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So, you're thinking of working for the federal government!
A guide on how to apply for a job in the federal Public
Service
The federal government consists of many organizations, including those
which are part of the Public Service, Crown corporations, the Canadian Forces,
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and various other types of organizations.
This guide is intended primarily to assist those who wish to apply for jobs
in the federal public service.
Why join the federal public service?
How to find out about current job openings
The Application Process
Tips and Suggestions on Applying
How to Get Ready for the Job Interview
The Interview Itself
Checklist of Things to Remember
Why join the federal public service?
The Public Service of Canada offers a wide variety of employment opportunities
in many fields and areas of specialization. Whether you prefer to work in an
office or outdoors, in a rural area or a large urban centre, you're likely
to find something that matches your unique talents. Plus, you'll have the opportunity
to make a difference in the lives of your fellow Canadians from coast to coast.
Along with interesting work, the federal public service offers attractive benefits
and working conditions: flexible work arrangements, access to continuous learning,
a commitment to employment equity, on-the-job training, comprehensive benefits,
and so much more.
This guide will help you understand the process involved in applying for positions
with the federal public service. It will look at where the jobs are advertised,
who can apply, and how to submit an application. The guide will also provide
tips and suggestions on how to be selected for further consideration and on
competing successfully.
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How to find out about current job openings
- Visit the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Canada's Web site (jobs.gc.ca)
and click on Jobs Open to the Public to check out the detailed job advertisements for available opportunities.
- http://canada.gc.ca/depts/major/depind_e.html provides direct links to the primary Web sites of Government of Canada departments, agencies and Crown corporations, as well as links to Web sites maintained by organizations for which various departments and agencies are responsible.
- Review these advertisements at least once a day. Some positions are only posted
for 48 hours, so it's wise to check the Web site often to see what's available.
- On the jobs.gc.ca Web site, you have the option of setting up an
automatic e-mail notification system. This system automatically sends e-mail
notifications of new job openings that match your specific interests and
requirements. Therefore, in addition to checking the jobs.gc.ca Web
site on a regular basis, check your e-mail daily.
- If you are a university graduate, you should also click on Post-Secondary
Recruitment (PSR) on the jobs.gc.ca Web site. There, you will
find all the details (how to apply, test information, career choices, and
much more) on this national initiative to recruit new and recent post-secondary
graduates for entry-level positions in the federal public service.
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The Application Process
Who can apply
It's important to check the Who Can Apply section on each job advertisement,
to ensure that you're eligible. Please note that you may be eligible to apply
based on where you reside or where you are employed (if you are a student,
you are eligible to apply based on the location of your permanent residence
and of the educational institution you attend.)
How to apply for a position
Applying on-line
- At the bottom of the advertisement, "Apply Now" is an active hyperlink which allows you to apply directly. The main method to apply for a job with the Public Service of Canada is on-line. It's easy!
- The link “Apply Now” will require you to login to your file in the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) or if you do not have an account, you will be directed to create one. Once you have entered your login information, you can apply on-line to job opportunities that meet your merit criteria, you can create a profile to match jobs currently advertised, view the status of your application, or view your scheduled tests or test results.
- To avoid risk of virus infection, we do not accept e-mail attachments.
- You may apply to jobs currently advertised only. Unsolicited applications will not be considered.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS VIA THE PAGE NAVIGATOR "CONTACT US" BUTTON!
Internet Access
- If you do not have Internet access in your home or through friends, relatives or neighbours, some suggested alternate locations are: campus career centres, libraries, community centres, Internet cafés, Canada/Student Employment Centres and Public Service Commission regional offices.
- On-line applications must be received by the closing date indicated on the job advertisement.
- Applicants may also call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232), or TTY at 1 800 926-9105, for information on the nearest public internet access location.
- If after trying these options and you still cannot access the Internet, please call toll free 1 888 780-4444; or toll free TTY/TDD 1 800 465-7735 (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired and speech impaired persons); or the nearest PSC office.
Note: The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages persons to be assessed to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or, a member of a visible minority group.
