r/AusPublicService • u/duplicitous-flame • 3d ago
Interview/Job applications Advice to get into public service
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone who is currently employed in the public sector could give advice on how they got their role?
I’ve applied to every relevant public service role since graduating and never been contacted back or asked for an interview.
For context I have a masters degree and applied for marketing, design and comms roles in my early career.
I’ve since had about 10 years experience in the private sector and have project, product, executive and governance roles with a good amount of success.
Throughout my life I’ve always applied for relevant level roles the government has listed, tailored my application and used the STAR method but no luck.
What’s the trick!?
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u/ggyyakl 3d ago
Sounds like a problem with your application, most likely. Pool all your applications together now and read through them, by reading them alone, do they describe your achievement, gains through actions? Then ask your friends to do the same. Also, as an outsider myself who got in, luck plays a big role as well. Good luck
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u/duplicitous-flame 3d ago
Thank you, not a bad idea. Do you know if hiring managers have preferred formats with resumes and cover letters? (Ie not more than 1 page etc)
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u/ggyyakl 3d ago
Big federal agencies normally have strict formatting requirements, follow the instructions.
You will find that the word and page allowances are tight, as they are designed to filter out weak applicants. It is not easy to accurately describe your in a short paragraph or few pages. Do text interviews with yourself and/or with a friend, try to describe the example you will be using in your application, in 2 minutes, then you will start figuring out what to include, and not, in your application.
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u/Wild-Kitchen 18h ago
can confirm the word allowances are tight. Was in a recruitment round not too long ago and we were instructed to ignore anything that flowed over the page, even if it was just one word. Part of being suitable candidate for the role we were recruiting for was being able to communicate effectively....
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u/jhau01 3d ago
In my experience, as someone who has chaired multiple selection exercises, your resume is less important than your cover letter / pitch / statement of claims (however the position description refers to it).
In your pitch, you must provide examples that demonstrate how you possess the required skills for the role.
Typically, nowadays, you do not write a separate example for each skill/key selection criteria. Rather, you provide an example that encompasses a few different skills, such as (for example) a time when you showed leadership, communication skills and change management.
The position description will tell you the number of words, such as 500, 700 or 1,000 words. Make sure you stick to the word limit.
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u/Mondoweft 3d ago
Word counts are hard limits.
Some panels will draw a line at the word count, and not read further. Others will toss out an application where the applicant clearly cannot comprehend/follow a clear direction to stay within a word count.
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u/Red-Engineer 3d ago
This is true, OP. I'm in NSW Govt. All I assess you on is your evidence against the focus capabilities of the role, sometimes I don't even look at your CV.
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u/duplicitous-flame 3d ago
thank you! That is helpful
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u/BuilderArtistic584 3d ago
Seconding this and adding where we’ve set a specific page limit for a CV also. I have some grace for 3 or 4 pages where we ask for 2 or 3 but if you give me 9 pages you will be cut!
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u/Red-Engineer 3d ago
Have you asked government managers in your network to review your applications?
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u/Calm-Matter-5010 3d ago
Government jobs are scarce post the COVID hiring spree and are in high demand due to deteriorating economic conditions. Things go in cycles, might just have to wait until things improve.
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u/duplicitous-flame 3d ago
Oh interesting, has the government cut back on roles? The private sector is also looking the same. Massive redundancies and limited roles.
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u/taf37 2d ago
Depends on department, and even within that area. I work in an area that’s stable, another division is shrinking/being culled, and a third area is actively recruiting due to funding uptick.
But overall, there is a feeling of keeping the APS same size / shrinking. As Calm-Matter-5010 said, the jobs are in high demand. Had a few colleagues run recruitment panels last few months and they were getting triple-5x the normal amount of application - they think the feeling of deteriorating economic stability means people want government jobs as once you’re permanently employed, typically a very stable job.
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u/GincessPeach 3d ago
This is probably something you don't want to hear, but I think sometimes it is just being the right person for the right job at the right time.
However, having no luck getting through to a work sample ot interview tells me there could be something off with your pitch.
That said, gov media and comms roles are hotly contested. I have seen multiple roles go to people who have the same background but have come in through another stream to get a foot in the door, create a good reputation and then apply for these roles when they come up internally. These applicants are able to demonstrate the background and experience as well as a deep knowledge of the department and thier subject matter. That is difficult to compete with.
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u/merriman99 3d ago
I changed career from private sector with a qualification and 10 years experience in a particular field. I moved to an unrelated field, starting over. I joined the contact centre im my dept.at APS3 level, seeing it as easy entry point with my skillset. Just coming up to 18 months since i started and i've transferred to new role at APS4 level and now have idea of where i'd like to end up. Yesterday i was merit listed for APS 5 and an internal EOI for APS 6 roles for my region was posted.
