Table of Contents
Introduction
Why a fourth edition?
Who is this book for?
Three key points to grasp
Job applications are exercises in managing meaning
Setting the Scene
A public service job-What does that mean?
How does an outsider learn about the APS?
Part One: Employability Mindset
Chapter One: Building an employability mindset
Employability versus being employed
Sense-making during the application cycle
Awareness of what's going on in our mental pantry
Being skilled at managing meaning
Feeding our minds for fruitful results
Part Two: Preparation and Research
Chapter Two: Understanding the process
The selection process-merit based
Recruitment and selection processes vary
Public Service Gazette
Information kit
The central role of selection criteria
The selection team
Short-listing
Interviews
Other selection methods
Making a decision
The offer
Appeals
Checks
Feedback
Chapter Three: Two methods to improve your application preparation
Regular résumé updates
Work diary
Chapter Four: How to read sixteen details in a job advertisement
Name of the agency
Sub-unit
Location
Job title
Classification
Salary
Position Number
Agency information
Requirements
Eligibility
Conditions of service
Assessment methods
Selection documentation
Contact Officer
Submitting an application
Closing date
Chapter Five: Research: Five ways to find out more about an agency and job
Agency web site
Staff
Related web sites
Wider reading
Contact Officer
Chapter Six: Identifying what you have to offer-skills and results
Stock take time
'But I don't have any skills'
Keep your stock take current
Capabilities sought by the APS
Know what results you produce
Part Three The Application
Chapter Seven: The four parts of your application
Cover sheet
The covering letter
The résumé
Statement of claims to the selection criteria
Chapter Eight: Fourteen techniques for writing a quality statement to selection criteria
Respond to key words in the criteria
Address all parts of each selection criterion
Stick to the wording
Interpret the fit between the criteria and duties
Avoid statements of belief or claims without evidence
Write an evidence-based response
Be results-oriented
Pitch to the level of the job
Watch your verbs
Restrict the use of universals
Use short, direct, active sentences
Use good English
Take care with layout
Use variety in how you start your response to a criterion
Chapter Nine: How to help your referees give you a useful report
Preparing a written report
Privacy laws
Thinking like your supervisor
Example of a referee report
Chapter Ten: Values-based management in the public sector
APS Values and Code of Conduct
Relationship with Government and Parliament
Government Policies
Workplace diversity
Unlawful discrimination and harassment
Participative work practices
Occupational health and safety
Personal behaviour
Relationships with the public
Responding to a criterion
Chapter Eleven: Putting it all together-A case study
Part Four: Interview Preparation
Chapter Twelve: Thinking about the interview-challenging some myths
Are you willing to put in the effort?
What is an interview?
Myths about interviews
Content and process
What you say is vital
Responses rather than answers
Chapter Thirteen: Thirteen strategies for building interview confidence
Common fears about interviews
Ask yourself three questions
Challenge irrational thoughts
Your definition of success
Reframing
Change nervous mannerisms
Anticipate questions
Practice your responses
Breathing
Mental rehearsal
Use affirmations
Place your attention externally
Take documentation and note paper
Develop your public speaking skills
Chapter Fourteen: The art of self-promotion
Become accustomed to speaking in the first person
Remove self put-downs from your language
Think benefits rather than features
Chapter Fifteen: Talking about yourself
Talking about your strengths
Talking about your achievements
Introducing yourself
Talking about your 'weaknesses'
Talking about your mistakes
Remember: you are the expert
--- Part Five: The Interview
Chapter Sixteen: Performing at the interview
What can you expect?
What if you know people on the panel?
The role of scribes
Building rapport with you
Building rapport with the selection team
Talking to the level of the position
Using your voice
Work on your oral communication skills
Impression management
A word about telephone interviews
Chapter Seventeen: How to handle eight types of questions
Opening questions
General questions
Specifically worded questions
Behaviour-based questions
Hypothetical questions
Tricky questions
Closing questions
Final summary
Part Six: Post-Selection Process
Chapter Eighteen: After the interview
Make a record of interview
Obtain feedback
Dealing with rejection
Feeding your mind for fruitful results
Part Seven: Additional Information
Chapter Nineteen: Graduate recruitment programs
How to gather application-useful information
Chapter Twenty: Applying for jobs in state, territory and local governments
Victoria
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Local Government
Chapter Twenty One: Applying this book's ideas to the private sector
Appendix I: Frequently asked questions
Appendix II: Selection team checklist
Appendix III: More information about the author
List of shortened forms
Glossary
Notes
References
Index
List of Tables
Table 1: Outline of key stages in filling an advertised vacancy
Table 2: Senior Executive Leadership Capability Framework
Table 3: Your talent warehouse
Table 4: 180 Specific verbs for addressing selection criteria
Table 5: The Values of the Australian Public Service
Table 6: The Code of Conduct of the Australian Public Service
Table 7: Some generic questions
Table 8: Interview affirmations
Table 9: Your interview checklist
List of Diagrams
Diagram 1: The application cycle
Diagram 2: The agency hierarchy
Diagram 3: Your features and benefits
List of Examples
Example 1: Typical layout of a job application
Example 2: Referee report
Example 3: Duty statement
Example 4: Selection criteria
Example 5: Covering letter
Example 6: Statement against selection criteria
Example 7: Revised covering letter
Example 8: Revised statement against selection criteria
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