Alternate Methods To Apply
- Under exceptional circumstances, the organization responsible for this advertisement, may provide you with an alternative off-line method of submitting your application. Exceptional circumstances would include instances when it is necessary to accommodate a person with a disability in order to provide barrier free access. These circumstances could also include instances when there is no internet service provider in the community where the applicant resides or works, and accessing the internet to apply would be unreasonable due to the travelling required.
- Applicants requiring an alternate method for submitting their application should contact the responsible organization by the closing date of the advertisement.
- For certain job advertisements, applications sent by mail, fax or delivered in person may be accepted. Please read the content of the advertisement carefully for details to that effect.
Job Requirements
When applying on-line, please ensure that either your résumé (see
section below) or the section of the electronic application (such as Requirements
Needed or Text – Essay) contains information that demonstrates how
you meet the various requirements listed on the job advertisement. If you fail
to clearly
demonstrate that you meet the requirements, your application may be rejected.
Résumé
- Your résumé is a marketing tool that provides a snapshot
of how your skills and experience can help the hiring department or agency
to meet its objectives. While you may have the required merit criteria and
experience for a particular position, it's up to you to demonstrate it. That's
why it's important for your résumé to make a clear connection
between the job requirements listed on the advertisement and your previous experience.
Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected.
- The more you know about the duties and skills required for the job - and
organize your résumé around these points - the more effective
your résumé will be. In addition to reading the job advertisement
carefully, you can also click on the Statement of Merit Criteria to
obtain a more detailed description of the job requirements. These are usually
listed under such headings as: education, official language proficiency,
experience, knowledge, abilities/skills, personal suitability, assets, operational needs, organizational needs, conditions
of work, and professional or occupational certification. For more details,
see section entitled Review the Statement of
Merit Criteria (position
requirements).
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Tips and Suggestions on Applying
Now that we've discussed where to find advertisements for employment opportunities
in the federal public service, and how to apply for them, here are some useful
tips and suggestions for increasing your chances of getting a job.
If you went to school outside of Canada
- If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates
and/or diplomas evaluated against Canadian education standards. This will
enable you to provide proof of Canadian equivalency when applying for a job
in the federal public service. The federal public service will accept any Foreign
Educational Credentials that are considered acceptable by a recognized
Canadian educational institution.
- Getting a Canadian equivalency is easier than it sounds. The Canadian
Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) assists
persons who wish to obtain an assessment of their educational, professional,
and occupational credentials by referring them to the appropriate organizations.
- The CICIC does not itself grant equivalencies or assess credentials, nor
does it intervene on behalf of individuals or in complaints to PSST. The CICIC can be
contacted at www.cicic.ca. Their Web site provides links to a number
of Canadian organizations that provide equivalency assessments. As well,
you may contact the CICIC at:
95 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 1106
Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1N6
Tel: 416-962-9725
Fax: 416-962-2800
E-mail: info@cicic.ca
Applicant testing and assessment
- The Public Service Commission of Canada has a bank of tests that are commonly
used to assess certain merit criteria. These include the General
Administration Test (GAT), the General
Competency Test (GCT), and the Office
Skills Test (OST). Information on these and other tests can be found
on the PSC Web site (www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc/assessment_pg2_e.htm).
- Testing may be used in combination with other methods of assessment. The
following is a sample of some commonly used assessment tools:
Skill Tests : these assess specific skills, such as typing or welding
Written Tests or Exercises : to assess your knowledge and/or abilities
Interviews : you could be interviewed by one person and/or a panel
Situational Questions : how would you handle a given situation?
Behaviour-based Questions : how did you behave under particular circumstances?
