How we recruit

Our recruitment processes help you to show how you are the person best suited to the job and the agency.

Our recruitment processes generally include 7 stages, from application, to employment offer and talent pooling.

Application

The application is a chance for you to show how your skills, knowledge and abilities are suited to the job.

The job ad and information package will give you instructions on what to put in your application. You will usually submit:

• a cover letter detailing why you are right for the job
• an up-to-date resume listing your work experience and other relevant information

You might also be asked submit a short response to 1 or 2 targeted questions.

Essential requirements

We may ask if you meet an essential requirement for the job. This is something you must have, otherwise you cannot progress. These are usually things like:

• holding a qualification
• having a driver's licence when driving is a key part of the job.

Get more tips on writing your application on our Writing your job application page.

Assessments and interviews

After we review all applications, we will let you know if you will progress to the assessment stage.

Assessment processes are often different. We structure them according to:

• the type of job
• number of jobs available
• number of people who may apply.
• We use at least 3 different assessments to help you to show you can do the job and use 2 main approaches to structure our assessment processes.

Types of assessments

All our assessment processes involve at least one interview. Other assessments vary depending on the job and what is being assessed.

The main types of assessments you will be asked to do may include interviews, psychological assessments, work samples and skills tests.

Preparing for assessments

Give yourself the best opportunity to show how you suit the job. Before your assessments you should:

• Review the role description:

  • become familiar with all aspects of the job
  • be ready to describe your interest in the role or in working for the agency or the NSW Public Service.
• Review your previous work (paid and volunteer) and study experiences. Have relevant examples and situations that you can draw on to respond to questions.
• Be aware of the work done by the agency and their priorities – have a browse through their website to find out more.
• Tell us about any adjustments you may need for the assessment process.
• Use the Capability application tool to prepare for the interview

Referee checks

If you are one of the candidates most suited to the job, we will contact your referees. These help us to find out a bit more about your past performance and confirm your suitability for the job.

We will ask your permission to contact your referees before we do the checks. It’s worth contacting them at this point to:

• let them know you have progressed through the assessments
• make sure they will do the check
• send them the role description to help them talk about how your previous work relates to the job.

Pre-employment checks

We need to do screening checks to confirm certain things about you. These may include:

• working with children checks
• criminal history checks
• employment history checks
• qualification checks
• confirming your right to work in Australia.

We will tell you about the checks that apply to the job and we will ask you to consent to these checks before we do them.

Selection decision

We use all the information we collect to compare candidates and make our decision. We will tell you if you are successful or not or we may offer you a place in a talent pool.

If you are the successful candidate, well done! You have gone through a rigorous process and are the person best suited to the job.

Missing out on the job

If you miss out on the job, we encourage you to keep looking and applying.

Some things that might help you get a job in the NSW Public Service in the future include:

• Ask for feedback. This is a good way to find out:

  • your strengths and opportunities
  • areas to focus on in the future
  • different approaches you could take
  • your capabilities, knowledge and experience compared to the successful candidate.

• Get some career advice, training or mentoring to help you:

  • write your application and resume
  • identify jobs suited to your skill set
  • help develop your capabilities
  • assist with interview and other assessment techniques.
• Relate your skills, experience and passion to the specific job.

Employment offer

If you are the successful candidate, we will:

• contact you to make sure you want the job
• discuss and agree on the conditions of your employment
• ask you if you need workplace adjustments to help you do the job
• talk about other arrangements like flexible working
• make you a formal offer of employment (in writing).

Talent pool

Even if you are not the successful candidate, we may offer you a place in a talent pool.

If you gain a place in a talent pool, well done! This means you have met the job requirements and may be considered for similar jobs for up to 18 months.