How to Find a Job in the Public Service?
December 2003
1. Jobs Open to the Public
You can view the various positions open to the public at: www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca. There, you will find a list of positions available to all Canadians, whatever their place of residence "Jobs with no geographic restriction", a complete list of jobs available across Canada organized by category and geographic region "All jobs listed by category", and "Executive positions".
Naturally, you have to check the listings of positions available on a regular basis. However, the www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca site offers an attractive alternative: with Job Alert you can automatically receive notices about positions that interest you. You can register free of charge, and the system will do a search for jobs that best match the key words you provide and advise you of any attractive opportunities by e-mail.
2. Post-Secondary Recruitment
You have a chance to apply for various kinds of jobs that reflect your field of study. When you provide the relevant information on your academic qualifications, the system will review available career choices and make a list matching your particular background.
You can then view the various available choices and select the ones that interest you. You can check the www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca site at any time for further information on post-secondary recruitment.
3. Information Technology Recruitment
The Public Service Commission of Canada has many openings in the IT area. Whether you prefer to work in a small agency or a big department, the federal public service offers you a unique chance to make your personal contribution and play a creative role in a work environment equipped with the latest technology. The Public Service Commission of Canada recruits computer specialists for many federal departments and agencies in all regions of the country. With nearly 11,000 members, the computer specialist (CS) group is unquestionably the fastest growing occupational group in the federal public service.
The Public Service Commission of Canada recruits computer specialists for many federal departments and agencies in all regions of the country. With nearly 11,000 members, the computer specialist (CS) group is unquestionably the fastest growing occupational group in the federal public service.
4. Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)
The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) enables federal departments and agencies to recruit students for some 8,000 temporary student jobs every year.
FSWEP gives full-time secondary school, CÉGEP, college, technical institute and university students fair and equal access to student jobs offered by the Public Service of Canada and opportunities to learn about the federal government and gain valuable experience while developing and improving their employability skills.
5. Post-secondary Co-operative Education and Internship Programs
The Public Service of Canada has recognized the benefits of co-operative education initiatives and continues to be the biggest employer of students participating in co operative education (Co-op) and internship programs in Canada.
Working with educational institutions, the Public Service of Canada plays a leading role in enabling these students to acquire practical, relevant work experience while achieving the objectives of their academic programs.
If you are a post-secondary student and would like more information about post-secondary co-operative education and internship programs, check out www.jobs.gc.ca.
6. Management Trainee Program
The Management Trainee Program (MTP) recruits and trains highly qualified applicants for management positions in the federal public service: it affords talented graduates and promising employees a chance to become leaders in a representative and diversified public service.
This program makes it possible to build up work experience on assignments in federal departments and agencies. It also includes an academic component to round out the experience acquired on the job. These theory courses emphasize the basic knowledge and skills needed by federal managers in a general context of broader issues such as the function of government, policy development, service to the public, and values and ethics. By the end of this four-year program, management trainees will have acquired all the qualifications they need to hold middle management positions.
7. Accelerated Economist Training Program
If you aspire to a leading role in Canadian government policy, the Accelerated Economist Training Program (AETP) is for you. The AETP offers top candidates with master's degrees in economics, public administration or a related discipline a chance to work alongside the country's chief decision makers on the development of social, economic and international policies.
This two-year program includes four stimulating six-month assignments in central agencies or participating departments, which will enable you to gain extremely diversified work experience, especially in the field of policy analysis. The importance attached to coaching, practical training and teamwork has helped many participants to develop truly rewarding careers at the federal level. If you want to do your share for Canada's future, why not begin at the top?
8. Positions Offered by Employment Agencies
It can sometimes be difficult to find a position or program that meets your needs and you may want a quick start. A good way of building up work experience in the federal public service might be to offer your services through an employment agency. You will find employment agencies in your local telephone directory under Employment Agencies or Personnel Consultants.
These firms act as intermediaries between job seekers and various employers, including the Government of Canada. Every agency operates differently but there is nothing to stop you from contacting a number of them.
Employment agencies maintain a bank of applicants, and when temporary positions open up in the Public Service of Canada the agencies contact the people who best match the stated criteria for these positions. The advantage of employment agencies is that you can work temporarily in various departments and agencies and get a better overall picture of the federal public service that will help you to make informed decisions later on.
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