Simulation : a real work situation is replicated
Presentations : you are asked to make a job-related presentation
Role Playing : you are asked to play a particular role, such as a supervisor,
to show how you interact with others
Work Samples : you have the opportunity to show examples of your past
work
Review of Performance Evaluations : your past performance evaluations
could be looked at
Reference Checks : your "references" may
be contacted to confirm your background
Job interview
Note: The Public Service of Canada is committed to developing inclusive,
barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted regarding
an appointment process, please advise the departmental official of the accommodation
measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable
manner. Complete details concerning accommodation is provided in the policy
on Duty to Accommodate Persons with Disabilities in the federal public service
at the following site: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/TB_852/ppaed_e.asp
The interview is a very important event. To increase your chances of having
a positive interview, you must prepare yourself carefully to ensure that your
knowledge, abilities and experience are communicated clearly to the employer.
There are many different types of appointment processes and job interview techniques.
- A job interview in the federal public service usually follows a pre-determined
structure.
- You can expect to be interviewed by an assessment board,
often consisting of two or three people. The board may include a hiring manager
(from the relevant department or agency) and/or an expert in the field for
which you are applying, plus a Human Resources representative.
- The assessment process may involve more than one interview. Once
the interview or interviews are finished, the interviewers (assessment
board) meet to make their hiring decision.
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How to Get Ready for the Job Interview
Find out about the department or agency
Find out as much as you can about the department or agency that has granted
you the interview.
This will show that you have initiative, are truly interested in the work
the organization does, and understand the services it provides. This information
will be useful throughout the interview process, and will help you decide what
questions to ask the assessment board. Here are some ways of getting information:
- Visit the Government of Canada Web site (www.canada.gc.ca) and click
on Departments and Agencies to
get a direct link to the site of the federal department or agency of your
choice. The site will provide you with
extensive information about the organization, including its:
- Mission Statement
- Mandate
- Programs and Services
- Minister
- You can also get information from departmental or agency publications,
such as annual reports, program brochures and promotional material. Most
of these documents are readily available from the reception areas of federal
departments and agencies, from their Communications Division, from bookstores
carrying government publications, or from your local public library.
- Here
are some questions to consider when conducting your research:
- What is the
history of the department or agency?
- What is the product or service offered
by the department or agency?
- How many people does the department or agency employ?
- What challenges or issues is the department or agency currently facing?
- What new technologies does the department or agency use?
- How does the department or agency relate to the federal government
in general?
- What are the major activities of the department or agency?
- Is the department or agency often in the news? If yes, why? Is the
coverage positive or negative?
- What are the future plans of the department or agency?
Review the Statement of Merit Criteria (position requirements)
The Statement of Merit Criteria provides a detailed description of
the job requirements of the position for which you are applying. This document
is available either through a direct link on the Internet job advertisement
itself, or upon request from the department or agency. Keep in mind that you
should review the Statement of Merit Criteria closely. Doing so may
enable you to anticipate some of the questions you may be asked during the
interview and prepare your answers accordingly.
Think about questions you may be asked at the interview
Related to past work experience
- Briefly summarize your work experience to date.
- Explain more fully your responsibilities with your previous employer.
- What has been your major accomplishment?
- What are you the most proud of (may be professional or personal)?
- What is important to you in your work?
- What have you enjoyed the most? Least?
- Describe a problem situation in your past work experience and explain how
you resolved it.
Assessing your skills
- What are your major strengths?
- What are your major weaknesses? Your limitations?
- Why do you feel qualified for this job?
Your managerial strengths
- Describe your management style.
- As a manager, what would you look for when hiring people?
- What do you see as the most difficult task in being a manager?
- Why do you feel you have good potential to be a manager?
Your self-evaluation and motivation
- How would you describe yourself?
- What is it about our department/agency that attracts you?
- Why do you think we should hire you?
- Why are you seeking a change at this time?
Think about questions you may want to ask at the interview
At the end of the interview, most assessment boards allow enough time for
persons to ask their own questions. This is another opportunity for you to
make a good impression, so remember to:
- Prepare these questions ahead of time. This will show board members that
you have prepared for the interview.
- Tailor your questions to the department or agency with which you're having
the interview. Do some research on their Web site or in your local paper's
archives (see Find out about the department or
agency).
- Here are possible questions you may consider asking the assessment board:
- When
will you make a hiring decision?
- What do you see as the priorities for someone in this position?
- Could you describe a typical "day on the job"?