This is the journey i'm on. Its not for everyone. It may not work for you, but i got my foot in the door and have found progression quicker than i would have expected.
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u/duplicitous-flame 3d ago
Oh that’s a smart idea! Thanks for sharing. I might need to look at some roles with transferable skills that are lower than my current level.
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u/Wild-Kitchen 18h ago
APS3 call centre jobs are quite the door in to the organisation. You're not expected to know much coming in, given all the training you'll need to do the job effectively, given a broad set of knowledge that can apply to other roles within the organisation, has high turn over. That's where I would be looking if you could swing it on an APS3/4 salary for a year.
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u/Optimal_Prize_7559 3d ago
Talent pool is the best way, it’s likely to be a 12 month contract but it gets your foot in the door
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u/AngryAngryHarpo 3d ago
No luck at all?
Are you getting interviews? Merit pooled? Or just hearing nothing back at all?
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u/duplicitous-flame 3d ago
Sadly just the automatic reply at 2am that states I was not selected but thank you for your application.
I’ve even contacted hiring managers and chatted with them for additional context so I can tailor my application.
Maybe they can sense my desperation 😅🤣
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u/PuzzledActuator1 3d ago
Look at the ILS for the level you area applying for. They look for specific behaviours as well as experience and expect you to be able to demonstrate those behaviours within your application, often directly referencing them is best.
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u/spacecampcadet 2d ago
I’ve recently moved into NSWPS, private sector equiv would have been a 7/8. I started in a 1/2 in June, moved to a 3/4 in August and am finalising a 5/6 from November. I’ve moved super quickly but you need to step back to step up.
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u/First_Reply8272 1d ago
Wow, I'd love to know more about your journey. How were you able to progress this fast? Did you start as a temp?
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u/spacecampcadet 1d ago
I got into a 1/2 and a 3/4 talent pool.
The hiring manager for the 3/4 actually offered me a 1/2 temp contract a couple of months after the talent pool interview.
I was in that role for about 6 weeks when another unit reached out on the recommendation of someone else who did my 1/2 interview and knew I had recently started with the department. That’s a project team so another temp contract.
The 5/6 was an open recruitment for an ongoing role so I threw my hat in the ring and got lucky.
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u/First_Reply8272 1d ago
That's wonderful. I am nearing the finalisation of a 5/6 temp role (6 months with possibility of extension) with a highly likely positive outcome. Have never worked in the public sector before. Do you think its common for temp roles to be extended and/or be scooped up by other teams in the agency?
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u/spacecampcadet 16h ago
I guess it depends on the reason for the temp contract. Many in my initial 1/2 role were due to people on extended leave before retiring so those temp contracts keep getting extended until the role owner eventually retires.
My 3/4 move was to a unit that got increased funding so I think I just got lucky.
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u/yeezy3001700 2d ago
Why do you want to join the APS?? Haven’t you heard about the pay offer they put forward recently after bargaining??
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u/frivolous_foi_047 1d ago
I joined as an APS4 straight from private. My pay dropped by about 40%! As I was out of work for almost a year, I was quite happy to take the job. Also, joining the APS was a strategic decision because I was getting old and wanted the stability and security. But I was very confident that I'd make my way in no time to areas and roles more relevant to my experience. Within a year I scored an APS6 job (out of the 3 separate merit pools that I successfully applied for). I'm now using some of my prior experience and skills. Still far below my previous pay, but slowly getting there.
The thing is, private sector roles don't always neatly map 1-to-1 into public sector equivalents. You might tick the baseline skill sets, but you have to consider the overall public policy and legislative context. That was the thing that struck me the most and which took some effort to get used to. I'd never read so much policy and legislation material in my life!
Is it really possible to switch to an equivalent or, at least, nearest equivalent role from private to public? Yes, it is. Many have done this. It depends on the role and the agency or department. Although the pay parity is what you're likely to give up.
Right now DSS is hiring for a comms account manager at EL1. Hundreds of people with private sector experience could meet the JD. But how would their experiences translate into a government setting? The ATO is looking to hire a senior comms professional at APS6. Same thing.
The other option of getting in is to do what many of us did and jump on a bulk recruitment campaign. I can tell you, there were quite a few in my cohort who had deep professional backgrounds. Some even have PhD's.
Once you're in, you're in. That was the main thing for me. My tips are: write a really good pitch; follow the instructions in the the application pack carefully; practice your STAR.
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u/Accomplished-Sale315 18h ago
Don’t. It will destroy your soul and make you hate yourself eventually.
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u/UltimateFrisbeeCBR 3d ago
Are you clear on why do you want to be a public servant?
Is the logic of your career journey towards public service, and passion to serve the public, coming out in your applications?
