Application Process & Interviews at Department of Education

Asked questions related to my experiences and some technical questions.

You first apply by sending in your resume and answering several questions about why you would like to work in government. Following this, there are psychometric tests and then a panel interview. Going through the legal graduate stream, the interview involves showing up an hour early (online) and doing a written exercise. You then talk about your answer in the written exercise during the interview and other general job interview questions are asked. Following this interview, you are put in a merit pool and any department may choose you. The department of education then contacted me and organised a further interview with three people from the legal division.

Took a very long time.

I completed an online application, psychometric testing, had a panel interview and written task, then I received an offer. Overall, it took just under 4 months from my initial application to receive my offer.

I entered through the Generalist Stream of the Grad Program which is an Aus Gov initiative not specific to the Department of Education. There was an initial application round including a short essay about why you want to work for the Australian Public Service. After that round, there were online psychometric tests (both cognitive performance and socioemotional testing). Then there was an interview with 3 panel members. They asked 3 set questions and then I did a pre-prepared Powerpoint presentation on APS Reform. I then had to complete a written task on the same subject. Once I made it through that stage, I was asked to provide preferences from a list of 8-10 government departments, and references were checked. I was placed in a Merit Pool, and the Department of Education selected me (my first preference!). This process began in around March-April, interviewed in June, and I had signed my contract by around Oct-Nov.

Hard to say - graduate recruitment was done through a whole of APS drive.

For entry into the generalist stream, I had to complete a series of tasks: - Application processes (small entry essay, logic puzzles, emotional perception puzzles, etc.) - Conduct a 10-minute presentation on the one of the APS reforms - A traditional job interview with a panel - Complete a 45-minute unseen writing task given to me on the spot after the interview

I think that the assessments and interview process was in line with other interview processes across other federal department graduate programs.

The process was exceptionally long.

Very well organised interview process and onboarding process. Far more efficient than other places I have worked at.

Lengthy and detailed but also adequate.

Initial written assessment criteria and tests were similar to other graduate programs I applied to. The interview was via Skype which made sense from a money-saving perspective but this was different to other jobs I applied for which involved face-to-face interviews and assessment centres. I think for inter-state applicants coming to Canberra for an assessment centre might have made the idea of moving to Canberra for a job more 'real'. I think numerous interstate grads will move back home at the end of the grad program and perhaps this number could be reduced by holding interviews in Canberra. Also a lot can be learned from assessment centre where recruitment teams can see applicants working in a real team environment.

I enjoyed my interview a lot. The interview panel made me feel very comfortable from the very beginning which helped me to talk openly about my skills, knowledge and experiences.

I appreciated that Education was one of the few departments that did not have "assessment centres" but instead conducted most of the recruitment process online.

A cognitive test followed by two written assessments and a skype interview.

Psychometric testing, online in-tray assessment and writing task, Skype interview.

Online examinations, interviews

The process involved responding to selection criteria and submitting a resume, completing a few tests that tested the ability to synthesize information and develop policy recommendations and then completed a Skype interview.

The interview process was relatively painless compared to other agencies. The assessments were refreshingly different and the interviewers were extremely lovely. It was also very easy to set up interview times and online processes, unlike other agencies.

To be improved.

Asked questions related to my experiences and some technical questions.

I was asked to relay a time I had to see something from another person's perspective/deal with conflict (can't remember the exact wording). I was asked to relay a time I had to take on feedback. I was asked about what I was looking to learn from the Grad program.

We were asked to present on the Thodey Review (APS Reform)

I mostly remember questions about working in a team and managing conflict.

We had to do a presentation on the APS Reform but I don't remember specific questions.

Mostly questions based on scenarios or past experiences and how I would respond in certain situations.

General background about me. Then examples of: achieving goals in a team, a time I failed and what I learnt from it, why I chose Dept. of Education and Training, why diversity was important to me.

The interview panel asked me behavioural questions and wanted me to explore each answer by giving examples from my past experience.

I was asked generic behavioral questions linked to leadership, problem solving and reasons for joining the department.

Why I wanted to work at Education and what I can offer Time management skills Problem solving skills Overcoming difficult situation

I was asked how I worked with diverse groups of people to achieve great outcomes, I was asked about my organisational skills and I was asked about my written and oral communication skills.

Generic questions i.e. about my motivations and how I handled stress.

I applied for a specific stream, so I was asked questions related to my field of study

I can't remember but broadly they were based on the selection criteria, team work, integrity

Questions mostly reflected the selection criteria, albeit in slightly different combinations. They definitely asked what I thought the department did.

I was asked questions around values of the department in regards to honesty/transparency, equity and diversity etc and asked to provide examples of situations where I have had to display these values.

Behavioural questions that encouraged the use of the STAR method (Situation-Task-Action-Result).

Describe situations when you effectively problem solved, worked in a team, communicated with others etc.

Mainly about why I wanted to be a part of the program and why I was suited to the role.

examples of being able to liase with different stakeholders examples of dealing with difficult situations

The best way to prepare is to do a lot of practice. For the psychometric tests, I did as many practice tests as I could, and for the interview I spent a long time practicing questions and preparing answers to interview questions. For the written assessment, I think the best thing is to not worry about it too much and simply use the skills that you have to answer the question.

Read the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) for the APS level of the position you're applying for.

There is little preparation you can do for the kind of psychometric testing you are given. This testing seems to be a random-filtering-of-applicants stage rather than a true test of your capability, so all you can do is try your best, and try not to stress too much. For the interview, I would recommend taking the list of the APS Values and come up with a list of experience examples that you can talk about for each one (using the STAR method specifically!). I would also highly recommend considering more basic interview questions, like "what will you bring to the department"/"what do you want to take away from the experience?" as I was thrown by that last question. There are also some useful documents out there with lists of example questions for the APS if you look for them.

Use the STAR method - give examples of situations, tasks, actions, and results.

Make sure you are fairly fast at processing and synthesising information. Try to connect with others who have worked in a government position (at any level/department) to understand some of the priorities and specifics.

I think you need to be confident in yourself and make sure that you communicate clearly using the STAR method. I prepared by thinking though some scenarios in past workplaces that I could use to answer questions about strengths, weaknesses, team work, communication.

use the STAR method for answering the interview questions

Familiarise yourself with the APS values and the Department's purpose.

Learn as much as possible about the department and think about their past experiences, challenges in the work place and at university and how they overcame them.

Use the APS Integrated Leadership System (ILS) and the desired performance measures E.g. 'achieves results', 'communicates with influence', etc. and shape specific examples of how you have and will demonstrate these behaviours. Have an answer for why you want to work there and when they ask if you have any questions, ask about their day-to-day work and activities and why they like working there - make them sell it to you.

Prepare a list of examples you would like to mention to showcase your experience. These can be from your university experience, any kind of job you did in the past or even any kind of community involvement, volunteering experience etc.

Familiarise yourself with the department's goals and values, and make sure you always have the APS integrated leadership system behavioural outcomes in your mind when you are responding to questions. Each question the interviewer asks you aims to test whether you have a specific trait or skillset that they desire, and they are usually pulled out of the 'ILS'.

Understand why they want to contribute to the education system in Australia and in what capacity.

Interview questions are mostly behavioural so have answers prepared for a diverse range of situations.

Just relax

I would suggest that applicants read about the department and its priorities as well as the generic APSC documents like the APS Values and the Integrated Leadership System.

Be genuine and enthusiastic

Know what the Department does (and doesn't) do!

Be yourself and be genuine.

Really identify what your strengths and weaknesses are as an individual, don't be afraid to acknowledge you have some things to work on, use examples when you explain your strengths or abilities relating to occupational skills.