- What training programs are available to your employees?
- What level of responsibility could I expect in this position?
- What qualities do you look for in new employees?
- Is there a typical career path for a person in this position?
- How are employees evaluated and promoted?
- What are your department/agency's plans for the future?
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The Interview Itself
What to bring with you
Bring additional copies of your résumé, a list of references,
as well as samples of your recent work (if applicable). Make sure that you
contact all of your references ahead of time, in order to get their permission
and to let them know about the position for which you are applying.
Be on time
- Arrive on time for the interview.
- It's always a good idea to get the telephone number where you can contact
the interviewer(s) or the departmental Human Resources officer before the
interview, in case you are late. When you arrive, briefly explain to the
interviewer(s) the reason.
During the interview
The main purpose of a federal public service interview is to enable the interviewers
to assess your merit criteria. Here's what you can expect:
- The assessment board will ask you a series of questions, established
in advance, to measure merit criteria such as your knowledge, abilities/
skills, and personal suitability for the job.
- Your answers are given a rating (just as those of other applicants have
been rated). Once all references have been checked, the person
who is the right fit will be offered the job.
- The interview normally follows the same structure for each person interviewed,
to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and equitably.
- Obviously, the specific questions asked at interviews differ according
to the job being filled. However, here are some general tips on answering
interview questions:
- Organize your thoughts, either mentally or on a piece
of paper, to make sure that you cover all the important points.
- If you do not understand a question, ask the interviewers to repeat,
clarify or rephrase it.
- Mention all relevant information on the topic.
- If you definitely don't know the answer to a question, say so.
- Be brief and to the point.
- Answer carefully and honestly.
- Avoid being critical of past jobs and specific people.
- It's up to you to make sure that your knowledge, abilities and personal
qualities are clearly communicated to the interviewers. If you feel that
one of your strong points has not come across, point it out - but in a factual
way. Watch for an opening, and tell the interviewers about your supervisory
experience, your extracurricular activities, or whatever you'd like them
to know. You could also bring a sample of any outstanding work you have produced,
and present it to the interviewers if they are interested in seeing it.
Ending the interview
It's important to leave the interviewers with a positive impression of you,
no matter how well you feel the interview has gone. Here are some pointers:
- Remain confident and determined to the end. Each question the interviewers
ask is important, including the last one.
- Ensure that you are aware of all conditions of employment that apply to
the job (travelling, medical exam, security check, etc.). You may want to
discuss these conditions with the interviewers at the end of the interview.
- Ask when you will be notified of their decision. If it's not definite,
arrange to call them yourself.
- Watch for signs that the interview is coming to a close, and thank the
interviewers for their time and consideration. Do not overstay your welcome.
- Address the interviewers by name, if you are sure of their names.
After the interview
Whether or not you are successful in being chosen for the job, you can make
the interview a positive learning experience.
- Contact the Human Resources officer for feedback on how you did at the
interview.
- Ask for specific comments on your performance - both your strong points
and what you need to improve.
- Analyse information regarding deficiencies in your merit criteria, if any,
and determine how you can best "fill in the gap".
If you're not successful, don't be discouraged. And, most importantly, do
not take it personally! Your preparation before each interview, your
practice during the interview, and the feedback you receive after each interview
can only improve your future performance. Each interview is a learning experience.
Good luck!
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Checklist of Things to Remember
- Your application must be received on time.
- Your résumé should be brief; however, it should outline
all relevant requirements, such as your experience.
- Make sure that you provide all
relevant information requested in the job advertisement, for example, the
reference number, your citizenship, your language proficiency and, if applicable,
whether you're a member of a designated employment equity group.
- It is your responsibility to inform the Public Service Commission or the
department official in a timely fashion of any accommodation you require
to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information
received, relating to accommodations measures, will be addressed confidentially.
- If you went to school outside of Canada, you must include proof of Canadian
equivalency for your diplomas and/or certificates. For more information on
obtaining equivalencies, visit the Canadian Information Centre for International
Credentials Web site at: www.cicic.ca
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