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u/stacenatorX 2d ago
It’s poor timing. I got in to the APS from the VPS 12 years ago. Back then entry level positions were super easy to get. But for the past year and a half, there’s been major recruitment freezes all over. Now is a very challenging time to get into the APS. Look for high turnover entry level roles at the APS3/4 level in service delivery areas for a foot in the door. They’ll steal your soul but you’ll likely be able to move up and on within a few years and you can register for every s26 register there is. But just know that even if you do get in, the recruitment onboarding periods can be lengthy. My agency averages around 6-8 months for onboarding externals.
If you’re looking for security and stability the APS is great. If you’re looking for money, it is not.
We don’t even have basic things in the office like tea and coffee, tissues, cutlery in the kitchen or food of any kind provided at meetings, unless we bring it ourselves.
Pay increases are few and far between and not in line with CPI.
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u/Electrical_Intern1 2d ago
Getting into right department is the key.! Might get little less but peace is priceless.!
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u/Anish2811 2d ago
It’s difficult to get in and we’re getting pay cuts left right and centre. Why even join?
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u/duplicitous-flame 2d ago
oh wow I didn’t know that was going on, can you share some insight?
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u/lifetimer 1d ago
Have a look through this community. Its the posts with all the red tags, containing all our pissed off comments. Youll soon get the drift.
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u/HelloTaleproof 3d ago
If you're not reaching interviews, start with one application rather than changing how you speak in interviews. Put the advertised requirements beside your pitch and mark where each is supported by a concrete example. A STAR structure can still leave the panel guessing about your responsibility, the complexity of the work, or how the result relates to this role. Ask someone familiar with the advertised level to review that mapping, not just the writing.
Taleproof can help you examine the evidence in an individual story, while the role requirements should guide what you include.
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u/SaltyTar0 2d ago
If you're trying to get into a project/program role those jobs are in crazy demand and usually someone in-house is selected.
Depending on why you're looking to join the public service go for a 4 role, I've seen 4s that are competant move up to acting 5/6 roles within a year.
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u/millennielle_ 2d ago
Apply for all APS 3 and APS 4 EA positions. They generally run bulk rounds and there is always demand for more EAs. Once you are in, it will be easier for you to move around and find a role that more tightly aligns with your expertise and goals. You’ll also pick up a lot of APS craft and knowledge by working with decent SES. I got into the APS around 7 years ago as an APS 3 EA and have since worked my way up to EL1.
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u/Agitated-Check7994 2d ago
Are you addressing the selection criteria? As someone who was on interview panels when working in the PS, it surprised me how many people don't, when it's a requirement. Those applications get rejected straight away.
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u/EagleFang43 2d ago
Honestly it’s tough out there at the moment so try not to get too discouraged. I have many years of experience in the APS and have recently (in the last few months) been knocked back for 3 or 4 positions at level.
Like others have said, you (unfortunately) have to play the game and that involves STAR responses and being mindful of aligning work examples to the ILS etc. However, if you are doing that and not getting to the interview stage, it’s probably just a numbers game, particularly for positions that might get a significant number of applications.
I would say too, having been on a few panels, that the 500 word application limit (which seems to have become more common lately) can make it harder. While it’s great as an applicant to only have to write 500 words, it doesn’t give you an opportunity to say a whole lot or differentiate yourself from other applicants.
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u/EmpressOfM4rs 2d ago
Apply for grad programs it’s strange to me that people from the private sector want to work for the public service they’re incredibly backwards in terms of culture, pay and you can only get promoted if someone leaves a role or dies. So working your ass off isn’t going to get you one of these promotions that people are talking about.
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u/Efficient-Trifle151 5h ago
Ditto with other comments i had 7 years in a mix of not for private and NFP and secured an APS3 and then a few weeks later secured an APS4 role and now acting 5 and thinking of going for the 6 that just advertised. Its a different journey for all and i was in a place i could bite the bullet and take the pay cut although mine wouldnt be as drastic as yours by the sounds of things
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u/jezebeljoygirl 2d ago
If I were you I would pay for a relevant service to review/advise/write your application. There is one I learned about from Reddit called 3thirty (no affiliation, I just subscribe to their emails)
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u/OkLawyer2046 3d ago
Step 1: Be mates with someone who's high up in a Department and get them to nepo you in
Step 2: S27 over to whatever department you actually want to work at
Step 3: ?????
Step 4: Profit
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u/Mediocre_Syrup8979 2d ago
You need a cow ring in your nose, pink hair, vote Labor or greens, and promise to complain if you have to work more than 36 hours a week from home.
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u/Gary_for_moleman 3d ago
Aside from the fact that it's more difficult to get into the APS than it has been for years, what level are you applying for? I know a number of people coming in from private who just assumed they should be EL2 because the job description "matched what they do and the pay is about the same". If you really want to get in, try aiming lower and working your way up, or get in as a contractor.