- Quality Assurance
- Consulting to Public Transport Operators
- Consulting to Government
- Training
- Making Government Work for You!!