| Let's just get this out of the way now - I'm | | | | selection criteria as best you can. You could |
| not a fan of the public service. | | | | well be competing with thousands of people |
| | | | for certain advertised positions. |
| You see, in my book Job Secrets Revealed I | | | | |
| try to teach that there are no rules when | | | | When you are interviewed it will probably be |
| you're applying for jobs. This isn't true in | | | | a panel interview of about 3 people. (Private |
| the public service. They have a rule for | | | | companies usually have one person do the |
| everything, including how to apply, what to | | | | interviewing - starting to see what I mean |
| say and how to say it. | | | | about public service not wanting to save |
| | | | money?) |
| The public service isn't noted for its | | | | |
| customer service or expense reduction | | | | The fact is that the public service is so |
| abilities, so if you want to work for them | | | | regulated by rules that you simply have to |
| then you are in for a battle. The fact is | | | | play THEIR game. Talk to some people in the |
| that they have "selection criteria" which you | | | | department you want to work for. Have a chat |
| must meet. Generally there will be an address | | | | with the personnel officer and see what |
| for you to write to get a list of these | | | | they're looking for and mention speaking to |
| criteria. | | | | them on the application (who is usually in |
| | | | the area of the unfilled position.) |
| Once you have this list, simply organize your | | | | |
| experiences and skills that match the | | | | Also - in order to save you time, check if |
| criteria. Make it easy for the personnel | | | | the position is in fact vacant: many |
| department by writing down the individual | | | | advertised positions are already filled by |
| criterion as a heading and then show how your | | | | ?temporary? or ?acting? public servants who |
| skills match the criteria. You?re marked on | | | | are being put through a formalized process of |
| how closely to the selection criteria you | | | | having their position advertised ? thereby |
| respond. Similarly, if you make it to a | | | | ensuring equity when they apply for their own |
| shortlisted interview, your responses are | | | | position they may have been acting in for |
| similarly marked and then plotted on a grid | | | | years. |
| with your written application. | | | | |
| | | | Unfortunately you're pretty much on your own |
| As you can see, the public service is a | | | | on this one. Prayer, crossing your fingers, |
| totally different animal to private | | | | networking and even dumb luck may get you the |
| enterprise. Customer service isn't as crucial | | | | job. I'd try them all. |
| here as it is private enterprise, and the | | | | |
| desire to make a profit or save money isn't | | | | I'm going to leave it here with the public |
| as strong. | | | | service. But before you start thinking "But |
| | | | he hasn't told me what to do", let me say |
| What I'm trying to say is that the savings or | | | | this: I don't have to. The selection criteria |
| profit-making ideas you may have that would | | | | will do that for you. |
| really interest an employer in the private | | | | |
| sector may be met with a yawn in the public | | | | If you are particularly skilled at |
| sector. | | | | negotiating or lobbying for budget increases |
| | | | or more funding, that may help. Every |
| With this in mind try to address the | | | | department would love more money. |